EQUIPPED JOURNEYS: DISCIPLESHIP AND MULTIPLICATION

part 1: multiply your life

Before we dive into how to multiply your life, pause for a moment and reflect.

Who was the best coach you’ve ever had? What made them so good? As before, consider sharing your note with a spiritual running partner as a way to lead to deeper conversation around this topic.

Truth be told, no matter how good that coach was, unless you were willing to learn from him or her, you would not grow as an athlete.

Real growth is about being willing to learn from someone else. It’s about unlearning old ways and relearning new skills. It’s about applying what you’re learning and then practicing your new skill until it becomes second nature to you.

Christian discipleship is no different. A disciple is a student. But more than just someone who gains knowledge, a disciple’s desire is to become an apprentice who learns and then imitates the practical details passed down to them.

watch

The What and Why of Discipleship

In fewer than three years of public ministry, Jesus was able to disciple a group of unlikely men and taught them to do and to be like Him in a way that would change the course of human history forever.

Jesus created a discipleship culture where there was an appropriate mix of invitation and challenge in the way they related to Him. He drew His disciples closer, loved them, but also gave them the opportunity to accept the responsibilities of discipleship.

And in Matthew 28:18-20, Jesus commands us to disciple others.

In this video, Alisha explains how Jesus’ model of discipleship comes down to 3I’s:

Information
Imitation
Innovation

Alisha concluded with the questions, “Who is discipling you, and who are you discipling?”

Perhaps you thought, Well, I’m part of a small group that does Bible study together. I guess we all disciple each other…

Likely not. A Bible study group is not the same as a relationship centered around discipleship. LaMorris explains the difference in the following video.

supplemental resources

A discipleship relationship can be a place where you grow to become more like Christ and grow in your relationship with Him, with the goal to grow so you can disciple others. It should help you become a disciple of Jesus—the One who makes disciples who makes disciples.

The apostle Paul describes it as follows to his disciple, Timothy: “And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses, entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.” (2 Timothy 2:2)

What did you learn from the supplemental resource?

review

Answer the questions below. As before, consider sharing your answers with growth partners. If you’re completing the program solo, write your responses in a journal.

What are one or two highlights from the videos?
What insights do you have regarding Paul’s command to Timothy?
Have you ever been discipled before? If so, who discipled you, and what was the impact?
If not, how do you think your life could be different today had you been discipled?
Who are you discipling? Or who could you disciple?

live it!

To remind you of the importance of discipling men and women who can disciple others, memorize 2 Timothy 2:2.

"What you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to the faithful men and women who will be able to teach others also"
2 timothy 2:2 ESV

up next: Doing Life Together

We’ll take a look at a triangular model of discipleship—growing in your relationship with God, with each other, and growing in Christ-like character in your reaching out to others.

GO BACK TO THE “DISCIPLESHIP AND MULTIPLICATION” COLLECTION

equipped

Discipleship and Multiplication is the fifth and final journey of the Equipped Disciples Curriculum from Athletes in Action. Learn about the whole five collection series and how the parts fit together.