No one remembers how the debate started, but they remember what happened at the small group leaders annual retreat six years ago — a move toward a disciple-making approach that has made a transformational difference in the active engagement of maturing and serving disciples in Kingdom-focused ministry.
Leaders recall that at the retreat, their small group ministry began making impactful changes. The intent of adult small groups was to help people grow deeper as disciples. As far as anyone could remember, the only strategy utilized to do this was to increase everyone’s knowledge of the Bible.
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If people really knew the Bible, followed its principles and exhibited a biblical lifestyle, then they would certainly be great examples of deep discipleship. This approach had been the practice in this congregation for as long as anyone could remember.
Their biblical theme was, “O Lord, I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You,” a paraphrase of Psalm 119:11.
But a challenge arose. Not everyone accepted this approach when the conversation during the retreat turned to the plan for the coming year.
New approach, same goals
As the congregation launched the new small group year, many of the group leaders were new. They offered fresh energy and innovative perspectives. They were not only new group leaders but recent members of the congregation — even the denomination.
Several of the newer leaders challenged the long-term approach. They were not challenging the Bible. They believed a thorough knowledge of God’s Word was important for maturing disciples.
But they challenged the use of the term “discipleship,” advocating instead for a “disciple-making” approach. What was the difference? One of the younger and newer leaders spoke up.
“The process of disciple-making versus the program of discipleship made a key difference in my former congregation. Disciple-making engages followers of Jesus in a lifelong process of growing in the grace and knowledge of Jesus as they continually mature in their faith. Of course, a biblical foundation, lifelong learning and ministry engagement are a crucial part of this.
“Gaining knowledge and skills that may also produce spiritual depth is often the approach of traditional Bible-based congregations, who offer various programs for small groups. But there is more. There is God’s calling on the life of each disciple.
“The focus of disciple-making is the development of fully devoted followers of Christ who are living out their calling. Armed with an ever-increasing knowledge of the Bible, disciples must discover the unique way God is calling each of them to live out their life calling.
“We cannot stop with all we know. We must put what we know into practice as we are spiritually formed as disciples.”
Developing a consensus
Leaders decided to allow small groups to choose a direction — stick with the Bible knowledge approach that had worked so well for decades or switch to the life calling journey, which was introduced to them by several newer leaders who spoke up.
The life calling journey had three interrelated parts — discipline, discernment and deployment.
First was a solid and significant Bible study discipline.
Second was a prayerful spiritual discernment process where each participant sought to identify the call of God on their lives as disciples.
Third was ministry deployment to put into practice what they felt was God’s call on their lives for greater validation.
The results over the next six years were amazing and Kingdom-empowering.
EDITOR’S NOTE — George Bullard spent five decades in Baptist congregational and denominational ministry. His ministry roles included three churches, three associations, three state conventions and one national entity. He began as a columnist for TAB Media Group’s publication The Baptist Paper in 2022. Bullard now serves as a strategic thinking mentor for Christian leaders through his ForthTelling Innovation ministry. TAB Media Group published his new book “Soaring with Faith: The Difference Maker for Congregations” — available on Amazon.
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