DISCIPLESHIP: WHY DISCIPLE?

WHY SHOULD

A LOCAL

CHURCH INVEST

IN A

DISCIPLING MINISTRY?

Written By
Dr. Edward Watke Jr.


Revival In the Home Ministries, Inc.
3306 Woodhaven Ct.
Augusta, GA 30909
706-737-5762
e-mail address: rithejw@earthlink.net

The greatest failure and problem the majority of churches face
today --- is the lack of winning the lost to Christ.

The second greatest failure and problem (which helps to create
the first problem) is the failure to conserve and enlist their own people
unto fruitfulness.

Pastor’s are overwhelmed with the problem of enlisting their own
people unto fruitfulness. Survey’s prove that over 40% of those who join a church are lost to the influence, ministry, and program of the church
within 5 years.

Very few churches are doing a good job of winning, conserving,
and multiplying. . . yet this is what Christ did. . . as HE taught, led,
trained, molded, excited, exhorted, prepared and sent out the disciples
and apostles.

The biggest job, the greatest challenge given to each one of us
as churches, pastors, people, and parents -- by the Savior -- is the
winning of souls, and the developing of those we win unto fervent,
alive, fruitful, growing, and established, maturing believers. And one of the
greatest failures of our Christian homes is the failure to disciple our
own children for the Lord. How many of us can say“We gave you
good doctrine!” (Read Proverbs 4:1-4; 6:20-23.)

Discipling is NOT giving a pep talk, handing a newly saved person
a tract or some pamphlets and then challenging them to come to
services, be baptized, and join the church.

Most newly saved have a very poor beginning because they were
not helped when first saved. We would not say to a new born baby
(after placing them on the table) “Look there is the refrigerator, when you
are hungry, there is food available.” NO, we give moment by moment
care to our newly born one. Why about those just saved?

There will never be effective evangelism -- without discipling or follow-up
of the convert for there will never be a third generation. May God Help Us!

-- Dr. Edward Watke Jr.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Lesson No. Title Page:


One Necessity of Discipling! 4


Two Multiplication or Stagnation? 8


Three Caring For Others In A
Discipling Ministry! 13


Four Building Others! 17


Five Integrating the New Convert
Into the Lord’s Work! 20


Six Intercession -- The Act of
An Earnest Appeal! 23


Seven What Is the Purpose of Discipling? 28


Eight Are You Truly A Disciple? 33


Nine Multiplication -- the Great Prospect
In God’s Work! 38

THE NECESSITY OF DISCIPLING!

The greatest task of the church includes not only the salvation of souls, but also the maturing of believers unto Christlike living.

• Follow-up or discipleship is the conservation, maturation, and multiplication of the fruit of the labors of evangelism, for winning and building are inseparable. They are linked together in the Word of God.

• The early soul winners were also church planters! They were not satisfied with merely making converts or seeing how many decisions they could record.

• Just how biblical is a follow-up or discipleship ministry? Is this just some idea of some more recent years or was it practiced by the early church because of the command of Christ?

• Do our converts really exist, are they helped to mature and develop into
Christ-likeness?

• Far too often we expect new babes in Christ to manage for themselves. Yet the babe cannot help himself until he first is helped by someone else.

• In my experience, few things are more exciting, more thrilling, and more rewarding than to see the new convert growing, maturing and walking with the Lord in a fruitful life.

Why Be Involved in Discipling Others (follow-up) ?


I. It is Scriptural, for it is Christ’s Command!

A. We are commanded to make disciples, (Matt. 28:18-20) which demands that we teach those whom we reach.

B. Christ’s, Lo, I am with you, is contingent upon our doing His work and will.


II. It is imperative, as we following Christ’s example!

A. We must follow Christ’s example, as He poured His life into the
apostles’ lives for three years.

B. As He nurtured those who put faith in Him, so we must nurture them unto Christ-likeness. (See John 13,14,15,16, 17.) What is significant about
these foregoing chapters?


III. It is the very reason for the existence of leaders!

A. God gave apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers to the church (Eph. 4:11-16) for the purpose of follow-up or discipling and maturing the newly saved.

B. The leaders are to train others who become ready to reach and train still others for the increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
(See Eph. 4:15-16 and II Tim. 2:2)

C. The new converts are to be established in the faith and in truth so they will not be led into false teaching.

D. The new convert should be able to function with the church together in unity as a body. If we do not follow-up others, we are not fulfilling the purpose of God in our own lives or serving for the sake of others.
(Rom. 15:1-2; II Cor. 4:14-15)


IV. Paul practiced a ministry of discipling!

A. Paul prayed for the new converts, wrote to them, pled with them, warned
them, taught them, so he could present them mature in Christ. (Col. 1:28)

B. Paul did such intensive follow-up that he wrote of travailing night and day.
(I Thess. 2:9; II Thess. 3:8)

C. As an example let us see how Paul ministered to the believers of Thessalonica. (See the book)

1. He prayed for them (1:2-3; 3:10; Gal. 4:19).

2. He wrote to them; hence the two epistles.
(All epistles were follow-up letters to meet various needs.)

3. He commanded them, encouraged them (1:6-9).

4. He was an example to them (1:5-6; 2:10).

5. He spent himself for them (2:8).

6. He related to them properly... as a father, a nurse, a person
burdened for their lives (2:7-13).

7. He gave them an ultimate goal (2:12; 4:1)... to walk worthy.

8. He was aware of the opposition of Satan and helped them
recognize this enemy (3:4-5).

9. He gave them many specific instructions in Christian living... such
as those listed in 5:11-22.

10. He assured them of God’s work within them to enable them to
obey these commands (5:23-24).


D. It is obvious that Paul was deeply burdened for his new
converts. (Compare with Peter-- I Pet. 2:2; II Pet 1:4-12)

1. He wanted them to grow and to mature in Christ.

2. He dealt with specifics and not just generalities.

3. He took the time to build their lives or sent someone who would do so in proxy for him. Paul never neglected them.

4. A study of the book of Philippians, Galatians, Ephesians, Colossians, etc., would reveal many details in Paul’s follow-up work with new converts. Every one of these books dealt with various problems, and needs of the newly saved.

He shared briefly, the need of: care, of instruction, of nurture, and
of loved and protection.


Conclusions:
1. Discipling others (or follow-up care) could be called spiritual pediatrics,
for it is the parental care given new Christians.

2. Follow-up, or discipling, must be intensely personal since it is
something that cannot be done well in the group scene.

3. There must be continuing emphasis of the personal aspect of follow-up care.

We need a parent-heart as seen in Paul’s concern for the newly saved
(I Thess. 2:6-13).

4. If the new convert is not becoming strong in Christ, he will become a spiritual orphan, a casualty, lost to the work and will of Christ the Savior.

5. It is imperative that some mature Christians become involved in discipling the younger saint, the newly saved.

Why not become a discipler? Will YOU?

Lesson II

MULTIPLICATION OR STAGNATION?

• We all would say that any church that is Fundamental, Biblical, and God-honoring would seek to pattern itself after the New Testament. We would say that “we want to be a New Testament Church.”

• When we examine the New Testament we find many principles, doctrines, and truths that give guidance for any church today, so that it can pattern itself after the New Testament.

• What makes a church a New Testament church? What are the basic principles in New Testament evangelism? Why did the early church turn their then known world upside down? Why did they have such impact?

• The early church multiplied and did not just add people from time to time. Why did this take place?

The word multiply is used a number of places in the book of Acts....

Acts 6:1 “And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multipled...”

Acts 9:31 “Then has the churches rest throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified, walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost , were multiplied.”

Acts 12:24 “But the Word of God grew and multiplied.”

• One of the reasons why the early church had an impact on their then known world is because they did not just grow by adding -- but by multiplying.


I. They Were People-Oriented instead of Plan-Oriented!
Acts 4:17-20, 29-33; 5:28-33, 40-42; 8:4

A. We are prone, today, to put emphasis upon plans, programs, and methods as the greatest need.

1. Today the norm is to look for new plans, methods, ideas of HOW to Reach people.


2. There are many different books dealing with ideas or plans to adopt as to how the get the job done and reach people for Christ.

3. Today’s churches spend most of their time in looking for new methods -- that maybe somehow we can find a way to get evangelism or outreach accomplished.

4. The early church was not nearly as concerned about plans and methodology as they were -- about people.

B. We are expected to be people oriented.

1. Col. 4:3 -- We are to know how to answer every man.

2. This necessitates that we are sensitive to the individual -- his or her needs -- to understand where they are spiritually--- to share the message to meet them where they are.

3. I Pet. 3:15 “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh a reason of the hope within you with meekness and fear.”

a. This reveals they were sharing their faith with individuals.
b. This reveals they were saying so much about Christ, about their salvation in Him, that it prompted people to ask questions.
c. This reveals that God’s plan is that we are people oriented -- we share our personal life, daily living among the unsaved in such a way they are impacted and ask questions.
d. We are to share enough of the gospel in various ways that the unsaved have questions to ask.

II. They were Disciple -Building instead of Decision -Counting.

Matt. 28:18-20 Acts 5:42 Acts 2:41-42 Acts 11:19-26
Jh. 8:31 Col. 1: 27-29 (vs. 28)

Any evangelistic method that does not include follow-up or discipling the new convert cannot be labeled Biblical.

A good test is to ask the questions --

• Can you find the people who made decisions after two years? Where are they?

• Are they in a Bible believing church? Are they servants? Do they have a servant’s heart? Are they actively serving the Lord in a local church?

A. Discipling the new convert is the very heart of the Great Commission.
-- Matt 28:18-20

B. Discipling was Paul’s great concern as one especially called by Christ.
Gal. 4:19; I Thess 2:9; II Thess. 3:8

C. Discipling our own children is also a command of the Lord. Eph. 6:4

D. Paul’s whole thrust as an example for the church today is the follow-up every newly saved to help them to grow in Christ. Col.1:28;

What are doing about building the new convert? What are we doing about building the lives of the children entrusted unto us?


III. They had a Sowing Mentality instead of a Reaping only mentality!

A. Sowing Must Take Place!

1. I am afraid that today -- evangelism - winning the lost -- is almost always viewed only as reaping. Our emphasis is upon winning the person to Christ without the realization that most are not ready for that decision.

2. In Matt 13, Mk 4, and Lk 8 we have recorded the parable of the sower... a sower went forth to sow, the seed was the Word of God. We are the ones accountable to sow. The sower was sowing with expectation that some of the seed would fall on good ground.

3. In I Pet. 1:23 we read that we are born again by the incorruptible seed, the Word of God. There is divine power in this seed.

4. So many churches have put so much emphasis on numbers that we have lost the impact of God’s truth in regard to Biblical evangelism.

5. The farmer knows he must sow much, if he is to reap much. He sows with anticipation.

Some give reports about souls they have led to Christ -- like so many scalps on a belt or notches on a gun. In fact many of these who profess cannot be found for they have made empty professions that have meant little.

What does it mean to sow? Why does the farmer sow? What value is seed in the bin? What value is seek in the sack, -- corn, wheat in the sack that has never been sown? Seed must be sown.

B. The sower was concerned about prepared soil. We can have a
part in preparing the soil.

1. Here is the prerequisite that we seldom think about -- the soul or the heart of the lost must be prepared. Consider Acts 8; 10; 16; Jh 4.

2. In fact, this is as important as sowing. There is a great necessity in preparing the soil, that is, the heart of the lost, so the seed might be received.

3. Without the soil (heart) being prepared -- the recipient will not be ready to accept the seed, and nothing is accomplished.

4. Then the seed will fall upon hard hearts, unresponsive soil -- fallow ground, weed patches - it will fall on indifferent, resistant hearts.

Who is involved in preparing the soil? All of us.

C. There is power in the gospel seed!

1. Rom. 1:14-16; I Pet. 1:23 -- pure seed was what my father wanted to buy for sowing.

2. A farmer does not worry about life in the seed, for he anticipates there will be life in the seed -- God put life there.

3. But the farmer is concerned about getting the seed into the soil in the right way - depth - amount , to have a good crop.

4. The seed depends on the condition of the soil, adequate moisture, watering, etc. Psa. 126:5,6


Conclusion thoughts:

• The majority of those who grew up in he 30’s, 40’s, and 50’s had some exposure to religion, to Christianity. But the majority of those who grew up in the last three decades have grown up in a spiritual vacuum.



• In reaching the average lost of today we are reaching out to many who have little, if any, knowledge of Biblical truth, understanding of sin, acceptance of Divine Creation, or belief that the Bible is the Word of God.

• A number of believers must build a relationship with the unsaved. Many are totally insulated from the influence of true Christianity. They are probably only reachable through a relationship of integrity.

They need the impact of a verbal witness coupled with much
prayer and a life lived for God set before them.

Only by cultivating the soil -- sowing-- and watering (weeping over the lost)
will people come to Christ.

Multiplication is the result of Bible methods lived out by God’s people.

Lesson III

There must be care for the person who is now newly saved. Discipling others could be called spiritual pediatrics for it is the spiritual parental care given new Christians to bring them to spiritual maturity and fruitfulness. It is as greatly needed as the care given to the newborn child.

Follow-up or discipling must be intensely personal since the purpose is to meet many of the personal needs of the newly saved.

• Every saved person has individual, pertinent, personal needs.
• Strongholds of sin in the life are normal.
• Generally growth comes in the context of openness and opportunity to share needs and problems.
• It is sad, but few people demonstrate Christlike love for others and few understand the great limitless field of ministry through the individual approach.
• How many are willing to give parental care which keeps the new convert from becoming a spiritual orphan or a casualty, lost to the cause of Christ?


Paul considered himself a parent to those he won to Christ.
I Cor. 4:15-17; Gal. 4:19; I Thess. 2:11

1. He spoke of himself as their father, and said that he had begotten them through the gospel.

2. As a parent, he felt tremendous responsibility -- Col. 1:28-29; Gal. 4:19

Newly saved have at least these four needs:

I. THEY NEED GENUINE LOVE -
Jh 13:34-35; 15:12; 15:9

1. Spiritual parents are to love these newly saved as Christ love them. This is an ingredient that is extremely necessary for the development of a baby born into the home and for the new convert born into God’s family.

2. Without unconditional love sensed, spoken, shared, and manifested, the new convert will probably fall by the wayside.
3. A true parent never regrets the time, effort, or sacrifice necessary in bringing spiritual children into maturity and fruitfulness. We will lay down our lives for the brethren. I Jh. 3:16.

• It is the Lord’s command. Jh 13:34,35
• It is the royal law. Rom. 13:8
• It is taught by the Lord. I Thess. 3:12; 4:9
• It is to be unfeigned love. I Pet. 1:22

4. Love is built by taking time with them each week sharing Christ’s love -- demonstrating love by instructing -- helping -- answering questions -- meetings needs, etc., until that person can grow and go on with Christ in their own right.

5. Love is sensed because we are willing to take the time to pour our lives into their lives and to give ourselves to their future in Christ. (Jh 13:1)

All the teaching, instructing, and helping them through the course of study in follow-up studies must be done with Christ’s love and with much patience. We must remember from whence we have come and what God has done in our lives over many years. (I Cor. 4:7; 13:1-8)

II. THEY NEED NOURISHMENT:
Col. 2:6-7; I Pet 2:2

1. The baby in Christ must have regular food just as the baby born into a family must have regular food.

2. We often miss the major emphasis of John 21 -- when Christ asked Peter three times if he love Him. The major emphasis was “Feed my sheep, feed my lambs.”

3. Nothing can take the place of the Bible in the daily spiritual diet of every believer. We feed ourselves physically about three times a day, some more because of need. How about the newly saved who do not know how to feed themselves?

4. The baby in Christ needs the milk of the Word.

5. He must grow to the place that he has good eating habits, chooses good food, knows where to find it, and how to prepare it.

6. Maturity on the part of the new convert takes time. -- Only by nourishment will growth take place -- Matt 4:4; Jh 10:10; 8:31; Very few we win to Christ have any understanding of the Word of God. Spiritual parents must bring about that knowledge, and growth through concerted, consistent study with the new convert.

III. THEY NEED PROTECTION:
I Pet. 5:8; Lk 22:31,32; I Jh 2:16; II Cor. 10:3-5

1. The new convert is no match for the enemy that he must face and knows nothing about.

2. He must be delivered from the devouring of Satan, the sifting of Satan’s work and the strongholds Satan would use in his or her life.

3. He is unaware of the enticements of the world and the cunning skill of Satan to use his wiles and methods to defeat.

4. This enemy of our soul considers no prey more tempting than the spiritual life of the new believer. He will do all he can to defeat him quickly.

5. The spiritual parent will teach by his own example, by association with the newly saved person that he might know the victory we have in Christ and by protecting through instruction and warning given before he has to meet a situation of possible danger.

6. The new convert needs to be disciplined and even rebuked in love to help
build discipline. He must understand his own sinful, fallen nature and the way of victory over the flesh. (Rom. 6, 7, 8)


IV. THEY NEED TRAINING!
Psa 32:8; Col. 1:28-29; I Cor. 3:11; II Pet. 1:3-12;

1. How will they be able to serve the Lord without training? Discipling is the
beginning of that training.

a. The goal is that they might understand that God wants to use them?

b. They must, through instruction, understand that the Holy Spirit has
gifted them to serve.

c. Training must be ongoing, but that can’t take place if we have lost the
new convert in the first place because we have not given him a
foundation to build on. (This I know from experience as I have
had the privilege of discipling hundreds of new converts and have
seen many grow and become useful, serving, maturing saints.)

2. To instruct them and train them in the way they should go is a grave responsibility.

3. Parental care involves training the baby, beginning when he is very
young and intensifying as he grows up. We must build upon their beginning
in Christ.

4. They need training in doctrinal truths:

5. They need training in godliness that they might live godly lives. I Thess. 4:1,2

6. They need training in study habits. II Tim. 2:15

7. They need training in conduct and the importance of the local church.
I Tim. 3:15

8. They need training to add to the faith ---
Note II Pet. 1:3-12

What greater joy could we have than helping the newly saved to live for Christ? Will we take the steps to make it so?

Lesson IV

BUILDING OTHERS!

When we consider building others we need to be reminded of the Parable of the Sower... and the four types of soil, or heart responses, of people. (Matt. 13; Mk. 4; Lk 8)
We are not accountable for the basic heart response and what takes place in the inner life of the person who professes to accept Christ. But we do need to understand that not all will follow through or manifest saving grace.

There are four basic responses to the Gospel!

1. There is the way side hearer -- or the hardened, closed-hearted person who does not respond.

2. There is the heart response depicted in rocky soil. They receive the Word with joy, but not having root, they fall away and there is no fruit or evidence of salvation. Doubtless, they are not saved!

3. There is the thorny soil hearer. Christ said of these that they go forth, having received the Word. But these people allow the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the pleasures of this life to choke the Word. They also do not bring forth fruit. (Many who write about this portion do not think these are saved!)

4. Then there are the good soil hearers! These people have an honest heart, having heard, keep the Word of God with patience and bring forth fruit, some 30, some 60, and some 100 fold.

In witnessing and discipling we will constantly work with people who will manifest one of these varied heart responses. Some will be unwilling to be discipled. Expect that! We are not accountable for their response, but we are accountable:

• to edify, (or build up)
• to give ourselves for others,
• to teach, warn, and perfect the saints,
• and, to help the new convert become a reproducer!


I. THE GOAL IS TO BUILD REPRODUCERS!
(Acts 6:17; 9:31; 12:24; II Tim. 2:2)

1. The Scriptures urge us to provide for the 3rd and 4th generation.


2. We must become spiritual parents -- either parents as we win others to Christ and disciple them, or foster parents as we adopt others in a discipling program.

3. Building one life and continuing with that person until he wins another and disciples this person is what discipling is all about.

4. God’s desire is that the incorruptible seed, the Word of God (I Pet. 1:23) will bring many to salvation and to maturity in Him.

5. We are to train faithful people who will in turn train others... unto future generations. (II Tim. 2:2)


II. THE PURPOSE IS TO BRING GLORY TO GOD! (I Cor. 10:31,32;
Eph. 1:12; Rev. 5:12-13)

1. To bring glory in all we do.

2. To realize that He is worthy of glory.

3. To honor and magnify our Savior and Lord.


III. THE PRINCIPLES FOR BUILDING OTHERS ARE TO BE PRACTICED!

1. The principle of relationship on our part!

a. There must be a sweet, intimate relationship with the Savior! We need a deep love. (II Cor. 5:14)

b. There must be a warm, receptive, steady relationship with the new convert (s) with a ministering heart!

2. The principle of commitment on the part of both the discipler and the one
being discipled!

a, The discipler must be committed to mold a life.
b. The discipled person must be committed to grow.
c. Without this, we will fail.
d. Without this, little can be accomplished.
e. We must stick to the task. We must have a driving
motivation and a vision of what God can do in hearts!



3. The principle of concentration whereby we willingly center our concern
on the individual!

a. We must focus on the individual’s importance.
b. We must not be sidetracked, or give up, feeling little is being accomplished.

4. The principle of time for it takes our investment of time and energy to build
a reproducer.

a. Discipling is a process.
b. God worked with Abraham for over a generation before he was called a friend of God.
c. Moses was 80 when God called him at the bush.
d. Christ spent 3 years preparing the apostles.
e.. Paul was no 90-day-wonder, he was 3 years in the Sinai peninsula, and it was 11 years later before he was acknowledged by the council in Jerusalem as a special messenger to the Gentiles.

5. To see the principle of multiplication taking place in a local church it will take from 3 - 5 years before there is an evidence of impact on the church.

a. Then the discipling must be more than a short time.
b. This requires actually spending time with the newly saved until he wins and disciples someone else and this is repeated onward unto other generations.

INTEGRATING THE NEW CONVERT INTO THE LORD’S WORK!

Every organization within the church should be an avenue for winning and discipling the lost.

• Does any organization within the church deserve to exist when this is not the end purpose?

• Every organization and ministry within a church should be an avenue for building the believer, or its place in the church is without purpose.

• Every aspect of a church’s ministry must contribute to the winning of souls and the building of lives unto multiplication, or it does not merit existence or continuation.

• Many churches have isolated the responsibility for discipling to only a few segments of the total church program.

• In fact, it is considered to be of little worth to many. Yet many churches have not succeeded in integrating the newly saved into the church and the Lord’s work.


I. CHURCHES NEED TO RECOGNIZE THE FOLLOWING FOUR GAPS!

1. The first gap is between WINNING the person to Christ and getting him into The FELLOWSHIP of the church. Less than 40% of professing new converts are brought into membership of the church.

2. The second gap is between the person JOINING the church and being ENLISTED in the program and ministry of the church.

• They often just do not get involved.
• Usually 35% of the members of a church do about 85% of the ministry and work of the church.

3. The third gap is between the person being ENLISTED and laboring in the church in various areas and actually BECOMING a soul winner.



4. The fourth gap is between our WINNING someone to Christ and going on to help that person become a REPRODUCER.

• Reproducing must be the goal.
• Every church leader must get the vision.


II. THE NEWLY SAVED NEED SOMEONE TO ADOPT THEM:

1. Moses adopted Joshua. It was through Moses’ personal training that Joshua
was prepared for the responsibility to lead the Children of Israel.

2. Elijah took Elisha under his care and gave him the training needed as he went from place to place.

3. Christ chose the twelve out of many dozens who followed Him in the early days of His ministry. He gave them consistent, persistent, personal, effective, training to prepare them for ministry. (Jh 20:21)

4. Paul adopted Timothy and used the method and principles of personal leadership development that were practiced among the Jews for many centuries.


III. DISCIPLERS NEED TO HAVE SPECIFIC GOALS, such as:

1. Be a Church-Booster, for they represent their Lord, their church, and its program to the very impressionable new convert and others with whom they will labor. (I Cor. 1:2; Acts 14:23-28)

2. Pace-setters for they have an impact on the total church and many in the community who become aware of this wonderful ministry to individuals.
(Phil. 4:9)

3. Life-molders as they pour their lives into another person. (Acts 11:19-26)

4. Soul-builders as they help the new convert to graft the Word of God into his life. (James 1:21)

5. Sin-removers as they help new converts to have victory over strongholds of sin in life. Many a marriage has been spared because of a discipling ministry. (James 5:19-20)


IV. THE DISCIPLER NEEDS TO FULFILL THESE CHARACTERISTICS:

1. He must be willing to travail in prayer for the new convert, the disciplee.
(Gal. 4:19)

2. He must be a vessel unto honor, meet for the Master’s use, prepared unto every good work. (II Tim. 2:21)

3. He must be patient, apt to teach. (II Tim. 2:24)

4. He must be steadfast with determination to follow through to the end.
(I Cor. 15:58)

5. He must be gentle as a nurse and yet exhort, comfort and charge the disciplee as a father. (I Thess. 2:7-11)

6. He must consider his work to be in Christ’s stead, for he is taking His place in ministering to the new convert. (Jh 14:12)

7. He must live a yielded, godly life that the Holy Spirit can use as he seeks
to walk blameless before the Lord.

8. He can’t live a life of perfection, but he should walk in consistent fellowship,
dealing with sin daily as he maintains a life of complete openness before
the Lord. (James 5:16; I Jh 1:6-2:2; I Thess. 5:23)

INTERCESSION. . . THE ACT OF AN EARNEST
APPEAL!

• We know (as a follower, as a disciple) the reason for our being. We have both
a divine task and a divine purpose.

• Our supreme purpose is to glorify God. Our supreme task is to evangelize the lost.

• In the truest sense, the latter most faithfully fulfills the former.

• To evangelize the lost is to glorify God on the highest level.

• Therefore, this is why intercession is so essential to the life of the disciple.
It is the very heart of prayer.


I. WHAT IS INTERCESSION?

A. It is God’s method of involving us in the salvation of the lost.

1. In no other way can we become more involved in God’s work.

2. Essentially, intercession is prayer warfare for the lost.

3. It is a focus, by faith, for the need of the unsaved.

4. It is an act of mediation. Is to stand between the lost being and an almighty God, praying that this person will come to know about God and His salvation.

5. In intercessions, we are taking God position in concern for the lost person as we stand against the enemy of the lost person’s soul.

6. Our prayer does not save the sinner, but somehow it serves to prepare his heart for the moment word reaches him of Christ’s love.

7. Every saved person can be involved in

a. supplication, b. wrestling, c. travailing,
d. interceding for the lost person.

B. It is the broadest scope of Prayer:

1. No other praying reaches out to all the world as does intercessory prayer.

2. It is the soul of man stirred to plead with God for men.

3. In intercessory prayer we find the key to freedom for those in bondage.
Gal. 4: 19; II Cor. 4:34; Cf Gen. 20:7

4. Could it be that our very prayers hold life for the unevangelized?

5. A well known missionary statesman wrote: “The prayers of the saints directly affect the proportion and degree of the Holy Spirit’s power over a newborn babe in Christ. Prayer is where it all begins and where it all ends.”


6. A. T. Pierson said, “Every step in the progress of missions is directly traceable to prayer. It has been the preparation of every new triumph and the secret of all success.”


II. WHY IS INTERCESSION SO IMPORTANT?

A. Because it is engaging in an actual battle.

1. A. J. Gordon said,

“We have authority to take from the enemy everything he is holding back.

The chief way of taking is by prayer and by whatever action prayer leads us to. The cry that should be ringing out today is the great cry. . . take in Jesus’ great Name!

2. It is prayer that is centered on others. Even repetitious prayer.

a. It is supplication, wrestling for the souls of men. . . wherein we are no
longer self-centered in our prayer life.

b. See how Elijah prayed as recorded in I Kings 18:42-45

c. Compared this with Abraham as recorded in Genesis 18:16-33.

d. See how Christ interceded. . . as recorded in Matthew 26:44.

e. Note how Paul prayed as he spoke of it Romans 1:9.
B. Because of the destiny of the nations.

1. Accomplishment always begins with the commitment of the will.

2. Once a commitment is made, follow through and persistence are essential.

3. There must be purposeful regularity in prayer.

a. Finding the best time.

b. Declaring your commitment verbally each day.

c. Fighting all interruptions fiercely.

d. Set your appointment with the Lord and keep it.

e. Develop a practical prayer plan.

f. Recognize the overwhelming importance of your daily hour with God.


III. WHAT IS SCRIPTURAL INTERCESSION?

• We know it is a good thing to pray for others, especially the millions living in unevangelized nations.

• But how can we be assured that our praying is truly Scriptural?

A. First, claim workers for the harvest! Matt. 9:36-38

1. Workers are desperately needed!

2. God’s plan centers in people.

3. People are needed who will share the message of the gospel.

4. God can only give the increase (I Cor. 3:6) when there are those to sow the seed, disciple, and build reproducers!

5. Without God, we cannot, but without us, God will not!

B. Second, Claim open doors!

1. It is scriptural to claim open doors for those workers who serve in the
Lord’s harvest.

2. Nothing will be accomplished without a field of labor where there are open
hearts.

3. We must devote ourselves to prayer. . . that God may open up . . . a door of
utterance. (Col. 4:2,3)

4. We must give ourselves earnestly to intercede for the souls of men.

5. Paul knew that to evangelize every nation is possible only if these leaders permit the peaceful spread of the gospel. Thus, he instructed us to pray for all those in authority. (See I Tim. 2:1-2.)

C. Third, Claim fruit that will remain!

1. Paul greatly desired fruit that his efforts would not be in vain. (Phil. 4:17)

2. Of the Thessalonians Paul requested, “Pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course and be glorified.” (II Thess. 3:1)

3. Paul longed that nothing would hinder the swift accomplishment of those goals God had given him. (Gal. 4:19, etc.)

4. And more than that, he desired that every spiritual seed planted would take deep root.

D. Fourth, Claim a strong base of support for missionary outreach.

1. Consider the questions of Romans 10.

2. The sending forth of workers, properly equipped with all the necessary tools, can be a costly matter.

E. How should we pray for the lost?

Here I will share some ideas!!

1. First Pray -- for their protection.

2. Secondly pray -- for Holy Spirit power upon their lives.

3. Third Pray -- That they may trained others to equip them that they might reproduce themselves. Prepared to do his own discipling ministry.
(Acts 11, 13, 14)

4. Fourth Pray -- For people who are burdened for a third generation. People who build a life-style in order to be -- real r e p r o d u c e r s!
(II Jh. 1-3, 4; III Jh. 1-4,8)

a. teaching truth,
b. living truth,
c. expounding truth,
d. exemplifying the truth,
e. talk and walking the truth,
f. explaining, exhibiting the truth,
g. leading by precept, and practice, by lip and life.

Are You Mature? a Multiplier? an Example?
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF DISCIPLING?

Introduction:

• The apostle John summed up the whole issue of the Christian life and ministry when he said, “The one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked.” (I Jh 2:6)

• The exhortation covers the broadest range of virtues. Christ, beside being our Savior, He was a discipler of men. He lived and taught the high priority that He gave to His disciples -- and that means all of us ought to be disciplers.

• Our Lord’s commitment to the ministry of discipling can be illustrated from one of the most obscure texts about our Lord’s life -- Matt 27:57 where we read... of Joseph of Arimathea “Who also himself was Jesus’ disciple.” The verb form used indicates the process engaged in by our Lord with Joseph. . . Jesus discipled Joseph.. what a tremendous thought.

• The same verb appears again in Acts 14:21 describing the apostles’ ministry in this note “They had made many disciples.” Obviously they had followed Jesus’ pattern.

A. Jesus set a ministry of discipling in motion by the commitment of His own life... “Go ye therefore...” Mt. 28

1. Discipling is the Divine strategy for the continuation of Christ’s work.
2. It guarantees the passing on of the patterns and principles of His life.
3. The book of Acts chronicles the continuing work of Christ in His Church by
the Holy Spirit... Acts 1:1

B. How do we reach a lost world?

What was Christ’s method?
Christ spend His time in one basic thing. . . calling and building disciples.
Christ’s strategy of ministry centered on men. . . on building disciples who
would be reproducers!

1. .Jesus was always with them... teaching them, training them, encouraging them, rebuking them, and working His ministry in front of them.

2. He invested His life in a few men, calling them to be with Him, grounding them in the truth, and then left them to carry on that work.

a. It is interesting that one of the early statements Jesus made was “Follow Me and I will make you fishers of men.” (Matt. 4:19) It was not follow men and I will solve your problems, or follow me and I will be your friend.

b. Christ had a task for them to accomplish. Are we following His example? Are His interests our interests?

C. The discipleship ministry was supreme in Christ’s life.

1. He reached the lost with the gospel and reproduce Himself in men.

2. But the work remains unfinished.

3. Every believer between Pentecost and the new heavens and new earth is engaged in a monumental task, that of finishing the unfinished work of Christ.

4. Does your love for Jesus cause you to make His interests your interests?

D. And what are the blessing for the discipler?

1. Discipling brings joy to the discipler.
2. Discipling purifies the life of the discipler.
3. Discipling adds skills to the life of the discipler.
4. Discipling will bring rewards from the Savior.
5. Discipling brings spiritual growth and blessings.

As a discipler, or as one who has been discipled, we need to ask ourselves the question . . .

I. WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF DISCIPLING OTHERS?

Are we fulfilling the purpose that God has? In the discipling ministry is it imperative that we know our goals? What are those goals?

Discipling others is the process
by which a Christian with a life worth emulating
commits himself for an extended period of time
to a few individuals who have been
won to Christ, the
purpose being to aid and guide their
growth to maturity and equip them to reproduce
themselves in a third spiritual generation.

II. DEVELOPING PEOPLE WHO ARE MATURE:

The goal in a discipling ministry is to develop people who are mature.
(Col. 1:28) “proclaiming Christ, warning (admonishing) every man and teaching every
man with all wisdom, that we may present every man complete in Christ,” is what this verse teaches us.

1. The word translated perfect in the King James is teleios in the Greek, which refers to being mature.

2. The Greek word translated present is from the same Greek root word as the word present in Romans 12:1 and Rom. 6:13. Means to offer, to put at one’s disposal.

3. That we might come to the “measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.”
(Eph. 4:13) Teleios is translated “unblemished, undivided, complete, whole, and blameless” in Greek secular writings. To become this for God’s glory should be our aim. (Consider -- Phil. 3:12)

A. They might be -- Christlike in Character: (Eph. 4:13)
(unto a mature man, measure of stature, like unto Christ.)

1. Stature refers to the growth of a man, and the man we as Christians are to grow to be like is the Lord Jesus Christ. He is our standard and model.

2. These Christlike character traits should be full grown in us, the fruit of the Spirit -- Gal. 5:22-23. These nine qualities were displayed in Christ.

B. They might be -- Dependent on Christ

1. In the spiritual realm, maturity is seen in the progression from independence from God, to dependence on God. (Before we knew God we were independent of Him, rebellious, and trusting in ourselves.)

2. When we received Christ as Savior we became dependent upon Him, and that dependence is continually increasing.
(Consider Rom. 4:20; Gal. 2:20; Phil. 3:10)

C. They might not -- Depend on others

1. The disciplee must come to the place he or she is no longer dependent upon the discipler for his spiritual growth.


2. The new convert must come to the place of being self-motivated, drawing
his strength from the Lord, sensitive to the Lord’s direction, free from needing a continual human overseer. (Phil. 3:13-15; Acts 20:32)

D. They might have -- Consistency of Walk With Christ

1. Christ is our example (Jh 8:29) of always doing those things that please the Father.

2. A pattern of growth -- Spirit-led, Spirit-filled life, continually taking in the Word of God, applying the Word of God to the life. (Josh. 1:8; Psa. 1:2-3;
Eph. 5:17-21; Jer. 15:16)

E. They might know --An Understanding of Biblical Truth

1. Ephesians 4:14 sets forth our aim. “Not tossed to and fro,” by false doctrines, ideas of men.

2. Fixed view of doctrinal truth, settled in his mind, not vulnerable to ism’s, or skism’s, able to discern both truth and error. (I Jh. 4:1,6; Acts 20:29-31; Col. 2:8)


III. BUILDING PEOPLE WHO BECOME MULTIPLIERS

A. What is a multiplier? It is a person who is committed to the task of reproducing his life in someone else, who in turn will reproduce himself in a third spiritual g
generation.

1. Consider: Paul -- Silvanus -- Timothy -- Ephesian church led by Timothy,
(II Tim. 2:2)

2. Combine -- Matt 28:18-20; and Acts 8:26-39 -- The picture is Jesus to disciples -- disciples to Philip --then Philip to Ethiopian eunuch, then he to Africans.

3. The goal to become a multiplier must come from personal vision, dedication, desire, and obedience.

4. Consider what a blessing comes from spiritual multiplication.
(Acts 12:24; 9:31; 6:7)

B. Multipliers are Trained in Evangelism

1. First Goal -- Trained to share the plan of salvation. Able to clearly share with another person how to be saved. (Rom. 3, 5, 6, 10)


2. Second Goal -- Trained to ground others in the faith. He knows the verses so vital to assurance, faith, surrender of life, growth in the Word, etc.

3. Third Goal -- Trained to equip still others that they might reproduce themselves. Prepared to do his own discipling ministry. (Acts 11, 13, 14)

4. Fourth Goal -- People who are burdened for a third generation. People who build a life-style in order to be -- consistent r e p r o d u c e r s!
(II Jh. 1-3, 4; III Jh. 1-4,8)

a. teaching truth,
b. living truth,
c. expounding truth,
d. exemplifying the truth,
e. talk and walking the truth,
f. explaining, exhibiting the truth,
g. leading by precept, and practice, by lip and life.

C. Multipliers Who Realize We Lead by Example.

1. Paul was the spiritual father, the Corinthians were to be imitators (mimetai) or mimics of him. (I Cor. 4:16; 11:1)

2. Paul told the Thessalonians that after they had become imitators (mimetai) of himself, Silvanus, and Timothy -- then they became examples (tupon), or a pattern to other believers. (I Thess. 1:6-7)

3. Paul also urged the Thessalonians to follow his example of a disciplined life, because he had offered himself as a model for them to follow. (II Thess. 3:7,9)

4. Paul told Timothy to show himself as an example(tupos) of those who believe (I Tim. 4:12) and to pay close attention to his life and words. (4:16)

5. Peter challenged the elders to be examples to the flock. (I Pet. 5:2-3)
(And Paul in Acts 20: 28-32.)

Are You Mature? a Multiplier? an Example?

Introduction:

• The ministry of Jesus Christ began with the call of Peter and Andrew, and James and John to be disciples; and it closed with the commission given to those whom He called His disciples to go into all the world to make disciples of all nations.

• Through out His ministry Jesus Christ was occupied with making disciples.

• His ministry was devoted to teaching and training men that these men might be His disciples.

• These disciples came from among a. the disciples of the Pharisees, b. from those who called themselves the disciples of John the Baptist, and c. from those who called themselves disciples of Moses.

• His earthly life was invested in these men that they might BE his disciples and that they might DO the work of a disciple.

• Jesus Christ is calling men today to be His disciples.

a. If I asked you if you were a disciple of Jesus Christ, I imagine that almost without exception your answer would be, I am.

b. But before you give an answer I would like you to understand the requirements that Christ lays upon those who would be His disciples.

• There is a vast difference between being saved and being a true disciple. Not all people who are saved are disciples although all who are disciples are saved.

• We are not talking about salvation here, but dealing with the relationship to Jesus Christ, as Teacher, Master, and Lord.

a. There are more than 250 references to discipleship in the gospels.

b. The relationship between Christ and His disciples was very special.

c. It was a personal, intimate relationship -- a relationship based on the knowledge of the Person of Christ; a love for the person of Christ, a submission to the person of Christ, and obedience to the commands of Christ.

• The word, disciples is used in a number of different ways..... the word means a l learner, a pupil, a scholar, and one who comes to be taught. The disciples spent much time with Christ as He taught and they learned.


I. THERE WERE THE CURIOUS:

A. There were the masses who followed Christ, called disciples, but were merely curious at this point.

B. They were curious about His words, His doctrine, and His teaching.

C. He was different than any other rabbi they had heard, they were curious about Him as a teacher, and were willing to be taught.

D. Christ’s ministry was largely devoted to teaching,

1. They testified that no one had spoken as this man spoke.

2. There were many teachers, rabbis, but this man came with a unique message and a unique method and they were captivated by His teaching.

3. They were willing to listen to what He had to say.

E. His teaching ministry was undergirded by the ministry of preforming miracles.
(Matt. 4:23)

1. These miracles, in His early teaching, were to undergird His teaching,

2. His miracles authenticated His message.

3. He had called men to be His students, and to prove to them He had a right to teach for He performed miracles.

4. He established His authority by the miracles that He performed... 5:1, His miracles were subservient to the words.

5. Great multitudes were willing to attend His teaching, willing to listen to what He had to say... they were,

a. While evaluating His words, they made no decision about it.

b. They made no commitment to it; they did not turn from the false teaching of the false teachers in which they had been brought up.
c. But they were willing to continue to listen to His teach, Mk 4:34 “He taught in parables... and expounded all things.” Matt. 13:2 Multitudes were gathered unto Him.

6. Giving ear to the teaching of Christ did not make on a true disciple... Jh 8:31

7. There must be a reception to the truth-- and there must be a response to the truth before we can be called disciples.

a. It is possible to approach the Word of God merely to have ones’ intellect stirred, to do what the Athenians did... listen to every new things, without relationship to the truth or without any impact of that truth on ones’ life... such may called themselves disciples -- but they are not.

b. These were the curious, tantalized, interested, moved, but without submission to obey the truth.

II. THERE WERE THE CONVINCED:

A. Some progressed from being curious to convinced.

B. Jh 2:11 These believed on Him, who He was ...

1. Received His teaching, when they beheld His miracles,

2. they were convinced of the authority of the Person and the truth of His Words.

C. These were settled that indeed this is the Son of God, the Messiah... but again this did not mean they were going to submit necessarily, to His Words.

D. These also did not desire to yield to His control of their lives... but were enthralled in His words and power, but did not yield themselves to Him.

III. THERE WERE THE COMMITTED:

Jh 6: 67,68 “Will ye also go away? Peter answered, Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou
has the Words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that thou art the Christ,
the Son of the Living God.”

A. One only becomes a true disciple when His is totally and completely committed to the Person of Jesus Christ and to His Word.

B. Lk 9:18 - 23; Lk 14:27

C. Discipleship involves commitment.

1. It involves identification with Christ, in His shameful death.

2. Discipleship involves renunciation of oneself,

3. It involves setting aside one’s own aims, goals, ambitions, and desires in life.

4. It involves sacrifice for the sake of the Lord Jesus Christ,

When Christ fed the 5,000 we have His teaching in Jh 6.. the climax of this
teaching was this... Jh 6:60-66

5. Who were these defectors? Certainly many of them were the curious who came to hear Him teach, who found that what He taught was too costly, and they forsook Him.

6. Some were the convinced that He was indeed the Son of God, who had come to reveal truth, to redeem and to reign, but when it came to giving themselves totally and completely to Him, they abandoned Him and walked with His no more. (These were termed disciples, but were not in the N.T sense that our Lord demands in Luke 9;23.)

What does it mean, friends, to be a true disciple of our Lord?

1. A disciple is one who has a consuming passion for the Person of Christ,
whose heart is yielded to Him,

2. whose heart is set upon the person of Christ,

3. who has an unshakeable confidence in the Word of Christ, and is

4. completely committed to Christ in service and obedience.

In all honesty many of us, if not most Christians have stopped somewhere short of that which is the New Testament standard of discipleship.

5. Discipleship to Jesus Christ means that HE has the absolute right to one’s life, to do with it as He sees fit;

a. and while we have given Him certain rights and allowed Him to control in certain phases,

b. we have retained rights to certain areas ourselves. We are not truly His disciples!

6. Discipleship means that Jesus Christ possesses every material thing that I have, it is HIS.

a. It isn’t a question of what I am willing to give to Him;

b. it is a question of what I hold back from Him that is rightfully His.

7. Christ has the right to be the one object of my affections... until He is paramount and preeminent in my affections.. I am not truly yielded to Him.

8. Jesus has the right to fill my mind... with the knowledge of His Person, His truth, (Joshua 1:8; Psa 1:1-3; Jh 17:17) as long as I allow my intellect to rule, and to trust it... I am not the disciple He wants me to be.

9. As long as I allow Christ to reveal His will to me... and I choose to debate and
decide whether or not I will do it... I am not truly His disciple.

10. Truly, a New Testament Disciple is one,

a. who, has a committed love for the Person of Christ.

b. who, has a committed confidence in the Word of Christ and wants the ingrafted Word to rule and reign in his life.

c. Who is completely committed to Christ in service and in obedience.
We will not be perfectly so... but determinedly so!

11. A believer becomes a disciple of Jesus Christ.... when

a. he submits to the authority of the Word of God, and

b. when he acknowledges and submits to Christ’s rule over him, putting himself totally and completely at the disposal of Christ.

c. When he accepts His Word as the law for his life and by His Spirit’s power live by it.

d. II Tim. 3:15-17; Jh 17:17; James 1:19-21; Psa. 119; Psa. 19

Chapter IX

• Discipleship is the best way to bring the Scriptural principle of multiplication back into the church. (Acts 6:1,7; 9:31; 12:24)

• Once a new convert has been discipled.. brought up spiritually, and has won his first soul, the principle of multiplication is at work.

• Building one life in Christ and continuing with that person until he in turn reaches and builds another who will reproduce is multiplication.

• This is the planned vision for reaching future generations through those we win now.

I. THE SCRIPTURES PROVIDE FOR A THIRD AND FOURTH GENERATION.

A. This is to take place through natural parents.

1. Promises to bless Israel, (they as a nation, and as families) was predicated upon their obedience to the command to teach their children, and children’s children. (Deut. 4:9-10, 40; 5:29; 6:2; Psa. 78:4-8)

2. In the context of this command (Deut 6:5) “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart.” . . .God gave a warning. . . to “keep all his statutes and his commandments, which I command thee, thou and thy son, and thy son’s son, all the days of thy life.. . .” (Deut 6:5-7)

3. To be in the place of God’s blessings they were to teach their children and their grand-children His precepts.

B. This is to take place through the sharing of the gospel... the spreading the the gospel truth.

1. Each generation is responsible to take the gospel into all the world.

2. Every generation is responsible for evangelizing its contemporaries.

3. The Bible records the tremendous inroads the gospel made into the
pagan world in the first Century.

4. Without printing press, auto., radio, etc. those in the early church reached
their world with the message of Christ.

5. When the principle of multiplication is applied, it is possible to evangelize
the world in one generation.


II. THE SCRIPTURES MAKE MULTIPLICATION IMPERATIVE!

A. Multiplication is God’s plan to populate the world, both physically and spiritually.

1. What was the first command given to mankind? -- Gen. 1:22, 28

2. What was God’s command to Noah? -- Gen. 9:1, 7

3. The world has seen multiplication, not just addition of people, until
now we have nearly 6 billion. The corruptible seed has multiplied.

4. We need a multiplication through the power of the incorruptible
seed... the Word of God. I Pet. 1:23

5. It is also obvious additions will never reach the world for Christ.

6. Less than 5% of those in the church add by winning of souls. . . and then
who works at multiplication?

7. The first generation is often the end. . . rather than a continuous stream of
souls being saved.

8. Unless we provide for the 3rd, 4th, generation, etc., there will be an end.
We can only reach the masses by multiplication. (Acts 6:7; 9:31; 12:24)


III. THE SCRIPTURES GIVE US THE PRINCIPLE OF MULTIPLICATION.

A. Christ concentrated only on preparing 12 men.

1. His plan was the ministry of these hand-picked men.

2. Multiplication, reaching the masses, must come through them.

B. The twelve were prepared, as first-generation Christians, to thrust forth
toward world evangelization.

C. Jesus saw in them, “The foundations of many generations.” (Isa. 58:12)

D. Andrew ministry was multiplied unto four generations.

1. Andrew reach his brother, Simon Peter.

2. A Spirit-filled Peter preached at Pentecost, and 3,000 were saved,

3. These were nurtured at Jerusalem, scattered abroad (Acts 8:4) and traveling as far as Antioch (Acts 11:19-23), as these lay-witnesses won many to Christ.

4. Then as a result of these converts, many were reached... a church was established, Barnabas and Saul sent out, etc... and the multiplication continues. (Acts 13:1-4)

E. Paul had the fourth generation vision for reproducing.

1. II Tim. 2:2 “And the things which thou has heard of me among many witnesses. . . the same commit though to faithful men, which shall be able to teach others also.”

a. The word commit is a strong imperative.

b. We have no choice as to whether we follow up and multiply, we
must be obedient to the heavenly vision as was Paul. (Acts 26:16-19)

c. The principle of multiplication sets limits on the kind of men we concentrate on, so that the generations to come are reached.

• The truth we have learned must become a sacred deposit to faithful men.

• To commit the Word to men, however, we should start with one faithful man; this man must be able or adequate for teaching others.

Paul reached Aquila and Priscilla, who then ministered to Apollos, who then mightily convinced many Jews. Four generations resulting from the teaching ministry of a man who always looked toward future generations while discipling men.


IV. CONSIDER THE AREAS OF WEAKNESS That KEEP Us From MULTIPLYING!

A. Few converts ever reproduce, however, and the multiplication chain is
broken after the second generation.

1. One reason the newly saved do not reproduce is because he doesn’t want to.


2. Or because he may not have received follow-up care, and thus lacks the maturity for building others.

3. The greatest lack is a lack of the vision by the first generation.

a. These often lack the vision for multiplication.

b. This is the greatest and most serious hindrance to a chain of four generations... and onward to many future generations.

B. Too often even leaders are not reproducers or multipliers!

1. One mission board leader, in questioning candidates for overseas ministry, found that less than 5% had won people to Christ who were growing, living victoriously and reproducing after their kind.

2. There is no place for chance or fate in God’s plan, we must be burdened
about multiplication.

C. There are certain principles involved if we are to have multiplication!

1. Strong relationships must be built. (Christ with the apostles,
Paul with Timothy, etc.)

2. There must be total commitment on the part of the discipler. (II Cor. 5:14-15)

3. There must be concentration on the individual. (Intensive, not extensive)

4. There must be necessary time given to build a reproducer!

Copyright 2000, Revival in the Home Ministries #