Make a pathway for seekers to become disciples
A session to help us think that Jesus was not so much concerned about increasing the number of church attenders. Rather He wanted to make disciples, He wanted people to begin a lifelong faith journey.
So to begin think about your own faith journey…
Looking at the picture, which vehicle best represents where you are on your faith journey?!
- How was your journey from being a seeker to becoming a disciples or one who serves your church or community?
- Who were the key people who helped you?
- Did it take a longtime or did everything move very quickly?
Think about yours or anyone’s faith journey as 4 phases.
1). Seekers – ‘We would like to see Jesus’ – John Ch.12 vs.20-22
What have you been doing to make contact with seekers?
Are you inviting people to the appropriate events?
Have you got an enquirers’ course? (For example, Start, Christianity Explored, Alpha)
2). Disciples – ‘Follow me’ – Matthew Ch.4 vs.18-20
How effectively do you gather people into church membership or confirmatiuon groups?
Have you got a good discipleship course? (For example Alpha, Discipleship Explored, Pilgrim)
3). Servants – ‘Be a servant’ – Mark Ch.10 vs.42-45
How do you develop a servant mentality in your church?
Do you introduce your disciples to tasks of ministry?
Are there ways for them to get involved in serving the local community?
4). Apostles – ‘Go out into all the world’ – Matthew Ch.28 vs.16-20
Helping disciples to identify their own mission field. Equipping them to invite others, tell their story and ask the big question, ‘What do you think about God?’
A picture to help you visualise the stepping stones on someone’s spiritual journey.
Are they in place in your church?
Also, don’t forget to make a spiritual pathway for children and young people.
Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them, for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs.’
(Matthew Ch.19 v.14)
- Are you making contact with children and young people in your community?
- Is there a place where they can gather and have fun together?
- Are you inviting them to something that is relevant for them, their own ‘God space’?
- How do you help them learn and grow as disciples?
- Do children and young people have opportunities to serve in your church?