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Discipleship Training:
To Be Most Effective, Disciplers Must Base What They Do on the Condition of the Flock:
To know the condition of the sheep as suggested in Proverbs 27:23, you must be observant and discerning. You must give careful and attentive consideration to a number of factors in their lives:
- their walk with God
Where are they on the spiritual growth cycle? Are they children (newborns, infants, toddlers, older), youth, or adults in their spiritual maturity? 1 John 2:12-14 makes this kind of distinction in believers.
 Remember, not everyone needs the basics. You may waste precious time going over what is already mastered if you do not discern the condition of the flock.
- their spiritual gifting, passions, personality, experience
What motivates and empowers them in life and ministry? Each person has a unique profile when you combine all of who they are.
Remember, not everybody views or expresses life the way you do. Not everybody relates the same way. You may waste precious time trying to make them into something God has not called them to be if you don't discern the condition of the flock.
- their learning style
How does this person learn? Some people are visual learners while others get it by merely listening. Some people learn best by doing and others by talking.
Remember, not everybody learns the same. You may waste precious time trying to teach them in ways that are more difficult for them if you don't discern the condition of the flock.
- their age level
Where are they developmentally? Proverbs 22:6 implies that we need to start young in teaching them. All ages need to be discipled.
Remember, not all ages have the same attention span or capabilities. You may waste precious time frustrating or boring your disciples if you don't discern the condition of the flock.
- their physical, emotional, and mental needs along with the spiritual
What are their deficiencies or obstacles in all areas of their lives? God is concerned about the whole person, not just the spiritual.
Remember, not everybody can focus on spiritual growth when there are other pressing needs. You may waste precious time trying to get through spiritually because other things are blocking them if you don't discern the condition of the flock.
Using this understanding, consider how you may "spur one another on toward love and good deeds" (Heb. 10:24). Begin where they are with what is most needed or focus on that more than other areas.
The condition of the flock should set the agenda for discipleship, not your own desires nor a program.
- Personalize what you do to your people. Using a course of study or curriculum is helpful in keeping you from neglecting important areas but you need to be flexible with it. Don't get boxed in with the plan to the point where the program is more important than the people.
- Pull out principles from what others have written or are doing but tailor what you do to your unique setting, to the condition of your flock.
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