Discipleship Filters
But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. – 2 Peter 3:18 (NIV)
- Target – Consider how existing members, new members and prospects are motivated to participate.
- Goals & Purpose – Identify the spiritual development purpose.
- Measures & Success – Identify how quantitative and qualitative success is measured.
- Follow-Up – Design a follow-up or follow-on strategy to the ministry or event.
Discipleship Strategy Examples
I. ADULT GROUPS
Increase community connections with new groups, teacher development and a consistent inreach and outreach plan.
- NEW CLASSES – Expand the small group network of the church with new classes.
- Single Adults – Form a new single adult class to focus on the needs of community singles in the 24-35 age range. Identify a median adult couple to teach the class.
- Active & Mature Families – Form four new active and mature families adult classes at the 8:15 a.m. Bible Fellowship hour to create additional space for growth.
- Children & Students – Form new classes for children and students at the 8:15 Bible Fellowship hour to facilitate growth across the full spectrum of ages at that hour. Add age-graded classes to facilitate adult classes at 8:15 a.m. Promote new classes as an opportunity to come early to Sunday School and leave by 10:45 a.m.
- NEW TEACHER DEVELOPMENT – Expand the small group network of the church with a clear process for identifying, recruiting and mentoring new teachers.
- Apprentice Teachers – Lead every adult teacher to identify, recruit and mentor an apprentice teacher in their class. Ask each assistant teacher to teach at least once per quarter. Link this effort to the church’s 2011 theme, “Reach, Grow, Serve.”
- New Teachers – Evaluate potential small group teacher candidates once per month in staff meeting. Ask staff for potential teacher recommendations.
- TEACHER GROWTH – Equip teachers with tools to grow in their teaching and class leadership responsibilities.
- Monthly E-Newsletter – Communicate with teachers and class leaders with a monthly e-newsletter. Provide study resources, lesson updates, schedule information and other news. Use Constant Contact to create and distribute the e-newsletter.
- Teacher Meetings – Schedule quarterly Sunday afternoon teacher meetings to motivate, encourage, train and administer the church’s Bible Fellowship ministry. Plan for a high-energy, well-organized meeting and provide a light meal to encourage attendance.
- Annual Recognition Service – Recognize the work and ministry of Bible Fellowship teachers with an annual recognition service. Give small gifts to mark milestones—5, 10 and 15 years of service.
- CONSISTENT INREACH – Lead each teacher and class to implement a regular inreach plan.
- Inreach Leader & Plan – Lead each class to appoint an inreach or care group leader to organize ministry to class members. Give each class full flexibility to create their inreach plan.
- Regular Contacts – Assign class members the responsibility for making regular contacts with shorter-term absentees. Ask classes to contact members after two absences.
- Teacher Contacts – Ask each teacher to make regular contacts with longer-term absentees. Ask teachers to contact members after four absences.
- CONSISTENT OUTREACH – Lead each teacher and class to implement a regular outreach and evangelism plan.
- Sharing Testimonies – Ask teachers to use time at the beginning of class to have members tell how they are using “Every Believer a Witness” principles to share their faith daily. Teachers can give regular examples of their own efforts. Ask classes to have at least one testimony each week.
- Outreach Leader & Plan – Lead each class to appoint an outreach leader to organize ministry to new prospects assigned to each group. Give each class full flexibility to create their outreach plan.
- Group Invite Cards – Provide Bible study invite cards to groups. Ask members to use the cards as an outreach tool.