It’s about multiplying, not adding
By Kevin Blackwell
Excerpt from drkevinblackwell.com
Great disciple-making movements are not created through large-scale invitations to crowds. Great disciple-making movements begin small and grow big. Effective disciple making doesn’t depend on additions to a ministry; it involves investing in a few who will multiply themselves in others.
Disciple-making movements foster multiplying momentum in the lives of a few, while traditional programs depend on the perpetual motivation of attenders.
We have to look no further than the example of Jesus, the greatest disciple maker who ever lived, to understand.
Invested in the few
Jesus never pandered to the crowds and never made it His goal to attract large audiences. Actually, the opposite is true. After He calls the disciples to be “fishers of men” we find Him with the masses 17 times and investing in His few disciples 46 times.
Jesus didn’t preach to the whole world during His ministry. Instead He spent the majority of His time discipling a few men who would later take His message to the world.
Clearly, when you study the ministry of Jesus chronologically that was His model. If it was good enough for Jesus, it should be good enough for us.
We are called to equip believers to be disciple makers. It is a call to mend and send, repairing while preparing.
Disciple-making movements eventually bring multiplication, which in time will bring a great harvest of souls into the kingdom of God.
Who are you currently discipling and equipping?
“Investment in people to help them grow and multiply (through disciple making) … is a gaping hole in most churches.”
Pastor Craig Etheredge, FBC Colleyville, Texas
This is the shadow cast on the front of Calvary Baptist as I arrived for my D-Group recently. I’m praying that in these perilous days, that the church of Jesus will be constantly reminded that we live in the shadow of the cross.
Pastor Barry Holcomb
Calvary Baptist Church
Belmont, Miss.
Age for many is related to a calendar and the ability to remain physically able and conditioned. For a Christian, it has a deeper meaning. As we serve the Lord, age should be an asset. Thinking of this in relation to our Christian life, the longer we serve the Lord, the more of His presence, His will, His strength, His wisdom and our spiritual awareness should be present.
Jack Green
Birmingham, Ala.
To be a disciple of Jesus … we must be the sacrifice. … It takes time. … It is sacrificing the parts of you that don’t belong.
Pastor Alex Himaya
Battlecreek Church
Tulsa, Okla.
In Scripture, fruit often refers to a believer’s reflection of Christ to the world. In other words, our character should make it easier for others to see Jesus. The fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22–23 would be an example of this, but such fruit is impossible without a personal relationship with Christ.
Bob Bunn, Lifeway writer
Joy in Prayer (Phil. 1:1–11)
Explore the Bible SS lesson
Seeing my child turn and walk toward her future without her mom and me is probably the most difficult experience I’ve had as a parent. But seeing my child turn and walk toward the future God has prepared for her is also one of my proudest moments as her daddy.
Excerpt from Chris Turner’s first-person article “The ‘ugly cry’ of college goodbyes” in the Tennessee Baptist and Reflector
The popularity of the Marvel movies and similar films suggests Americans are hungry for heroes.
Fortunately, the Lord always seems to be in the business of raising up heroes — some who are well known … and countless other people whose names we do not know.
While none of us will run faster than a speeding bullet, we can and should find heroes of the faith … and be inspired by them.
Brian Hobbs, editor
Oklahoma’s Baptist Message
From the Twitterverse
@macbrunson
Pastor you may be under attack this morning but the unseen, undetectable hand of God is still at work. Do not lose heart — God is already in your tomorrow.
@BenMandrell
In the face of widespread suffering and loss, I’m reminded of some lessons I’ve learned from Job over the years:
1) Be mindful of the blessings I’m tempted to ignore.
2) Be gentle when relating to those who grieve.
3) God didn’t invent pain, and Jesus came to bring life.
@haines_matt
While most people in this world prefer an attachment to Jesus that comes without too many restrictions and demands, the Gospels show that Jesus doesn’t make it easy or convenient to be a disciple.
@nathanafinn
Leadership principle: damage control is directly proportional to the frequency and significance of your mistakes. No leader is perfect. But if you have integrity, treat people well and do good work, damage control will be rare and folks will give you the benefit of the doubt.
@richardblackaby
Hold on to the truths you learned in the light when you find yourself in the midst of the night.
@joelrainey
“Always take the high road. There’s not much traffic up there.” —James Merritt
@TheMoodyChurch
Pastor Warren Wiersbe: Jesus Christ died. He went through that experience that the Bible calls the wages of sin. He died, however, not because of His own sins, for He had none, but for the sins of the whole world.
