The one-on-one discipleship ministry of Lincoln Baptist Church utilizes among other items the First Steps Discipleship Workbook. This workbook is geared to establish both new and seasoned believers who may never have been discipled in the fundamentals of one’s new life in Christ. The workbook begins by asking this searching question:
“If you were responsible to teach and train a new Christian would you know exactly what to do to maximize the chances that this new Christian would reach maturity?”
Discipleship is Christ’s clear mandate to every Christian. It is the heart of the Great Commission to “go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” (Matt. 28:19-20)
Scripture urges every believer to press on to a personal maturity in Christ…
“let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, instruction about cleansing rites, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. And God permitting, we will do so.” (Hebrews 6:1-3)
And to be a discipler of others…
“And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.” (2 Timothy 2:2)
The fundamentals covered are: Assurance, Freedom, Priorities, the Bible, Prayer, Fellowship, Evangelism, God’s Will, and the Return of Christ.
I have led many in discipleship meeting regularly at whatever pace is needed to instill these fundamentals but there is always need for reminders or review. That is what I hope to look at in these Thursday blogs on Discipleship.
But discipleship is not merely a matter of mastering a textbook. That alone produces only a dead faith. One-on-one discipleship adds the elements of confidential accountability and personal mentorship, prayer support and exhortation.
Are you interested in being discipled one-on-one in the fundamentals of new life in Christ?
Or, perhaps you would you like to know how to begin this journey and take the very first of the First Steps by turning from your current path and committing your path to Christ? — Use the Contact page and we’ll get you started.
thebrokenrunner 