Make a pathway for seekers to become disciples
This session helps us to recognise that Jesus was not so much concerned about increasing church attendance, rather He wanted to make disciples. He wanted people to step out on a lifelong faith journey. Consider your own faith journey…
How was your journey from being a seeker to becoming a disciple or one who serves your church or community?
- Who were the key people who helped you?
- How long did it take?
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?
Are you running 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 confirmation groups?
Are you offering 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? Remember 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?