Jesus Christ Disciple Maker @ twenty
http://www.bible.org/page.asp?page_id=3330
By: Bill Hull , M.Div.
“ We have now sunk to the depth that the restatement of the obvious is the first duty of intelligent men”
George Orwell
I am the master of the obvious, so I will say it again twenty years later. Jesus hasn’t changed his mind and neither have I, He commanded us to make disciples and he remains our best model.
Why is our discipleship in house and non-reproductive? This is the question that troubles me most twenty years after the first publication of Jesus Christ Disciple Maker. In 1984 the year that Orwell said Big Brother would take over our lives my first offering on the primary work of the church was unleashed on the reading public. Since then nearly 100,000 people have read it and it is gratifying that it still is in print and changing lives. I say primary work because I have not mellowed in my assertion that making disciples is the primary and exclusive work of the church. The fact that the church is weaker and shrinking is the evidence that we still haven’t got it. Short cuts and the quick fix still skim off our best energy and most of church’s renewal dollar.
We have our islands of strength, there is much good to celebrate, and I have benefited from it. Still however, we are languishing in our penetration of culture, and even our better churches are not doing very well in discipleship. “ A little more than 60% of born again adults have set no goals for their spiritual development, failed to develop standards against which to measure their growth, or failed to establish procedures for being held accountable for themselves.” 1 Vision, intentionality, a plan , and a relationship for accountability, all missing-these are the very heart of discipleship. I think the problem at its root is that we have accepted a non-discipleship Christianity that leads to plenty of motion, activity, and conferences , but without lasting transformation. By transformation I mean consistent long range change into the likeness of Jesus. That we are positioned to break the back of strongholds and habits that retard out growth. In the last twenty years I have written nine other books, pastored two churches and created an international training network. I can confidently report to you that there is a desperate search among church leaders for something more meaningful. We have found that church growth does not satisfy the soul, neither do accolades about sermons or completed projects. There is a movement in our land that is driven by hunger for intimacy with God. There is a growing consensus that the Great Commission has as much to do with depth as strategy.
I have pondered, prayed and talked with many leaders about how to improve the situation. There is a variety of opinion, some insist that all is lost without revival, the church should just pray. I don’t think that just should ever appear if front of the word pray. I also believe that to only pray is as much a sin as to only work without prayer. There is the pray and wait crowd, then the plan and go gang, the balance is pray-plan-and then go. Others proclaim that we should leave behind the dead hand of the past and start new churches. Let the bad churches go the way of the dodo, it is predicted that 50,000 will close before the end of the decade, Bravo! Dot the landscape with thousands of new churches that live out the values of the Kingdom. Yet within a decade they will calcify without the primary commitment to personal transformation. There are thousands of organizations and church consultants who are giving themselves to renewing the 350,000 churches in America. There is wide agreement that something needs to be done. I have made a career out of being the master of the obvious, let me say it one more time. To follow Jesus is to be a disciple maker. Doing what Jesus did is the answer to our questions and the solution to our problems. The percentage of evangelicals to population has declined from 17% to 12% since 1994. It used to be said that 80% and more of local churches were in decline, that hasn’t changed. The reason is that we have insisted on going too fast and being too programmed. Our need for success is so strong that we have taken a series of short cuts that have given us short term numerical growth instead of maturity and addition instead of multiplication. So we surge ahead then fall back, like shoveling sand against the tide. Is there any encouraging news? Ah yes there is, it is the same news that appeared under this title in 1984, that following and listening to Jesus is the essential element in ministry.
Doing what Jesus Did
There are three levels of doing what Jesus did, I list them below not in order of importance, but for my own purpose in this discussion. The first is doing what Jesus did in His ministry of power. In the upper room Jesus promised his followers that they would match and even exceed his works.2 The second is doing what He did in the practice of personal transformation, His practice in prayer, silence and solitude, fasting, frugality, chastity, service and stewardship. The third area is how he worked with those who followed Him. Twenty years ago I introduced four phases that Jesus led his followers through; Come and See, Come and Follow Me, Come be with Me and Remain in Me. These leadership lessons from Jesus are about the technique and time needed to train others. They provide us with a segmented and sequential process. It is segmented in that each phase has its own characteristics, it is sequential in that a person can graduate through the phases from a new believer to a reproducing leader. Ignoring Jesus at any of the four levels is disastrous, but to miss the lessons of training explains why we are not making the kinds of gains on the Great Commission that are required. It still takes 100 church attendees, a pastor and 100,000.00 a year to win a convert. Among evangelicals it is a bit better, 1.7, this is an ugly fact that should grieve us all.3 Anyone else would be out of business. We only stay in business because of Jesus’ commitment to sustain the church. By reviewing the principles of this book you will know how to treat the people you work with at every level of maturity. Earlier I made the assertion that in the last twenty years that evangelical discipleship has been too fast and too programmed. That has led to a discipleship that is “in house” and “ non-reproductive” and that is why we are losing ground on the Great Commission domestically. The church around the world is flourishing, but in the United States, we still hold Rubik’s Cube in our hands trying to find the formula. I suggest we return to the original setting for the answer.
Walking back into the future
What did Peter, James, John and Phillip hear when Jesus said “Make Disciples?” I bet it wasn’t go through a sixteen week fill in the blanks bible study. To understand what first century discipleship was like we must return there long enough to restore the context. John the Baptist had disciples and so did the Pharisees. It was common for young men to be cause oriented and follow those who inspired them. Every Jewish boy by age thirteen had studied and memorized much of the Penetuch and the prophets. If he were among the best and the brightest he would be accepted into a Rabbinical School. There he would come under the authority of his teacher. If you were not at the top of your class you would return to the professions of Shepherd, Fisherman, Carpenter, and Farmer. Jesus wasn’t a product of the system and he chose his followers from outside of the system.
There were five characteristics of the Rabbinical Schools.
The disciple chose to ???? to his teacher
The disciple would memorize his teacher’s words
The disciple would learn his teacher’s way of ministry
The disciple would imitate his teacher’s life
The disciple would be expected to find his own disciples
The Rabbinical tradition was very strict, students had very little freedom and when they graduated they would go on to a career as a teacher. Many started their own academies or band of followers. They were bound to their teacher’s interpretation of ????ure for life and were expected to multiply the traditions. Jesus’ disciples knew he was different by being around him and what he taught. On one occasion he actually taught them why and how they were to be a different breed of disciple.
Jesus builds a bridge from the first to the twenty first century
Jesus used the Pharisees as an example of how not to disciple others. He explained why their training was abusive, selfish, and hypocritical. They represented the traditional way to influence others, but Jesus offered an alternative. Then he built the bridge for us,4
“ But you are not to be called Rabbi, for you have only one Master and you are all brothers. And do not call anyone on earth father, for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. Nor are you to be called teacher, for you have one Teacher, the Christ. The greatest among you will be your servant. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” 5
They were brothers, they were to serve others not lord it over each other. They only had one teacher and that was the Christ. They were not to open the School of John, or Peter, or James, it was to make more followers of Jesus. Jesus taught the power of humility in spirit and submission in community. This is the way to get transformational traction, to practice a faith that transforms. The five characteristics of a first century disciple modified by Jesus is the secret to personal transformation that will lead to church transformation that will result in cultural transformation.
A disciple ????s to a leader who teaches him to follow Jesus
This is what rescues discipleship from a process without results. I have said it so many times, you can’t make disciples without accountability and you can’t have accountability without structure. The instruction is “ teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” 6 One of George Barna’s findings is that the majority of people in small groups are satisfied with the process without regard for progress. 7 When I say that our discipleship is too fast and too programmed I am speaking of the lack of personal submission in groups, in triplets and couplets. Without humility there is no submission, without submission I shut out others from speaking into my life. So people can go through programs and bible studies, but remain arms length from accountability for personal transformation. Many a person, many a pastor have sailed through the best training money can buy but remain untouched in the inner person. Or at least untouched in the deep strong holds that we keep secret. I have stepped into a community where I can share anything and everything. I know that I am loved, accepted, and all will be kept confidential. Within that small circle I can walk completely in the light, and that is the safest place anyone can be. There is no balderdash, just open and honest talk. The Quakers call it a clearness committee, people that can help us find clarity in God’s leading. It is only when I talk about my obedience barriers, the sins that keep defeating me, that I remove the barriers to transformation.
A disciple learns Jesus’ words
We are good at this. There is marvelous bible teaching available to anyone who has an interest. The average American home contains four bibles, the average Evangelical home has more along with Christian Radio and Television, videos and related curriculum. Our knowledge is growing and it is meaning less. The studies on Christian’s conduct shows a lack of distinction from the general population.8I think we can trace this back to our deficient understanding of what a teacher does and what a student learns.
From the beginning spiritual teachers are taught to ask the wrong question. “ How do you like my teaching?” With this criteria, and a fragile ego Christian teachers and speakers enter into the religious world. The listener hangs on every word the teacher says and the teacher hang on every word of praise the listener gives. Success for the listener is to be stimulated or experience the pleasure of being moved emotionally. Success for the teacher is to be showered with praise that feeds the need for affirmation. This is a good thing gone sour. Anyone connected to reality would rather hear a stimulating and moving message than something else. It is a wonderful thing for a blessed listener to affirm a hard working teacher. But this all misses the point of what it means to learn the words of Jesus. The right question teacher and student alike should be asking is , “ Am I learning? “ And learning means application, learning is transformation, learning is creating a new attitude and behavior in the inner person. Jesus defined learning this way,
“ My teaching is not my own, it comes from him who sent me. If anyone chooses to do God’s will, he will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own.” 9
Learning Jesus’ words is to live them. Take for example how Jesus defined faith. “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily and follow after me.” 10
Faith is defined by action, it is reflected in behavior. Faith is action sustained by belief. Remove the veil of our theological systems and let Jesus teach us. We have made the test for salvation a doctrinal one, merely intellectual assent to a set of teachings. Jesus rocks our world with these penetrating words. Yes I believe that salvation is by faith and is a act of the Grace of God. The evidence that this has taken place however, is behavioral not simply knowledge. Jesus gave speeches but then he explains their meaning later to his followers. He helped them live it and created experiences for them to be tested. Again may I emphasis that that learning the power and truth of Jesus’ teaching is what Jesus Christ Disciple Maker is about.
A disciple learns Jesus’ way of doing ministry
Earlier I mentioned the three dimensions of doing what Jesus did. The works of power, the training techniques, and the habits of his life. Discipleship in the twenty first century is based on the same principles. Civilization has made progress in communications and science but the moral base from which each person operates is the same as was found east of Eden in Adam and Eve. Jesus lived his life before his followers and they caught it, Jesus was contagious. People of my theological ilk, moderate evangelical, have done a good job of understanding his training techniques. There is a segment, let’s call them Charismatic who have captured the power dimension. Then many main line churches including Catholics have been pioneers in His habits or the spiritual disciplines. There is a movement afoot that is very exciting which gives me much hope. Some call it spiritual formation, others a new Methodism or order, I would call it full orbed discipleship. It is a movement to combine all three dimensions of His life, the techniques, the power, and the character of our lord. This I believe is a tour de force that should worry the devil. Men and women around the globe are starting to follow him for the first time. The disease of western Christianity is the pathological need to lead and control our environment. But more and more people are starting to follow Jesus and his methods. Personally I have forsaken being in charge of my own life,this is my greatest form of self-denial. I now am committed to following Jesus. Asking him to create ministry in front of me so I can enter in. Learning his ways as a follower is a new but rewarding way to live. It is a special kind of life that must be chosen and it is filled with frustration because I keep taking it all back.
A disciple imitates Jesus’ life and character Galatians 4:19
The disciples desired to live the life that Jesus displayed for them. We have already mentioned how they were drawn to his life of prayer and power. They were not as attracted to his suffering, his long periods of solitude and to the confrontations with powerful members of the establishment. There is a mysterious process that goes on in us called spiritual formation. It is derived from Paul’s statement, “ I will labor among you until Christ is formed in you” 11Christ’s character otherwise known as the fruit of the Spirit, is gradually developed in us over time. We intentionally engage in the same disciplines that Christ practiced while on earth. These fifteen to twenty habits serve to transform our inner person. It is possible for us to take on Jesus’ thoughts, mental images and feelings. We will always have the flesh to contend with, but God can change our desires and his life can crowd out the darker impulses.
Think of it this way, on Superbowl Sunday I told the congregation that one hour before the game the players would come on the field to warm up ,to do drills and calisthenics. But millions of viewers were not tuning in to watch push up, leg lifts, and jumping jacks. People do have an interest in what great athletes do to prepare, but they want to see the game. The spiritual disciplines are to transformation what calisthenics are to sport. The purpose of football is not calisthenics, but special exercises do prepare the players to perform. This is called the law of indirect preparedness and it is not optional if we plan to grow into the likeness of Christ. Players prepare themselves so they can do what needs to be done when it needs to be done in the way it needs to be done. It is the fourth quarter, the game is tied and the players are dragging. Certain players rise to the top and make the great plays because they have the skill, stamina, and mental discipline to ????ute the play better than the opponent. They were able to do what needed to be done when it needed to be done in the way it needed to be done. We now have so many who can’t do what needs to be done, [serve in the great commission work force] when it needs to be done [ now] in the way it needs to be done. [with passion touching people where they live] We have found too many ways to be Christian without being Christ like. This must begin with church leaders who are willing to risk and go deeper instead of trying a new program. Remember, we are too fast and too programmed.
Prayer is not the purpose of the Christian life, neither are any of the vital disciplines that Jesus modeled for us. The disciplines however set into motion a mysterious transformation as we deepen our intimacy with God. Transformation then is set into motion by a heart desire to follow Jesus and in humility ???? myself to the practice of the disciplines in community. We allow others to help us keep our commitments to God. A disciple will join a new order of life, a life of discipline and accountability in order to be transformed into the image of Christ.
There is a new way of saying this that I have found very helpful. That we should train to be godly, instead of trying to be godly. The gospel is opposed to earning favor with God through performance, but exhorts us to. make every effort in serving Christ. 12 Training in the disciplines will transform us over time. Think of it as a long term conditioning program, be patient and persevering and the results will be remarkable.
A disciple finds and teaches his disciples to follow Jesus
The reason contemporary discipleship is not reproducing is that we have lost this fifth principle. I started this chapter asking the question, “ why is our discipleship “in house” and “non-reproductive?” The answer is because we have not taught or expected people we train to reproduce. We have lopped off both ends of the process to insure it doesn’t work. We have removed the humility, submission and accountability of principle #1 and the outreach and reproduction of principle #5. Without principle #1 we can’t get transformational traction, absent principle #5, we will just train each other to train each other, to train each other, inbreeding is never good. What I don’t mean is that we should never train a believer, it is a basic tenet of discipleship to train others who are faithful and that does begin “in house.” 13 There are many examples of this to be found in churches. The problem is that after we have trained the willing we run out of people to train. This is because the numbers are not increasing. One of the potent truths of Evangelism Explosion was that if you didn’t have good contacts, eventually there would be a ceiling to your outreach. You would end up with forty trainers , no trainees and no one to visit. That generally would mean the end of the program. This took place because the focus was to visit the people who visit the church. This can work if you have a very dynamic leader or a great marketing plan. Most churches have neither I firmly believe that God’s plan for the church must be within reach of every church regardless of how modest the skills of its leaders.
This is why we should care if discipleship works. Because it is the formula to reach the world. There are other philosophies and approaches that bring in large groups of visitors to attractive events. This isn’t all bad but in the end the people don’t stick because the members were not connected to them relationally. Many churches are very good at this but they don’t have a commitment to train their people to train others. Spiritual addition is better than no addition at all, but it is quite inferior to Christ’s plan to reproduce through training others to obey everything he taught.
Consider this, making disciples begins with evangelism. That is why Jesus said “Baptize them.” What if after the core people were trained that the second generation were unbelievers. Instead of meeting with a believer, choose an unbeliever in your personal network. Start with building a relationship on a common interest, then ask them if they have any spiritual beliefs. Do this with a few people in your life until you find one that is willing to get together regularly to talk about spiritual life. God will honor you efforts, take them from belonging to you and your community to believing in Christ and joining his community. This is radical for many, but it exactly what we should do and it will work. It will take time and perseverance, but it will unlock the door to reproduction and multiplication. The fact that you are now stumped about how this could work and you don’t know of any models makes the point.
Twenty years is a long time and one sees programs , superstars and formulas come and go. Pastors are an addictive lot, we find numerical success irresistible. You may have heard the bromide, “nothing fails like success.” That is the story of the church since 1984. What is needed is a plan to help everyone break out of the heavy insulation that surrounds religious culture. Then to establish contact with those who are in need. Jesus said it is the sick that need a physician, not the well. If we intend to reach the those around us we must follow his example. He trained leaders to train leaders. He also trained them on the job, he showed them what to do and then let them do it. How about moving our base of operation from the church campus and establish outposts where we live work and play. Then we could invite those around us to “Come and See” then to “Come follow Me” then put a special emphasis on leaders by inviting them to “Come and Be with Me.” There will come a time when you would send them out to establish their own outpost, that would be “Remain in Me.”
So there you have it, spiritual awakening will happen when we walk backward into the future and restore disciple making to its first century character. And to move our base of operation outside the church walls and follow Jesus’ example presented in this book. Many years ago I read a book titled, “When all else fails, read the directions.” That time has come.

1 George Barna , Growing True Disciples , 2001 Waterbrook Press pages 34-56, quote from page 36.
2 John 14:12-14 My book Straight Talk on Spiritual Power is a study in how we might obey this promise considering our present limits and conditions. BakerBooks 2002
3 A study done by Bob Gilliam with the Church Development Survey in 500 churches in 40 denominations over a ten year period.
4 Matthew 23:1-7
5 Matthew 23:8-12
6 Matthew 28:20
7 Barna, George, Growing True Disciples, Waterbrook Press, page 54,55
8 Barna,George Church Report 2002 , Issachar Resources General tenor of report demonstrates a disappointing trend of the church blending into contemporary culture in the form of accommodation. This is particularly dangerous in the theological realm. Long-term theological capitulation can bring down the entire basis for morality. There is a positive blend as believers learn to live a among others as “insiders” or those who know how to relate and penetrate.
9 John 7:16,17 NIV
10 Luke 9:23
11 Galatians 4:19 The word morph has become common with the advent of videos and computer graphics.
12 Colossians 1:28-30, 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 Two very good effort passages.
13 2Timothy 2:2

My Summary:

门徒训练是教会最重要的工作。但是，
60%以上重生得救的人没有为自己立下灵命发展的目标；
未能发展出衡量成长的指标。
也未能确立互相为对方负责（being held accountable）的程序。
缺乏异象（vision），动力（intention），计划（a plan），相互负责的关系（a relationship for accountability）。

门徒训练的异象
教会设计了各种（非门徒训练式的）活动与聚会，却没有持久的生命改变（transformation）──长期一贯地按基督的样式被改变，不断突破阻止我们成长之顽固的本性和恶习。

教会的增长并不能满足人灵魂的需要，连续的讲道和完整的节目也不能。

有些人认为除非最经历一次复兴，这些都无法达成。教会能做的只有祈祷。
但是，我认为不能只祷告，不工作，正如不能只工作或只作计划而不祷告一样。

不能急功近利，只求数目的增长而没有实质的成熟，教会增加了，却没有真正的扩张（委身的门徒并没有增加）。

作耶稣作的事WWJD
作耶稣作的事有三个层面：
1. 在基督职事的能力下作耶稣作过的事。祂曾经说他们做的会比祂更多（约14﹕12-14）。
2. 在操练个人灵命的转变中作耶稣作过的事。如祂的祷告、静默独处、禁食、简朴、纯洁（chastity）、事奉和管家的职份等等。
3. 祂如何与追随祂的人一起事奉。

基督如何领导他的跟随者：四个阶段
1. Come and See:
2. Come and Follow Me:
3. Come be with Me:
4. Remain in Me:
要了解每个阶段的特性与渐进性，不要急于求成，也不要僵化。

犹太人严谨的门徒造就树立了一个一个的门派，只以每个拉比为老师。
但是耶稣要我们只以他为老师。

Mat 23:8-12
8 但你们不要受拉比的称呼，因为只有一位是你们的夫子；你们都是弟兄。
9 也不要称呼地上的人为父，因为只有一位是你们的父，就是在天上的父。
10 也不要受师尊的称呼，因为只有一位是你们的师尊，就是基督。
11 你们中间谁为大，谁就要作你们的用人。
12 凡自高的，必降为卑；自卑的，必升为高。

第一世纪的门徒训练经过耶稣改造后，有下面五个特性，来达成个人生命的转变，教会的转变，最后是文化的转变。

1. 门徒委身于教导他跟随耶稣的领袖
门徒训练需要纪律，因此，组织架构是需要的。总目标是“凡我所吩咐你们的，都教训他们遵守”。
George Barna的研究发现，许多人在小组中，满足于过程，没有注意到进展。
门徒训练过于僵化与形式化：缺乏对小组（三个人或两人一组）的个人的委身顺服。没有谦卑就无从顺服，没有顺服就听不进别人的话。所以，很多人经过许多训练和圣经学习，仍然没有达到灵命的更新，和内心最深处的感动。
一个互相负责的小组应该是最安全的地方，在哪里可以得到完全的接纳，被爱护，没有应酬的言语，只有坦诚以对，愿意向对方坦诚阻止我们顺服的罪，让彼此互相帮助，扫除这些障碍，才能达到灵命真正的更新

2. 门徒学习耶稣的话
我们拥有很多教材，可是没有生命的能力。
老师不能问：你喜欢我的教学吗﹖而是应该问学生（也问自己）：我学到了什么？
学习的目的在产生内在的改变，以产生一种新的态度和行为（也就是圣经的世界观）。
学神的话的目的是为了活出祂的样式：“若有人要跟从我，就当舍己，天天背起十字架来跟从我。”
信仰是从行为上表现出来的，你的行为也透露出你信仰的实质。
不要使基督的救赎成为一种知识，一种教义，而是生命真正的体验与生活的力量。
基督信仰是从行为检验出来的。
门徒训练就是有学习耶稣教导的真意和力量。

3. 门徒学习耶稣耶稣传道的方法
耶稣的事工有三个层面：行神迹，训练门徒，以及祂的行事为人。
灵恩运动似乎掌握到了圣灵的能力。许多主流教会也开始探索“祂的习惯” 或“属灵纪律”。
另外一个运动，有人称为“灵命塑造”（spiritual formation），或新宣道主义（Methodism），新秩序，也很令人兴奋，给我很多盼望。我称之为全方位的门徒训练。这是一个结合了祂生命的三个面向的运动，即祂的技巧，祂的能力，以及祂的属性。
放弃掌控自己的生命，是最大的自我否定。
要定意跟随耶稣。学习成为祂的跟随者，是一种全新极有回报的生活方式。这是一条需要选择的道路，也许会因为我们常常要会到旧的道路，而充满挫折感。

4. 门徒模仿耶稣的生活方式和性格
门徒被耶稣的神迹和祷告的生活所感染。他们没有受到耶稣的受苦，长时间的等候和被有权势的当政者的质问所吸引。我们会经历一个神秘的灵命塑造的过程：“我为你们再受生产之苦，直等到基督成形在你们心里。”（加4：19）
当我们立意遵行耶稣在世时吩咐我们的纪律，基督的性格，即圣灵的果子，就会随时间在我们里面形成。各种好习惯会逐渐成型，虽然我们永远无法像基督一样的思想和感觉，因为我们仍背负肉身的需求，但是神可以改变我们的欲望，减轻负面的冲动。
纪律的训练会使我们慢慢改变，这是一个长期铸造的过程，只要有耐心与毅力，必然会有惊人的成果。

5. 门徒必须教导门徒来追随耶稣
不实行这点，门徒就无法扩张。
如果我们实行了第一点，但不去接触新人，只在自己的圈子，就没有向外的动力。
造就门徒始于传道。要去接触还没有信主的人。
传道要从一个共同的兴趣开始，然后问他们是否有灵性的生活。
多接触一些人，直到找到一个愿意经常和你谈论灵性生活的人，神会荣耀你的努力。神会让他们脱离所属的环境，加入神的国度。这对许多人来说是很极端的改变，但这是我们该作的，这也需要耐心和毅力。