Redeemer Discipleship
Aug 15th, 2008
Loving God and others, for His glory, by the gospel’s transforming power
How Will I be Discipled?
A. Why discipleship?
*The elders of the church are responsible to shepherd God’s people by making them disciples; they disciple believers by teaching them all that Jesus has given them, and by joining them to one another in the body to experience koinonia, burden bearing, prayer, encouragement, and unified focus in service. The emphasis in the NT on discipling seems to fall on one anothering.
*Discipleship doesn’t just happen; it needs to be intentionally structured for relationship to happen.
B. Discipling meets three general needs:
Help in crisis
Call an elder; call a member of your small group; receive mercy/meals through deacons/ women’s ministry.
- Growth in grace
Saints need to avail themselves of the means of grace (worship, teaching, sacraments, witnessing)
- Encouragement
one anothering/ accountable to one another
C. Discipling happens at three different levels:
- Congregation
Corporate worship, preaching, adult Sunday school, conferences
- Community (in a small group)
Small groups include Bible studies, ministry teams (such as worship), or other gatherings according to interest, age, or geography. Redeemer small groups meet at least monthly to: pray for the church and for one another; bear one another’s burdens, stimulate and encourage one another to love and good deeds, and to discuss and study resources which foster Christian growth (the bible, books, etc.)
Examples: worship team, RYG (jr and sr high students) , RUF (college students) Titus 2 (women)
- Company of three
Personal sharing, ministering to and sharpening one another.
Members are encouraged to find two other saints with whom they feel a common bond of friendship in order to pursue honest dialogue about their trials and victories in their Christian walk.
D. Elders are assigned responsibility for various ministry teams or small group leaders.
E. What should I do next?
1. Contact Tre Smith (473-3066 or email Tre) to find a small group.
2. Pray for two other friends with whom to form a company of three.
3. Ask the leaders where you can serve the body.
F. The Test….
…True discipleship always manifests itself in love for Christ, others and acts of service, evangelism and mercy, motivated by the wonder of God’s grace.