Have you ever wondered why most ministry takes place inside the walls of the church? You don’t see this with Jesus. Almost all of the personal ministry of Jesus took place outside the walls of the temple or synagogue.
Jesus launched an unstoppable movement of common people who were big on social justice and sharing the good news of Christ. With no big buildings or budgets, the early disciples multiplied greatly and spread Jesus’ fame across the earth. However, we often spend more energy on church building projects and budget planning than we do spreading His fame. This must change.
As a disciple maker, Jesus modeled six practices with His D-Group:
1) fellowship
2) teaching
3) prayer
4) ministry
5) multiplication
6) accountability.
Let’s unpack the fourth of these six practices, which is ministry.
We deceive ourselves if we think we can disciple others solely from a classroom. Disciple-making requires a lab, and the world is our lab. Making disciples must involve on-the-job training in ministry and evangelism. Remember, you can do evangelism without being a disciple maker. But you cannot be a disciple maker without doing evangelism.
Plan for meaningful ministry
In your D-Group, take time to plan for meaningful ministry. It will be OK with Jesus if you skip a few Bible studies so you can walk the love of Jesus into a world filled with hurt. How can you be the hands and feet of Jesus where
His presence is needed most? Whiteboard this question with your group. Pray for the Holy Spirit to direct your path.
Go do meaningful ministry
Ministry projects may include things such as feeding the homeless, crashing someone’s yard for lawn care, doing a project at a local school, building a wheelchair ramp, adopting a family for Christmas, prayer walk evangelism, offering assistance to other social ministries in your area and many other creative ideas. The opportunities are endless.
D-Groups can even make plans to go on a missions trip together.
A minimum goal for your D-Group should be to do at least one ministry project every two months. This means your D-Group will do six ministry projects a year. If we truly desire to impact our world for Christ, this is a realistic minimum goal. How can we do less?
Next, we will examine the fifth practice of disciple-making, which is multiplication.
Upcoming D-Life boot camps
NorthPark Baptist Church
Trussville, Alabama
Alabama Student D-Life Boot Camp
Sunday, Aug. 1
5–11 p.m.
First Baptist Church
Oxford, Mississippi
Saturday, Aug. 7
9 a.m.–1 p.m.
NorthPark Baptist Church
Trussville, Alabama
Saturday, Aug. 28
9 a.m.–2 p.m.
Stone Ridge Baptist Church
Alexander City, Alabama
Sunday, Sept. 19
4–7:30 p.m.
Lawndale Baptist Church
Greensboro, North Carolina
Saturday, Oct. 23
9 a.m.–1 p.m.
**All times local.
For more information, check out livethedlife.com
