Last week you evaluated your people and determined where they stood as disciples. If you haven't done this, look back at previous post for more information.
Today, let's start with a question.
Is your discipleship program producing laborers & leaders?
Many churches offer Sunday School or Small Groups. People faithfully attend and learn. But in the end what is accomplised? A lot of information is given but little development occurs.
Is your discipleship program producing laborers & leaders?
Many churches offer Sunday School or Small Groups. People faithfully attend and learn. But in the end what is accomplised? A lot of information is given but little development occurs.
For a discipleship progam to be successful it should be intentional as it matures disciples and builds leaders and laborers.
Right Intent - Wrong Question
I am a pastor of a small church. Recently, I met with the elders, and one raised a concern. He asked, “Where are we going to find more Sunday School teachers?”
No sooner did he ask that question than another asked, “And we’re not getting any younger. Where are we going to get some younger men to be elders?”
These questions were sincere, but they were the wrong questions. You don’t find Sunday School teachers. You don’t find elders. You train and equip people to become elders and teachers.
Look at Ephesians 4:11-12
"And He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:"
God gave to the church gifted people for the purpose of equipping church workers. You, pastor, are one of those gifted people.
No sooner did he ask that question than another asked, “And we’re not getting any younger. Where are we going to get some younger men to be elders?”
These questions were sincere, but they were the wrong questions. You don’t find Sunday School teachers. You don’t find elders. You train and equip people to become elders and teachers.
Look at Ephesians 4:11-12
"And He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:"
God gave to the church gifted people for the purpose of equipping church workers. You, pastor, are one of those gifted people.
As a pastor, it is NOT your responsibility to do all the work. It is your responsibility to train and equip those who will do the work.
Thus, the ultimate evaluation of your discipleship program is whether or not it matures believers and identifies and develops laborers and leaders.
What the elders should have asked was, What are we doing to train and equip our future leaders?”
Scope & Sequence
In the school system, the education of young people is planned out. Administrators, teachers, textbook publishers all work together and map out the students' education track. They call this Scope & Sequence.
Think of it this way. Scope are the ideas, concepts, verses, books.....you want the students to cover. Sequence is the order the students acquire it.
Here are a few questions to help you think about this.
- What are the 4-5 things a new believer must learn?
- What must a believer learn or experience to be considered mature in their faith?
- How will you provide on-the-job training to potential laborers and leaders?
There's no reason to make it any more complicated than that. But please understand, until you are intentional in developing your laborers and leaders there will be little fruit within your discipleship program.
Homework
I want you to sit down and map out a simple Scope & Sequence for your discipleship program. Start with the three questions above.
When you're finished drop me an email with your Scope and Sequence included. I'll shoot back to you a few coaching questions. You can email me at Mark@CoachingChristianLeaders.com.
I look forward to hearing form you.
Mark
Comments
Post a Comment
Thanks for reading Coaching Christian Leaders. I value your insights and welcome your comments. All comments will go through a moderation process and some comments may not be published.