Discipleship for Spiritual Growth | Christian Ministry Training Blog

A Changing Church Still Fulfills God’s Mission

Posted on June 24, 2020 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — No Comments ↓

Though the Church is changing, not everything changes. In addition to continuing to fulfill God’s purposes and live within His design for the Church, we’re also still on the same mission — Jesus’ mission to “go and make disciples” (Matt. 28:18-20).

This mission doesn’t end when life gets difficult or changes. We have the promise of Jesus’ presence “to the very end of the age” so we always have the power needed to 1) reach out to those who feel hopeless and need the Lord, and 2) help those who do hope in the Lord to deepen their faith so they don’t lose heart but rather live in the fullness of life and joy Jesus came to bring us (Jn. 10:10).

Thoughts for a Changing Church Fulfilling God’s Mission to Make Disciples

As a Church, we must make the most of every opportunity to reach out to those around us (Eph. 5:16; Col. 4:5) as we go and make disciples of all peoples. That means we may need to learn new ways to present the Gospel and truth of God’s Word. We must learn to adapt as the Apostle Paul expressed in 1 Corinthians 9:19-23. He said, “I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.” To keep that mindset from turning into compromising, always remember these truths:

Discipleship will continue to be founded upon the truth of God’s Word which does not change.

faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ. (Rom. 10:17)

Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. (Jn. 8:32)

The best discipleship practices will continue to grow out of relationships.

Read through the New Testament Gospel books and note all the time Jesus spent with His disciples. So, even in a digital age, relationships matter. Perhaps there will be times more of our discipling efforts will happen digitally. Nonetheless, even then we need to build into it times for questions, feedback, debriefing, and praying together. Where possible, it would be good to plan for at least one initial in-person contact to help lay the relational foundation.

For Additional Help on Fulfilling God’s Mission to Make Disciples:

Christian Nurture a Priority?

Posted on March 11, 2020 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — No Comments ↓

Christian Nurture a Priority to Growth
When we love someone, we want to get to know all we can about that person. Certainly the same would be true of our relationship with the Lord. The more we love Him, the more we should want to get to know Him.

And, we should want that for others in their relationship with Him as well. Hence, teaching ministry becomes a priority in the Church for nurturing His people in ways that lead them to not only know about the Lord but to more intimately know Him.

3 Biblical Reasons Christian Nurture Should be a Priority

Teaching was a major part of Jesus’ earthly ministry. (Matt. 9:35; Jn. 17:6-8, 14, 17, 20)

The Apostles continued teaching people after Jesus ascended. (Acts 2:42; 5:42)

Jesus commanded us to teach others as part of His Great Commission to go and disciple all nations. (Matt. 28:19-20)

Whether Christian nurture takes place in the home or in the various teaching ministries of the Church, may this be our prayer:

We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God … (Col. 1:9-10)

You’ll find these points in the Church Purpose Manual along with other help on Christian nurture as a practical outworking of our love for God.

Resources to Help in Different Venues Where Nurturing Takes Place:

Benefits of a Shepherding Ministry

Posted on November 6, 2019 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — No Comments ↓

Training Category: Shepherding Ministry

God’s Word compares people to sheep.

Know that the LORD is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. (Ps. 100:3)

To help us know the benefits of a Shepherding Ministry, then, we need to make some parallels.

Sheep are most productive when they are properly tended to (nutrition, protection, shelter, water) and cared for (affection) by the shepherd.
The ultimate goal is that sheep produce wool, offspring, or good meat.

What are the Benefits of a Shepherding Ministry?

The objective for the shepherding ministry in the church is to help people become more Christ-like and bear fruit. This happens best through a shepherding ministry as we similarly tend to the spiritual welfare of people.

When shepherding is intentional, regular, and consistent . . .

Communication is deliberate;

Connectedness is deepened;

Christ-likeness is developed.

Learn more about how to shepherd God’s people in ways that lead to the development of Christ-likeness and spiritual fruit in the Shepherding Ministry Manual. (The manual includes this article.)

Tips for Parents to Effectively Shepherd Their Children

Posted on October 31, 2018 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — No Comments ↓

Training Category: Shepherding Ministry

Parents Shepherd their Children If we liken parents’ role to shepherding (Deut. 6:4-9; Prov. 22:6; Eph. 6:4), then we must conclude that their responsibilities include what shepherds would do.

Check out the following:

Tips for Parents Who Want to Effectively Shepherd Their Children

Shepherds are most effective in fulfilling their responsibilities when they understand the condition of the flock (Prov. 27:23-24). The same is true with parents which might be applied as follows:

Parents must learn the personal bent of each child.

Train a child in the way he should go (according to his bent), and when he is old he will not turn from it. (Prov. 22:6)

Parents must discern what is in the heart of the child.

The purposes of a man’s heart are deep waters, but a man of understanding draws them out. (Prov. 20:5)

Parents must be aware of the influences the child faces.

He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm. (Prov. 13:20)

The above points are included in the Shepherding Ministry Manual that lists parenting as a shepherding venue.

Parents’ Role of Shepherding Children

Posted on October 24, 2018 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — 1 Comment ↓

Training Category: Shepherding Ministry

Parents Role of Shepherding Children God has given parents the primary responsibility for the spiritual nurturing of children (Deut. 6:4-9; Prov. 22:6; Eph. 6:4). The Church assists parents in this responsibility but parents are the ones to shepherd their children.

To Read: Shepherding Ministry Venue: Parenting

Resource: Shepherding a Child’s Heart DVD (link goes to an affiliate store)

What does parents’ role of shepherding their children look like when they take it seriously?

1) Parents who shepherd their children get beyond simply providing for physical needs to their emotional and social well-being but also providing for the nurture of their souls, for their spiritual well-being.

2) Parents shepherding their children work at protecting them from bad people or physical harm but also protecting them from the Evil One and a world view that leaves out God.

3) Parents who shepherd don’t focus primarily on children’s behavior but focus primary on their heart.

Resource: Parenting is Heart Work (link goes to an affiliate store)

4) Parents who are shepherds move beyond merely telling children what they should do to showing them how through their own example.

The Shepherding Ministry Manual includes some information about parenting as a shepherding ministry venue. The above points are included in it.

Looking for a Mentor?

Posted on November 9, 2016 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — 2 Comments ↓

Perhaps you read the article on Mentoring Relationships as a Shepherding Venue and it stirred up a desire for that kind of guidance or ministry coaching. Or, maybe you read the posts listed below under Related Posts on older men and women mentoring younger, based on Titus 2, and sensed your own need to be mentored. But, how do you go about looking for a mentor?

Titus 2 does not directly speak to people who want to be mentored. It is more geared to leaders who are to teach older men and women to live godly lives, from the inside out, so that they will be good role models and encouragers of those who are younger. This passage does not provide instruction for how that connection is to be made but it could be used to help us know the kind of person who would make a good mentor.

Points to Consider in Looking for a Mentor

Generally a person of the same gender works best so as to avoid possible temptations and also not to give the wrong impression if seen together. Notice that Titus 2 links older women with younger women and also infers that older men are to be encouraging younger men in their walk.

Looking for a mentor whom you can respect because he/she lives a godly life lines up with the kind of people suggested in Titus 2.

Men who are “temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance” (Titus 2:2)

Women who are “reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good” (Titus 2:3)

The person doesn’t always have to be physically older than you but spiritually and experientially more advanced. You may not always be able to find someone in the same line of ministry with more experience but do need someone able to point you to God as you seek to learn and grow in your walk.

Someone different than you, yet not so different you can’t gel, will tend to bring the greatest challenge to your life. You want a good fit, which isn’t necessarily someone just like you, but rather a person who is able to stretch you so you can grow.

Plan for Finding a Mentor

You might want a step by step plan for finding a mentor. However, passages like Titus 2 and others used to suggest the need for mentoring, do not provide instructions for how to make that connection. Titus 2 addresses leaders who are to teach older men and women to live godly lives, from the inside out, so that they will be good role models and encouragers of those who are younger. It does not directly speak to people who want to be mentored.

Consequently, the best way to find a mentor may be to pray about it and trust God to open the doors. Remember what God says about making decisions:

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. (James 1:5)

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. (Prov. 3:5-6)

After praying, ask those you sense would be a good mentor to pray about, if it is something God would have them do. Perhaps ask a few people and then give time and space for God to work in their hearts about it. You may also want to ask your Church leadership to pray with you about this as well. Continue in prayer yourself that God would motivate the right person.

Certainly in looking for a mentor you want someone who not just wants to mentor you, and is ready to do so, but also whom God deems as the best fit. Be aware, however, that He might raise up someone you would least expect. God sees the big picture. His choices may differ from our expectations. See 1 Corinthians 1:26-31 for how His standards differ from ours. Praying and trusting God in our pursuit of a mentor only makes sense.

For More on Mentoring: Resources for Discipleship & Shepherding Ministry