Disciple Making Plan
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LIBERTY UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF DIVINITY
Disciple Making Plan
Submitted to Dr. Early
in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the completion of
DSMN 500 – B Term
Discipleship Ministries
by
November 21, 2023
1
Contents
Introduction
......................................................................................................................................
3
Vision
...............................................................................................................................................
4
Values
...............................................................................................................................................
6
Views
................................................................................................................................................
8
Vehicles
..........................................................................................................................................
10
Verifiers
..........................................................................................................................................
12
Bibliography
..................................................................................................................................
15
2
Introduction
“When there is no clear prophetic vision, people quickly wander astray. But when you
follow the revelation of the Word, heaven’s bliss fills your soul” (Proverbs 29:28 The Passion
Translation).
1
These words from the text of Proverbs provide an excellent example of a proper
discipleship plan for the believer and those desiring to mature in the faith. Furthermore, the New
King James Version of this text says, “Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint;
But happy
is
he who keeps the law” (Proverbs 29:18 NKJV).
2
Both texts combine provide an
excellent view into the things needed to make disciples and then to follow through with the plan
of God for spiritual maturity. Prophetic vision—the ability to both hear and Revelation—the
ability to see; are major parts of disciple making.
When believers decide within themselves that they are to push towards spiritual growth
and maturity, nothing is impossible.
3
In fact, “heaven’s bliss” along with “happiness” in the Holy
Spirit, becomes the portion of those who adhere to following Jesus and growing in His character.
Yet, within each of these truths, there is a need to follow through on His plan, given by others. A
disciple is one who studies, learns, and then follows through with the desire of another.
4
So much
so that it produces, within them, the character of the person that they follow and learn from.
Disciples of Christ need have one desire: to follow Jesus and to grow in the likeness and stature
of His character.
1
The Passion Translation: Complete New Testament
(Broadstreet Pub Group Llc, 2015).
2Unless otherwise noted all Scripture, notations come from
The Holy Bible: New King James Version
(Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2013).
3 Dietrich Bonhoeffer,
Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works
(Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 1996), 226.
4 Dave Earley and Rod Dempsey,
Disciple Making Is--: How to Live the Great Commission with Passion
and Confidence
(Nashville, TN: B & H Avademic, 2013), 34.
3
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Subsequently, this often involves a specific plan or strategy for growth. Vision, values,
views, vehicles, and verifiers all serve as means to further the plan of disciple making and
ministry maturation. Therefore, in the remainder of this paper, I will overview each of these
important aspects and values for making disciples. As well as provide ample Scriptural and
resource evidence for my plan and case.
Vision
Before taking this course and developing a heart and ear for the material, I had never
really thought through the process of making disciples. Neither had I developed a proper vision
for what a disciple making plan should look like, specifically in the context of a local church.
However, from study, reflection, and prayer, I believe that ministry should have a divine vision
and calling. So much so that it permeates everything that this ministry says, does, and exhibits.
I believe that I have been called with a vision to the local church, specifically the African
American community. I had the privilege to grow up classically Pentecostal, in a small rural
town; where the entire membership of my home church was under 35 people and practiced
Pentecostalism on a mainstream-scale-model. Although I am extremely grateful for my
childhood, I know realize that I witnessed many abuses to orthodox Christianity, in my youth. So
much so, that it has taken me many years to “undo” the wrongs that I experienced and learned as
a child. Yet, I believe that God has called me to my cultural community. To offer them life and
light, through Jesus Christ. I have a vision to focus on this culture, by bringing them into the
truth of the Scriptures, with the Message of the Gospel, empowered by Holy Spirit.
There is such a great need, not simply within the region I currently reside in, but the
entire world, for truth to walk hand in hand with the spirit-filled community. In John 10:10 Jesus
says, “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they
4
may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” The truth that I have learned from
attending and undergraduate and graduate degree, with a focus on the Scriptures is invaluable
and my desire to share these truths within my community and culture of people.
I believe that this is the truth core of discipleship. Having the passion to share Jesus with
those who would not have known about Him, otherwise.
5
But not only to share the message of
the Gospel, but also to teach and train in the ways which He did. MY heart is to see young men
and women, learning the truths of Scripture, and having the ability to walk them out on a regular
basis, within their own lives. I also realize that many ages of people would be affected by my
vision and disciple making plan. There is a great need within the African American community
for proper generation and family ministry.
Generational ministry is one’s desire and ability to minister to every age group, in a way
by which they would have the ability to understand and grasp the principles being taught and
focused on.
6
An example of this would be to teach people older than fifty-five to honor the
cultural aspects of other people, as it pertains to the Gospel message and spirit-filled life. This
age group within the African American community has experienced much hurt and destress, in
light of the racial barriers and horrors of their youth and past generations. I feel called to walk
with them into cultural acceptance and wholeness, which can only be found at the cross.
Moreover, family ministry is greatly needed within the African American community and
local church. I myself am the product of divorce, being that my mother and father were separated
just months after my birth. However, it has been through the grace of God and love of fathers
from my school and current local church, that I have been able to heal from my childhood of
5 Dave Earley and Rod Dempsey,
Disciple Making Is--: How to Live the Great Commission with Passion
and Confidence
(Nashville, TN: B & H Academic, 2013), 50.
6 Jim Putman, Bobby Harrington, and Robert E. Coleman,
DiscipleShift: Five Steps That Help Your
Church to Make Disciples Who Make Disciples
(Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2013), 75.
5
growing up in a broken home, without a proper fathering role. My heart is to teach, train, and
send out other people my age, in the truth of God as father, mainly from Ephesians 4:6, “One
God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, an in you all.”
I realize that this will not be an easy process, but it will serve and offer many varying
rewards. One of these rewards will be to see a wholeness and completion come back into such a
needed people. As well as this discipleship plan will allow them to not only embrace a bright
future, but I will relink them with truth, found in Jesus. Moreover, it will prove that social justice
must be pure, in that is a resource of hope, not simply the source of hope. True and lasting hope
is found in a person and walking in His Character, and His name is Jesus Christ.
7
Values
The next part of the disciple making plan and ministry that I have been called to, takes on
the form of core values. The values of any ministry will be the direct way in which the vision
will be carried out. Basically, the vision is the call to be accomplished and the values serve as the
means by which the call will be accomplished. While taking this course, I have learned that
ultimately the things that I have a vision for will be expressed in my values and my values will
characterize and produce everything that I choose to do and be.
Therefore, in my calling to reach the African American community with the truth of the
message of the Kingdom of God (fathering families, though generational honor) can be
expressed in three core values: encounter, equipping, and evangelism. Additionally, each of these
values are not entirely expansive in and of themselves but serve as overarching truths to a deeper
understanding of my calling and purpose on earth. Below is a list of each value and their
subsequent expression:
1.
Encounter: a) Spirit-Led; b) Prayer-Driven; c) Worship-Saturated
7 Dietrich Bonhoeffer,
Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works
(Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 1996), 89.
6
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2.
Equip: a) Gospel-Centered; b) Disciple-Making; c) Generous-Hearted
3.
Evangelize: a) Family-Established; b) Community-Focused; c) Mission-Minded
The first value, in my personal disciple making plan is encounter. I believe that nothing of
value to the believer that will have an impact in the world, can happen apart from an encounter
with God. All throughout the Scriptures there is a common thread of encountering God, learning
of Him and other spiritual teachers, and then being sent to do the work He desires. I am under the
belief that any ministry that is void of a divine encounter with God is not a ministry at all, but a
system of morality and proper ethic. Therefore, I choose to honor God, by valuing my encounters
with Him and stewarding His presence in my life.
Three of the many ways I can value an encounter with God and train others to do the same is
by being led by the Spirit. My desire to live an Acts 2 life that believe in the operation of the gifts
of the Holy Spirit balanced by the Word of God and sensitivity to those around me. As well as I
value to driven by prayer. I realize that I cannot lead people to godliness or experience the
miraculous when I am not regularly encountering God, through prayer. And that it is by prayer
that I will be able to unleash blessing and focus everything I do on Jesus. Finally, within
encounter I will value worship. I hope that as I minister to each community and people group,
that they will be drawn into a genuine expression of the goodness of God, not based on personal
preference or music style; but drawn out of both express and reflection of God and God alone.
The next main value in my disciple making plan is equipping. “Go therefore. . .teaching them
to observe all things that I have commanded you,” (Matthew 28:19a,20a). One of Christ’s main
directives in the Great Commission was to teach and equip His followers everything that has
been learned by the Spirit of God. My desire is first and foremost center my ministry of the
Gospel. Being Gospel centered simply means being Christ to those who would never know Him,
7
without a common example. Moreover, my heart is to equip those I disciple by placing specific
emphasis on the Word of God and how it should be use to train followers of Jesus to walk in His
character. This can be seen as preaching, teaching, mentoring and resourcing through personal
experiences and ministry related settings. Finally, I will equip disciples by allowing my heart to
remain generous. A true marker of faith is through the giving of time and resources. By allowing
my heart to give generously, I am teaching those I disciple an important principle—all resources
come from God and should go back to God; my job, then, is to steward those well for His glory.
Additionally, a third way in which I will show the values of making disciples is through
evangelism. As I began to pray and seek God on this specific value, it became abundantly clear
that traditional evangelism would not be sufficient here; but instead evangelism by service,
outreach, relationship, and a massive focus on Christian community. This value is out sourced in
three major ways: the establishment of the family, the focus on community, and following
through with God-given mission. As stated above, the family unit within the African American
community and local church, needs much overhaul. Yet, I believe this task it not without an
answer. By focusing on the presence of making disciples in the family model, this will cause
communities to change, and regions; in light of the missional mindset that will be produced.
8
Views
The next portion of my disciple making plan is the varying views which I have in regard
to specific areas of ministry. Within any ministry there are views which make up the lens by
which the ministry has the ability to impact other people and even the world. My views in
ministry serve as the perspectives I have on the various parts of ministry; or specifically in my
case—the local church. Moreover, my ministry views serve as the way I define certain ministry’s
8 Jim Putman, Bobby Harrington, and Robert E. Coleman,
DiscipleShift: Five Steps That Help Your
Church to Make Disciples Who Make Disciples
(Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2013), 108.
8
in the local church. These could include: the church itself, the pastor or leaders, the saints or
congregants, the message of the Gospel, evangelism and the sharing of the Gospel message, and
most importantly the ability to make disciples.
One of my first perspectives in my disciple making plan is the church.
“
Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints
and members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and
prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being
fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together
for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit” (Ephesians 2:19-22).
Within this text, Paul the Apostle gives and excellent definition of what the church should be. A
united body of believers, who have a divine purpose—to be the very dwelling place of God on
the earth; His body, and his holy temple.
9
I choose to believe the very same truth, that the church,
both local and universal is not only the place where disciples should be made, but also the body
and primary acting agent of God to the world today.
The next view or perspective I have within my disciple making plan is the pastor. I have
been blessed to be a part of a local church, in whom I believe follows a New Testament model of
leadership, in that we have a plurality of elders and not a sole senior pastor. This model of church
government can be seen several places within the Scriptures, but most clearly in Acts 14:23;
Ephesians 2:19, 4:11-16; and Titus 1:5. As I have personally seen, there are many advantages to
this leadership model, one being the increased sense of accountability it produces among
members of the local assembly. Within this model, there is no need for any hierarchy of
leadership, or fitting the bill to one person; instead it allows for a greater emphasis on Jesus
Christ as being the chief leader of His body, the church.
10
9
David Guzik,
Ephesians
, David Guzik’s Commentaries on the Bible (Santa Barbara, CA: David Guzik,
2013), Ephesians 2:19–22.
10
Tom Wright,
Paul for Everyone: The Prison Letters: Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon
(London: Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, 2004), 29.
9
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Another perspective or view within my disciple making plan is the Gospel and
evangelism. The Gospel of Jesus is the message of the church and should be the message of any
ministry. Paul displays a full explanation of the Gospel in 1 Corinthians 15:1-11. Within this text
he makes specific mention to the fact that the Gospel includes the life, death, burial, resurrection,
and second coming of Jesus Christ. Furthermore, evangelism is the means by which the Message
of the Gospel is spread to the world. In the context of my calling to reach the African American
community, I believe evangelism is best accomplished through relationship; or relational
evangelism. Serving the needs of the community, praying with them, and simply being someone
who cares can be one of the best ways to share the truth of Christ.
A final view or perspective within my disciple making plan would be that of the disciple
who then leads and makes other disciples. The Great Commission found in Matthew 28 serves as
not only a suggestion but a divine mandate to make disciples. The word disciple is defined as one
who has chosen to passionately follow Christ, specifically learning and maturing daily towards
walking in His Character.
11
Not only does a disciple grow in the knowledge and stature of Jesus,
but they also have a deep desire to train and lead others into greater levels of maturity and
Christian influence.
12
Vehicles
Any disciple making plan would never be complete without properly evaluating the
vehicles by which the discipleship process is driven and carried out. Just as values are the means
by which the discipleship vision is produced and brought about, the vehicles serve as the way
that each view and perspective of the disciple making plan is made possible. My disciple making
11 Dave Earley and Rod Dempsey,
Disciple Making Is--: How to Live the Great Commission with Passion
and Confidence
(Nashville, TN: B & H Academic, 2013), 183.
12 Greg Carlson et al.,
Perspectives on Children’s Spiritual Formation: Four Views
(Nashville, TN:
Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2006), 191–192.
10
plan of reaching the African American community and local church with fresh levels of truth,
will come through the vehicles of the local church, calendar events, and communication.
One of the first vehicles of my disciple making plan is the church and organization
structure, I will use. Any ministry that lack’s organization is not a ministry at all, it is simply a
morally correct and ethically positive gathering of people. My desire is to be led by the Spirit of
God, in everything that I do; but that it would all come from a foundation of organization and
structure. A major Scriptural principle found in ministry is that God is known as being the
ultimate example of divine order, correction, and stability. Therefore, I would pray that my
ministry would exemplify the same. Although I firmly believe in a plurality of elders, when it
comes to the local church governmental model; in discipleship I believe there should be a teacher
student model.
13
One where those who have experience and wisdom from walking with the Lord
for an extended amount of time should be able to solely pour into the lives and walks of younger,
less experienced believers.
14
Furthermore, I believe that calendar events play a major role as a vehicle of discipleship.
The church should invest in any means necessary to allow people the opportunity to come into
relationship with Jesus and to grow in relationship with Jesus. Calendar events that exhibit depth
and genuine concern for the spiritual health of members of the church should be valued and
utilized. One of the greatest downfalls of the local church is our desire to be constantly busy, but
never accomplishing anything of eternal value for God. One way, I believe this can be broken is
by placing value back into church events and strategically planning meaningful conferences and
gatherings. An example of this may be hosting a spiritual wellness seminar for individuals in my
church who desire walk in wholeness from their past, into the future that God has designed for
13
Sylvia Wilkey Collinson,
Making Disciples: The Significance of Jesus’ Educational Methods for
Today's Church
(Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock Publishers, 2004), 109.
14 Ibid., 115.
11
them. Or even a bible study retreat, where individuals get to spend several days learning how to
study Scripture and interact with the Word of God on a deeper level. Or finally, taking advantage
of large holidays and utilizing the community outreach function, in conjunction with these dates
to share the message of the Gospel with anyone who will come and receive it.
Another vehicle of discipleship that I believe could be employed is the use of
communication. The church is currently experiencing one of the biggest communication shifts
that we have experienced, in over 500 years.
15
And with this communication shift, I believe that
it is important to stay socially active and up-to-date with any and all mediums to both share the
truth of Jesus and train others to do the same. One of the greatest ways to issue clear
communication is through social media. My desire is to utilize social media to share the Gospel,
as well as to issue an invitation to viewers that there is much more available to them than what
they are currently experiencing and know. This could be as simple as posting on social media
about the training and equipping events that I will be hosting from my local church; or even as
broad and impactful as developing an strategic marketing plan for presenting varying avenues for
those in my community to grow spiritually and conform to the character of Christ.
Verifiers
The final and most important area within my disciple making plan is verifiers. This
specific section consists of ways in which I am able to track the success of this particular
ministry focus. As well as verifiers can often serve as statistics and means to a greater
understanding of the culture and people I am called to. In my context, this remains the African
American community and local church. Verifiers will serve as a major way to gauge my success
15 Robert Angus Buchanan, "History of Technology," Encyclopædia Britannica, January 05, 2018, ,
accessed December 16, 2018, https://www.britannica.com/technology/history-of-technology/From-the-Middle-
Ages-to-1750.
12
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in reaching this community and, with the help of God and power of Holy Spirit, bring lasting
change and hope to each person.
One of the greatest verifiers of discipleship can be found in 2 Timothy 2:1-2,
“You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that you have
heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others
also.”
Paul the Apostle’s words to this spiritual son, Timothy offered one of the greatest principles of
discipleship that I have ever come across. I like to call it the principle of reciprocation. This truth
is greatly defined in the words: win, grow, and send. Paul held Timothy to the standard that all
the things that he had learned from Christ, through the ministry of His spiritual father; he was to
teach and train the other men in the church he was currently leading.
16
This in itself is the essence of discipleship, to win people to Christ who have not heard
the truth of Jesus and the clear Gospel of salvation and to then allow them a safe place to grow;
which includes making mistakes and learning, and finally to send them out to train others in the
way they have been trained.
17
One of the greatest errors on the part of the church today, is our
lack of sending people to complete the work of Christ in their own sphere of influence. Churches
and ministries have made a very bad habit of “harboring believers” in hopes of increasing their
own impact in their communities. But this was never the plan of Christ for His church. His desire
was that we commit the things that we have learned, train and steward the spiritual maturity of
others, and then allow them to teach, train, and equip others also.
Within the context of the African American community, this would look like me being the
best leader and pastor I am called to be. Daily following the plan that God has given me for the
16
Thomas D. Lea and Hayne P. Griffin,
1, 2 Timothy, Titus
, vol. 34, The New American Commentary
(Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1992), 201.
17 Dave Earley and Rod Dempsey,
Disciple Making Is--: How to Live the Great Commission with Passion
and Confidence
(Nashville, TN: B & H Academic, 2013), 105.
13
local body which I am a shepherd of. It would also look like, investing time in young believers,
specifically young men. Allowing them to learn, make mistakes, but also lead and fulfill their
divine calling to walk in the character of Christ. Finally, it would look like me sending them to
impact the sphere of influence they have been given, for the glory of God.
14
Bibliography
Bonhoeffer, Dietrich.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works.
Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 1996.
Buchanan, Robert Angus. "History of Technology." Encyclopædia Britannica. January 05, 2018.
Accessed December 16, 2018. https://www.britannica.com/technology/history-of-
technology/From-the-Middle-Ages-to-1750.
Carlson, Greg.
Perspectives on Children’s Spiritual Formation: Four Views
. Nashville, TN:
Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2006.
Earley, Dave, and Rod Dempsey.
Disciple Making Is--: How to Live the Great Commission with
Passion and Confidence
. Nashville, TN: B & H Academic, 2013.
Guzik, David.
Ephesians
, David Guzik’s Commentaries on the Bible. Santa Barbara, CA: David
Guzik, 2013.
Lea, Thomas D. and Griffin, Hayne P.
1, 2 Timothy, Titus
, vol. 34, The New American
Commentary. Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1992.
Putman, Jim, Bobby Harrington, and Robert E. Coleman.
DiscipleShift: Five Steps That Help
Your Church to Make Disciples Who Make Disciples
. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2013.
The Holy Bible: New King James Version.
Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2013.
The Passion Translation: Complete New Testament.
Broadstreet Pub Group LLC, 2015.
Wilkey Collinson, Sylvia.
Making Disciples: The Significance of Jesus’ Educational Methods for
Today's Church
. Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock Publishers, 2004.
Wright, Tom.
Paul for Everyone: The Prison Letters: Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and
Philemon
. London: Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, 2004.
15
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16