Skip to content
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
Menu
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • Log In
  • Subscribe
  • Renew
  • Donate
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
Menu
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • Log In
  • Subscribe
  • Renew
  • Donate
The Baptist Paper
Search
Close
The Baptist Paper
Search
Close
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Editorials
  • Your state news
  • Request a free trial
Menu
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Editorials
  • Your state news
  • Request a free trial

Living the D-Life: Talking to strangers

  • July 3, 2021
  • Dr. Bill Wilks
  • Latest News, National News

Living the D-Life: Talking to strangers

In my last article, I stated: Disciple-making is not a program, it’s a lifestyle. This big truth has the power to revitalize today’s church. We don’t need another discipleship program; we need an army of disciple-making people. The supreme purpose of every believer is to live a lifestyle of disciple-making.

In His three years of earthly ministry, Jesus modeled this lifestyle for us. From Him, we learn the best way to make disciples is through the caring, relational environment of a small discipleship group, or a D-Group. Jesus invited 12 men to be in His D-Group. However, a group of three to five is best for our success.

By reading the Gospels, we learn there are six practices of disciple-making that Jesus modeled for us with His D-Group. These six practices are:

  1. fellowship
  2. teaching
  3. prayer
  4. ministry
  5. multiplication
  6. accountability

Let’s unpack the first of these six practices, which is fellowship.

Choosing a group is intentional

Intimate fellowship with others is a main priority in disciple-making. To be a disciple-maker you must take the first step of inviting some people to join you in a discipleship group. Your group can meet anytime and anywhere for intentional discipleship.

To choose a group, you must pray first. As you pray, God may show you someone you might not think about. Also, talking to strangers is essential. Practicing Christian hospitality will open doors to invite others to join the group. Finally, you must go fishing for some people. Remember that fish don’t always bite easily, but you only need to catch two or three to start a D-Group. Keep fishing until you catch the ones God has for you.

Characteristics of a group are important

One thing you notice about the men Jesus invited to be in His D-Group is their diversity. Likewise, you want to have a diverse group. It would be good to have another mature believer in the group. This is someone who can help you lead the group and be trained to multiply out to lead a new one. You also want to have a new believer in your group. New believers greatly need to be discipled. It also would be great to have an unbeliever in your group. Those willing to participate can be easily led to Christ. Multigenerational and multiethnic groups are also desirable. Be intentional to create diversity in your group.

In my next article, I will focus on the second practice of disciple-making — teaching.

For more information, visit livethedlife.com.


Upcoming D-Life boot camps

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.

Click here to read about Living the D-Life: Six Practices of Disciple-Making.

Share with others:

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Email

Latest News

  • New Ministry Wives podcast offers tips host Christine Hoover wishes she’d had
    New Ministry Wives podcast offers tips host Christine Hoover wishes she’d had
    August 9, 2022/
    0 Comments
  • Kentucky Disaster Relief laundry unit helping flood survivors in multiple ways
    Kentucky Disaster Relief laundry unit helping flood survivors in multiple ways
    August 9, 2022/
    0 Comments
  • Overcoming spiritual barriers: South Asians hear hope for humanity
    Overcoming spiritual barriers: South Asians hear hope for humanity
    August 9, 2022/
    0 Comments

Sign up for the Highlights

Get all latest content delivered to your email a few times a month.
Email is required Email is not valid
Thanks for your subscription.
Failed to subscribe, please contact admin.

Related Posts

New Ministry Wives podcast offers tips host Christine Hoover wishes she’d had

Christine Hoover said when she embarked on her ministry as a pastor’s wife that she “was so young and didn’t know what I was doing

Kentucky Disaster Relief laundry unit helping flood survivors in multiple ways

Of all the items donated to the flood survivors in eastern Kentucky, officials have asked that clothes not be included. The clothes are needed but

Overcoming spiritual barriers: South Asians hear hope for humanity

People living in a remote South Asian village gathered around a roll-up screen projector to watch a video about the rise and fall of mankind

NOBTS scholarship increase announced for active IMB, ISC and Journeyman missionaries

New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and Leavell College recently announced an increase in the missionary scholarship for active International Mission Board personnel and returning International

Want to receive news highlights throughout the week? Sign up here!

Email is required Email is not valid
Thanks for your subscription.
Failed to subscribe, please contact admin.

About

  • Our Story
  • Our Team
  • Our Partners
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Contact us
Menu
  • Our Story
  • Our Team
  • Our Partners
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Contact us

Explore

  • State-specific news
  • Archive
  • Opinion pieces
  • Sunday School lessons
  • Persecuted Church
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
Menu
  • State-specific news
  • Archive
  • Opinion pieces
  • Sunday School lessons
  • Persecuted Church
  • Podcasts
  • Videos

Submissions

  • Story suggestions
  • Your Voice/Letter to the Editor
  • Photos / Videos
  • Corrections/other
  • Submission Policy
Menu
  • Story suggestions
  • Your Voice/Letter to the Editor
  • Photos / Videos
  • Corrections/other
  • Submission Policy

Subscribe

  • Subscribe
  • Renew subscription
  • Gift a subscription
  • Start a new member subscription
  • Start a new group subscription
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Hosted Church
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Request free trial
Menu
  • Subscribe
  • Renew subscription
  • Gift a subscription
  • Start a new member subscription
  • Start a new group subscription
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Hosted Church
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Request free trial
The Baptist Paper
Address:
3310 Independence Dr.
Birmingham, AL 35209

Copyright © 2022 TAB Media Group

  • Privacy/Terms of Use
  • Help
  • FAQ
Menu
  • Privacy/Terms of Use
  • Help
  • FAQ
Email:
news@thebaptistpaper.org
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Archive
  • Your state news
  • Opinions
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Persecuted Church
  • Submit your news
  • Photo Galleries
Menu
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Archive
  • Your state news
  • Opinions
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Persecuted Church
  • Submit your news
  • Photo Galleries
  • Our Team
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Subscribe
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Hosted Church
  • Donate
  • Contact us
Menu
  • Our Team
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Subscribe
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Hosted Church
  • Donate
  • Contact us

Log Out?

Lost your password?

Log In

Lost your password?

Log in

Become a part of our community!
Forgot your password? Get help
Privacy/Terms of Use

Reset password

Recover your password
A password reset link will be e-mailed to you.
Privacy/Terms of Use
Back to
Login
×
Close Panel