Turning Decisionees into Disciples

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Turning Decisionees into Disciples

• A Plan for the Local Church

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Welcome Activity

• Break into groups of 2
• Grab a pack for each group
• Should include
• 2 nametags, 2 slices of bread, peanut butter,
  jelly, knife, and plate
• Listen to instructions from presenter

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Process Activity

• Was the activity difficult?
• Was it frustrating?
• Was it easier than you thought it would be?

• Key Point - As Christians we often take for
  granted the basics of the Christian faith, but we
  cannot do that with the new Christians we are
  discipling.

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Why disciple?

• Biblical Basis

• Parable of the Sower - Matthew 131-9, 18-23
• The Great Commission - Matthew 2819-20

• Key Point - Jesus has commanded us to make
  disciples, not converts!

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One-on-One 101
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One-on-One 101

• Why one-on-one groups are so important

• Puts the responsibility of discipleship in the
  laitys hands
• Helps the new believer feel more comfortable
• Capitalizes on an already-existing relationship

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One-on-One 101

• CAUTION -
• The discipler must be careful not to shape and
  mold the disciple according to his or her own
  preconceived notions about God. The discipler
  must remember the centrality of Scripture and the
  leading of the Holy Spirit.

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One-on-One Elements

• Timing begin immediately after the decision for
  Christ is made. Last 6 months - 1 year.

• Bible Study the central element, begin
  somewhere simple (like Mark), read the same
  Scripture as the new Christian, agree on set
  amounts each week.

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One-on-One Elements

• Prayer pray with the new believer and help them
  understand the full meaning of prayer.

• Accountability vital to the young faith of the
  new believer, helps to deal with temptation and
  avoid sin.

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One-on-One Benefits

• Easier for the new believer to ask questions
• Church and worship
• Theological

• Easy to discuss sacraments
• Baptism
• Eucharist

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One-on-One Benefits
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One-on-One Meetings

• How should a meeting be conducted?

• Frequency
• Once a week
• 1-2.5 hours

• Format
• Catch up - listen to each other, ask about prayer
  requests
• Prayer - pray for each other (10-20 min.)
• Scripture study - the biggest emphasis (30 min.)

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One-on-One Meetings

• Possible questions for Scripture study-

• What did you like about the verses you read?
• What did you dislike about the verses you read?
• What did you not understand?
• What did you learn? How did you (or will you)
  apply what you learned?
• What in your life needs to change after reading
  these verses?

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One-on-One Meeting

• Further Questions - allow time for other
  questions (15-20 min.)
• Close with Prayer

Special note - we have included some supplemental
resources in your packet that have some examples
of one-on-one groups for you to reference.
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Small Groups Church Life

• During the same time One-on-One is occurring, the
  new believer ought to be involved in some other
  small group within the church

• This helps to
• Combat isolation
• Integrate into the church fellowship
• Become a part of the larger community

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Serving God

• Biblical Basis 1 Corinthians 124-11, 14-20

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Serving God - Prerequisites

• Prerequisites churches need to have in place-

• Spiritual Gifts testing
• C. Peter Wager Your Spiritual Gifts

• Ministry recruitment and ministry placement

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Serving God - Guidelines

• New believer in church for at least 6 months
  before serving.
• Rationale the church needs time to determine
  their character.

• Also, the young believer is not in service roles
  that require teaching or strong leadership
  skills.
• Rationale they need time for their faith to take
  root.

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Serving God - Suggestions

• The new Christian ought to have a mentor in the
  ministry they are serving in.

• The new Christian needs to know the requirements
  that are associated with the volunteer position.

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Serving God - Positive Outcomes

• The young Christian is able to apply principles
  they are learning.

• Helps the new believer to find a balance between
  loving God and neighbor.

• Another avenue for relationships within the
  church to be built.

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Leadership, Evangelism, Teaching

• Leadership

• After the new believer has been in some level of
  service for one year we recommend deeper levels
  of commitment.

• The believer may have the gifts of leadership and
  if they do they ought to pursue leadership within
  the church.

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Leadership, Evangelism, Teaching
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Leadership, Evangelism, Teaching

• Evangelism

• Every Christian should be involved in evangelism

• New believers will most likely be excited to
  share their faith

• Churches ought to provide training for the new
  believer so they are prepared to evangelize

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Leadership, Evangelism, Teaching

• Teaching

• The young Christian is able to teach new
  Christians in the one-on-one groups

• Discipleship has now come full circle!

• The once new convert is now a committed and
  active disciple!

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Concluding Challenge

• Review

• We are commanded to make disciples

• After a person has become a Christian we must
  plug them into 2 key areas
• One-on-One groups
• Small Groups

• The new believer should begin service after a
  period of time

• Lastly, the believer should engage in leadership
  and evangelism in the church

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Concluding Challenge

• At this point the cycle has come full circle!

Remember the key point of this presentation
We are called to make disciples!