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Intentional Disciplemaking: Cultivating Spiritual Maturity in the Local Church
This book lays out what a biblical disciple of Christ looks like and how the church can create an environment geared toward making disciples and helping its people grow in spiritual maturity.
- GenresDiscipleshipChristian
112 pages, Paperback
First published June 5, 2001
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39 people want to read
About the author
Ron Bennett
32 books1 followerLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
October 29, 2021
An exceptional book that I highly recommend to all Christians, especially those that are interested in the disciplemaking process and its advancement within their local church communities.
Here are some excerpts that I thought are noteworthy:
"Both Peter and Paul understood that spiritual maturity comes not simply from a design, but from great effort. It begins with personal effort and can be encouraged, in a disciplemaking community."
- pg. 20
"...too often the emphasis for new believers seems to be on external conformation, not radical internal transformation. After all, aren't we all basically good inside--especially if given the right environment?
In Romans 12:1-2, Paul taught the opposite: nothing short of complete transformation fits the plan of God for our lives."
- pg. 34
"The book of Acts explains that the early church found much of its success through the centrifugal force spinning from Jerusalem. And much of the New Testament records how Jesus changed the direction of evangelism forever with His "go to the mountains" approach.
- pg. 54
"The important phrase "to observe" is critical to the disciplemaking process because it means following Jesus--not just listening to His message. It's the difference between information and application."
- pgs. 74-75
Here are some excerpts that I thought are noteworthy:
"Both Peter and Paul understood that spiritual maturity comes not simply from a design, but from great effort. It begins with personal effort and can be encouraged, in a disciplemaking community."
- pg. 20
"...too often the emphasis for new believers seems to be on external conformation, not radical internal transformation. After all, aren't we all basically good inside--especially if given the right environment?
In Romans 12:1-2, Paul taught the opposite: nothing short of complete transformation fits the plan of God for our lives."
- pg. 34
"The book of Acts explains that the early church found much of its success through the centrifugal force spinning from Jerusalem. And much of the New Testament records how Jesus changed the direction of evangelism forever with His "go to the mountains" approach.
- pg. 54
"The important phrase "to observe" is critical to the disciplemaking process because it means following Jesus--not just listening to His message. It's the difference between information and application."
- pgs. 74-75
September 10, 2012
Takeaways
In the preface, Ron asks, “What impact does your ministry have on the culture in which it exists? How much does it shape the morals, character, agenda, perceptions, and worldview of those in the local community? Are you acting, or being acted upon?” This is a troubling but helpful question for our church these days
Ron tells the story of his son Bryan, who, although in his 20s, “has never walked, never seen the sun, and never said "Dad" or "Mom," he has never played baseball, run through a sprinkler, or given us a hug." Bryan became "a prisoner in his own body when severe brain damage created multiple handicaps that permanently jammed his maturation process. Consequently, he has had 25 years of living, but only 9 months of normal, healthy development."
"God must feel a similar sadness and pain when his children get Stock at spiritual infancy, childhood, or adolescence-when they never reach spiritual adulthood with all the privileges and responsibilities it entails. Of course, God's love remains constant and immeasurable regardless. But like a human parent, God can also feel disappointment, pain and loss."
Effective discipleship involves teaching self-feeding skills–competence in studying the Bible and in applying it to daily living. The disciple making community's motto should be, "Knives and forks for everyone!”
Richard Foster categorizes spiritual disciplines as
• In word parentheses meditation, prayer, fasting, study)
• outward (simplicity, solitude, submission, service)
• Corporate (confession, worship, guidance, celebration)
At the Chapel in Akron, Ohio the church pursues 7 characteristics of discipleship:
1 learner
2 reproducer
3 server
4 relator
5 worshiper
6 rester
7 giver
"Intentional disciplemaking communities need to create this same expectation: spiritual parenting involves developing a third-generation."
Dallas Willard asks these 3 questions in his book The Divine Conspiracy:
• Does the gospel I preached and teach cause those who hear it to become full-time students of Jesus?
• Would those who believe it become his apprentices as a natural " next step"?
• What can we reasonably expect would result from people actually believing the substance of my message? (See Matthew 19:16-26.)
Ron tells an interesting story about attending a summer band concert featuring sixth-graders. “We were not applauding a great performance–we were applauding change! After all, most of us have heard these same kids play in 5th grade."
" people can attend church and feel entertained, even impressed. Some leave with a wonderful warm feeling. But do they ever learn to play an instrument for themselves? do they ever transform into true musicians who love to make music for God with others?"
Remember the 3 broad categories of non-Christians: the lost within the church, the lost who will visit the church, and the lost who will not visit the church. This last category is growing, therefore, we need to develop strategies for pursuing them that do not involve a visit to a church campus.
Tommy Nelson, pastor of Denton Bible Church asked these 4 questions:
• What kind of person is your community trying to produce?
• What kind of community produces that kind of person?
• What kind of leadership reduces that kind of community?
• What kind of pastor produces that kind of leadership?
"God provides models in every generation, and wise coaches point out those models. A wise coach doesn't feel threatened by others who do it better, but welcomes the chance to promote quality demonstrations in a variety of uniforms."
" Disciple making leaders willingly assess and correct. They don't judge, but honestly try to support growth in those they coach. They avoid trying to impress people with what they know or what they have done. Instead, they focus on developing others to their fullest potential. They also realize that it's not only what you say but also how you say it that influences others. Finally, they don't treat everyone in the same way–they remain sensitive to God as they help build spiritual maturity in the lives of others."
Wise targets for prayer based on John 17:
• Unity, verse 11
• Protection, verse 15
• Transformation, verse 17
• Spiritual generations, verses 20 to 21
• Intimacy, verse 24
“Brokenness happens when you realize that you are a channel rather than a source: that you are dependent rather than independent."
Read Joshua 3:15-16
"This story illustrates two principles of faith. The first is that acting on faith releases God's power. As long as they stood on the bank, there would be no power, no miracle, no dry land–no Promised Land. Faith expressed in obedience resulted in God exerting his power on their behalf.
"The second is that acting on faith doesn't necessarily produce apparent results. Faith and obedience can still result in wet feet when God's power is not immediately revealed. After all, the priests' miracle happened upstream–well out of sight–as they stood in the mud and rushing water with the nation watching. To catch God's power, they had to keep the sale of faith up for a long time–as might you."
"Beware that your compelling ministry vision would replace your passion for intimacy with Christ. Don't let toiling for Him become more exciting than walking with Him and don't let serving the King supersede knowing the King."
In the preface, Ron asks, “What impact does your ministry have on the culture in which it exists? How much does it shape the morals, character, agenda, perceptions, and worldview of those in the local community? Are you acting, or being acted upon?” This is a troubling but helpful question for our church these days
Ron tells the story of his son Bryan, who, although in his 20s, “has never walked, never seen the sun, and never said "Dad" or "Mom," he has never played baseball, run through a sprinkler, or given us a hug." Bryan became "a prisoner in his own body when severe brain damage created multiple handicaps that permanently jammed his maturation process. Consequently, he has had 25 years of living, but only 9 months of normal, healthy development."
"God must feel a similar sadness and pain when his children get Stock at spiritual infancy, childhood, or adolescence-when they never reach spiritual adulthood with all the privileges and responsibilities it entails. Of course, God's love remains constant and immeasurable regardless. But like a human parent, God can also feel disappointment, pain and loss."
Effective discipleship involves teaching self-feeding skills–competence in studying the Bible and in applying it to daily living. The disciple making community's motto should be, "Knives and forks for everyone!”
Richard Foster categorizes spiritual disciplines as
• In word parentheses meditation, prayer, fasting, study)
• outward (simplicity, solitude, submission, service)
• Corporate (confession, worship, guidance, celebration)
At the Chapel in Akron, Ohio the church pursues 7 characteristics of discipleship:
1 learner
2 reproducer
3 server
4 relator
5 worshiper
6 rester
7 giver
"Intentional disciplemaking communities need to create this same expectation: spiritual parenting involves developing a third-generation."
Dallas Willard asks these 3 questions in his book The Divine Conspiracy:
• Does the gospel I preached and teach cause those who hear it to become full-time students of Jesus?
• Would those who believe it become his apprentices as a natural " next step"?
• What can we reasonably expect would result from people actually believing the substance of my message? (See Matthew 19:16-26.)
Ron tells an interesting story about attending a summer band concert featuring sixth-graders. “We were not applauding a great performance–we were applauding change! After all, most of us have heard these same kids play in 5th grade."
" people can attend church and feel entertained, even impressed. Some leave with a wonderful warm feeling. But do they ever learn to play an instrument for themselves? do they ever transform into true musicians who love to make music for God with others?"
Remember the 3 broad categories of non-Christians: the lost within the church, the lost who will visit the church, and the lost who will not visit the church. This last category is growing, therefore, we need to develop strategies for pursuing them that do not involve a visit to a church campus.
Tommy Nelson, pastor of Denton Bible Church asked these 4 questions:
• What kind of person is your community trying to produce?
• What kind of community produces that kind of person?
• What kind of leadership reduces that kind of community?
• What kind of pastor produces that kind of leadership?
"God provides models in every generation, and wise coaches point out those models. A wise coach doesn't feel threatened by others who do it better, but welcomes the chance to promote quality demonstrations in a variety of uniforms."
" Disciple making leaders willingly assess and correct. They don't judge, but honestly try to support growth in those they coach. They avoid trying to impress people with what they know or what they have done. Instead, they focus on developing others to their fullest potential. They also realize that it's not only what you say but also how you say it that influences others. Finally, they don't treat everyone in the same way–they remain sensitive to God as they help build spiritual maturity in the lives of others."
Wise targets for prayer based on John 17:
• Unity, verse 11
• Protection, verse 15
• Transformation, verse 17
• Spiritual generations, verses 20 to 21
• Intimacy, verse 24
“Brokenness happens when you realize that you are a channel rather than a source: that you are dependent rather than independent."
Read Joshua 3:15-16
"This story illustrates two principles of faith. The first is that acting on faith releases God's power. As long as they stood on the bank, there would be no power, no miracle, no dry land–no Promised Land. Faith expressed in obedience resulted in God exerting his power on their behalf.
"The second is that acting on faith doesn't necessarily produce apparent results. Faith and obedience can still result in wet feet when God's power is not immediately revealed. After all, the priests' miracle happened upstream–well out of sight–as they stood in the mud and rushing water with the nation watching. To catch God's power, they had to keep the sale of faith up for a long time–as might you."
"Beware that your compelling ministry vision would replace your passion for intimacy with Christ. Don't let toiling for Him become more exciting than walking with Him and don't let serving the King supersede knowing the King."
January 15, 2016
This book was recommended by my senior pastor. It is a great resource for all ministers seeking to disciple others towards spritual maturity. One great quote "Don't let toiling for Him become more exciting than walking with Him and don't let serving the King supersede knowing the King."
June 18, 2016
Fantastic! Written from the perspective of motivating churches and their staff/volunteers to transition to a laboring, lifestyle discipleship focus.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews