Discipleship

Group Leader
Training Course
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For D Group Leaders…!
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First Edition - Fall, 2015


Stones Crossing - Disciple making disciples…!

Developed by Keith Groves/Stones Crossing Church, 2015

D GROUP TRAINING 1
I) The Mission Revealed!!
Who invested most in you and your spiritual life?!
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What’s one overriding action Jesus wants from all Christians?!
! Hint: It involves loving Him and others enough to do this… (Make Disciples)!
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Agree or Disagree?!
“Nothing matters more than being a disciple of Jesus and making disciples. Nothing is more noble
and inspiring.” adapted from Harrington & Patrick
Intro statements… !
www.youtube.com/watch?v=rk8ERxqCZqQ&feature=youtu.be !
Discipleship, modeled after Jesus, equals directed, intentional relationship. Directed, because
it has a goal; to enable people to trust and follow Jesus Christ. Intentional, because disciples
were & are chosen. Relationship, because discipleship happens from person to person. It’s
not a program, it’s life on life interaction which leads to transformation into the likeness of
Jesus. Who are you discipling? Why?!
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What is a Disciple?!
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A disciple is a learner, student or follower of Jesus Christ. !
! S/He is growing in love for and trust in, Jesus. S/He is fully devoted to Him. !
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“And he (Jesus) said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”!
!! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! Matthew 4:19!
So, according to Jesus, a disciple is a person who:!
! 1) is following Christ (head) !! ! FOLLOWING Jesus!
! 2) is being changed by Christ (heart) Being FORMED by Jesus!
! 3) is living the mission of Christ (hands) FAITHFUL to His mission !
! 4) and leads others to do the same (health) FINISHED replica !
!! ! ! ! ! ! ! !
Knowledge about the Word of God and the Christian life must move from the head to
the heart; where it can affect character, and from the heart to the hands; where it can affect
our actions. Spiritually mature Christians live relationally - they love God and love others.
Their resources, abilities, and time are at His disposal so His mission can be completed.

D GROUP TRAINING 2
Spiritual health involves disciples whose head, heart, and hands do the bidding of Jesus.
Disciples commit all they have and all they are to finish the work of God - making disciples
of all nations. !

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What is discipleship?!
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“Discipleship is helping people to trust and follow Jesus.” Harrington/Patrick!

!! “ It’s leading others to increasingly submit all of life to the empowering Lordship
of Jesus Christ.” Jeff Vanderstelt! !
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“Discipling others is the process by which a Christian with a life worth emulating commits
himself for an extended period of time to a few individuals who have been won to Christ, the purpose
being to aid and guide their growth to maturity and equip them to reproduce themselves in a
third spiritual generation.” Alan Hadidian!
!! ! Key words: Example & relationship!
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Note: Discipleship is not a separate or distinct category, it is a synonym for Christian living!
! It’s a process - not a program or event! !
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Disciple making is much more than baptizing people. It is equipping people to embrace the lifestyle of
surrender and obedience to all of Jesus’ teachings. Harrington & Patrick!

D GROUP TRAINING 3
 The Spirit of God + a clear goal + an intentional leader + relational environment !
+ reproducible process = an infinite number of disciples!
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What is a D Group?!
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It’s a weekly discipleship group where a spiritually mature (well qualified & trained)
group leader invests in the lives of 3 - 9 people; with the intention of imparting the Gospel,
God’s Word, and one’s life in such a way as to see the group members become mature and
fully equipped followers of Jesus, who are committed to doing the same in the lives of others.!
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Describe a D Group…!
!! 1) Christ focused!
!! 2) Gospel centered, i.e. grace centered!
!! 3) Holy Spirit directed!
!! 4) Love motivated!
!! 5) Relationship oriented!
!! 6) Curriculum aided!
!! 7) Disciple activated!
!! 8) Leader lead!
!! 9) Transformation driven!
!! 10) Multiplication compelled !

D GROUP TRAINING 4
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Who leads a D group and how are they chosen & trained?!

D Group leaders are mature Christians who love the Lord Jesus and want to invest in others
to leave a legacy of impacting lives for generations. They must be a committed Christ
follower, a member of SCC, attend our D Group Leader training course, pass through an
interview process, love people and commit to leading for at least one year. !
They strive to live a life worthy to be emulated, because they imitate Christ. !
They are not perfect persons; just forgiven and living in the grace of God. !
They also take part in periodic supplemental training/communication sessions. !
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Biblical basis: Why Make Disciples? !
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Matthew 28:18-20 (primary passage)
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And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth !
has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, !
baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, !
20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. !
And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”!
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II Timothy 2:1-2 !
You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, !
2 and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust !
to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. !
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D GROUP TRAINING 5
 Luke 6:12-13!
In these days he went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued !
in prayer to God. 13 And when day came, he called his disciples !
and chose from them twelve, whom he named apostles: !
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“Not all discipleship is transformational, but transformation only comes through the discipleship
that is centered on Jesus.” GKN!
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I Corinthians 11:1 !
Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ. (I Corinthians 4:16 too)!
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Philippians 4:9 !
! ! What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—!
! ! practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.! !
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“You cannot effectively lead someone down a pathway where you haven’t gone yourself.
(You can’t take them spiritually where you haven’t been.)
You can tell them about the path or direct them to it; but it’s not the same as having them
actually follow your leadership or your example down the trail of life in Christ.”
! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! K. Groves!

D GROUP TRAINING 6
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I Thessalonians 1:6-8 !
And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word !
in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, 7 so that you !
became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. !
8 For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you
in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth
everywhere, so that we need not say anything.! !
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II Timothy 3:10-11 !
You, however, have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience,
my love, my steadfastness, 11 my persecutions and sufferings that happened to me !
at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra—which persecutions I endured; !
yet from them all the Lord rescued me. ! !
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“Go after hearts. God does not desire to tweak our behavior.
He desires to transform our lives.” (Real) Discipleship is transformation,
not information overload or behavioral modification.” GKN!
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Titus 2:7-8 !
Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching !
show integrity, dignity, 8 and sound speech that cannot be condemned, !
so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us.!
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Colossians 1:28-29 !
Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, !
that we may present everyone mature in Christ. !
29 For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.!
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“Our mission is to give people the best life possible by connecting them to God
and His family and equipping them to get involved with what He’s doing in the world.” !
Ralph Moore!

D GROUP TRAINING 7
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Discipling is different from mentoring…!
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! Mentoring usually emphasizes skill development to accomplish a goal or task. !
! ! It’s also typically one-on-one.!
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! Discipleship focuses on Christ-centered and people-centered relationships. !
! It’s about connecting with God and others as you grow to become more like Jesus, !
! not just emulating another person you know. There’s a life-on-life component which
! goes beyond just instruction. !
! ! Biblical examples: Bible= Jethro-Moses (mentor), Moses-Joshua (disciple).
! ! Mentoring example: following Donald Trump and his ways (Apprentice).
! ! Discipleship example: following Billy Graham and his ways (disciple).! !
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Goal: We are seeking to become more like Jesus, not become a mini-me of someone else.!
Mutual accountability is essential in a D group, because no one person has arrived at the
place where s/he can model the complete picture of Jesus. We all have strengths and
weaknesses. We need to build on the strengths and bolster the weaknesses with help from
the Holy Spirit and those who exhibit strength in our weaker areas. !
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Discipleship and Grace
Does being involved in discipleship make God love you more? You may be
tempted to think that God loves you and accepts you more because you’re willing to
memorize verses, make significant commitments, learn about the Bible, and even
share your faith. But, don’t believe it! Engaging in discipleship activities is not a
means of earning God’s favor. Being a Christian means that you’ve stopped trying
to earn God’s favor. Instead you follow Christ because you trust that Jesus has
earned God’s favor for you. Becoming a mature and equipped follower of Christ
doesn’t win you any more of God’s love. Rather, God’s love
and grace give you the freedom, power, and joyful motivation
to follow Christ with all your heart. Through life-on-life
discipleship you may well understand God’s character and
will better. You may even feel closer to him…

D GROUP TRAINING 8
 But all this doesn’t put you in a special class of God’s favorites.
His love is just as real (and just as undeserved) for those who don’t have the
privilege of being discipled.

II Peter 3:18
But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.!

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“Disciple making includes much more than just conversion because it focuses on helping people
obey everything that Jesus commanded. That is a really big, lifelong shift.” !
! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! Harrington & Patrick!

D GROUP TRAINING 9
II) The Master’s Plan!
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! The Master’s Plan of Evangelism, Robert Coleman!
! ! (Read book ahead of training)!
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How often do you tell people about Christ, with the goal of helping them
to trust Jesus and yield to Him for salvation?!
When did you last influence someone to become a Christ follower? !
Who was it?!
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How often do you assist believers in becoming more like Jesus? Who did
you last influence in a significant way?!
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Many times people talk about two distinct Christian activities:!
! evangelism - winning people to Jesus !
! discipleship - helping Christians grow. Is this distinction Biblical? Explain…!
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Some people say individuals and Churches do either one or the other; that they are mutually
exclusive…!
We believe they are intertwined. Evangelism is telling people about God’s grace.
Discipleship is helping them walk in God’s grace. Individuals and Churches can, and
should be doing both. We label this as Discipleship = winning the lost and strengthening
Christ followers to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus. !
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“Discipleship is helping people to trust and follow Jesus.” Harrington/Patrick!
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What is my personal strategy for evangelism/discipleship?
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“It is more important to train a soul winner than to win a soul.” Robert Coleman!
What do you think?!
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D GROUP TRAINING 10
What are the 8 Principles Jesus used in creating disciples? His Master Plan…!
! 1) Selection!
! 2) Association!
! 3) Consecration!
! 4) Impartation!
! 5) Demonstration!
! 6) Delegation!
! 7) Supervision!
! 8) Reproduction!
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1963 version…2014 he added - #1 = Incarnation (He became flesh and lived among us!)!
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What was your overall impression of the book?!
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What really struck you?!
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What are a few of the reproducible parts of Jesus’ disciple-making process?!
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What barriers hinder the mission of the Church to make disciples?!
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How can we overcome them?!
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Points to ponder:!
! 1) Jesus = The perfect example (others are imperfectly striving to be like Him)!
! 2) Form follows function!
! 3) His objective was clear !
! ! 3 - 3 1/2 years, no plan b!
! 4) He planned to win!
! ! see some of the results today…!
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Let’s discuss the principles in more detail…!
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! 1) Selection - His method for evangelism/discipleship = People!
! ! Describe those Jesus chose…!
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Acts 4:13!
Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, !
and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. !
And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.!
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D GROUP TRAINING 11
! Begin praying… Who does God want you to disciple? __________________________!
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! 2) Association - He was building disciples by being with them.!
! ! Who are your best non-Christian friends? !
! ! Who do you know well?!
! ! What can you do to improve your influence?!
! 3) Consecration (Commitment) - He needed a willingness to be obeyed/followed.!
! ! In Luke 9:57-62 How does Jesus answer perspective followers?!
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! ! Let’s take a quick look at Biblical priorities:!
! ! ! #1) Lord God (Colossians 1:18, Mark 12:29-31)!
! ! ! #2) Spouse (Ephesians 5:21-33, I Corinthians 7:3-4)!
! ! ! #3) Family - kids and immediate relatives ( I Timothy 5:8)!
! ! ! #4) Church/Body of Christ ( I Corinthians 12:7, Romans 12:4-8)!
! ! ! #5) Work (I Thessalonians 4:10-12)!
! ! ! #6) Other - hobbies/interests/clubs !
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! ! Do your priorities align properly (Biblically), as demonstrated by your !
! ! ! calendar and your bank account? - best indicators of spiritual condition!
! ! What changes need to be made? !
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! ! He is to be Lord of our entire life…!
! ! ! 1) Actions/activities!
! ! ! 2) Words!
! ! ! 3) Thoughts!
! ! ! 4) Resources: Time/money/abilities/possessions!
! ! ! 5) Relationships!
! ! What hinders you from being a better witness for Jesus?!
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! ! What specific plans do you have to get to know Jesus better?!
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! 4) Impartation - Jesus gave Himself away. He held nothing back in preparing the
! ! disciples for living life in Christ - easy things and challenges.!
! ! The Holy Spirit serves as our Helper/Comforter/Teacher!
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John 16:13-14!
When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, !
for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, !
and he will declare to you the things that are to come. 14 He will glorify me, !
for he will take what is mine and declare it to you.!

D GROUP TRAINING 12
! 5) Demonstration - He showed them how to grow closer to God.!
! ! “More is caught than taught.” Jesus exhibited the real and practical.!
! ! What lessons do we learn from the prayer life of Jesus?!
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! 6) Delegation - After the disciples watched Him, He let them try. !
! ! ! ! He gave them responsibility and authority.!
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! 7) Supervision - He checked on them and had them report on their experiences.!
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Luke 10:17!
The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us !
in your name!” !
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8) Reproduction - Are those being reached(discipled) reaching (discipling) others?!
! ! John…Ignatius & Polycarp…Irenaeus!
! ! Peter/Paul…Clement of Rome…!
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5 steps of Discipleship…!
! 1) I do. You watch. We talk. (dedicate/consecrate)!
! 2) I do. You help. We talk. (demonstrate)!
! 3) You do. I help. We talk. (supervise)!
! 4) You do. I watch. We talk. (authenticate)!
5) You do. Someone else watches. (release) to multiply!
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Key points of my Testimony:!
! ! 1) What my life was like before Jesus…!
! ! ! (Point out sin, but don’t glorify it)!
! ! 2) How did I come to know Him…!
! ! ! (How was I introduced to Jesus and what did I do to accept ! !
! ! ! ! His gift of grace?)!
! ! 3) What my life is like now…!
! ! ! (How has Christ impacted and changed my life?)!
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The following 3 pages will assist you in being prepared to share your testimony. !
Feel free to use them and practice on someone who can give you helpful feedback.!

D GROUP TRAINING 13
 Testimony Worksheets…
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In 3-4 minutes you should be able to share the reason for the hope you have through Jesus!
It’s important to have this ready ahead of time, so you can be effective with sharing your story
with others who need the Lord. Here’s what you share, how to do it and space to work on
your personal testimony. May God use it in powerful ways to impact others!
Remember, you don’t have to be a Billy Graham, just let God speak through you! He will!

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Three main points (parts) of a testimony…
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! ! 1) What my life was like before Jesus…!
! ! ! Point out sin, but don’t glorify it!
! ! 2) How did I come to know Him…!
! ! ! How was I introduced to Jesus and how did I accept !
! ! ! ! His gift of grace?!
! ! 3) What my life is like now…!
! ! ! How has Christ impacted and changed my life?!
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My Testimony:!
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Life before Jesus:!
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How did I come to know Jesus?!
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What my life is like with Jesus…!
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III) How can we most intentionally and effectively make disciples?!
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The core elements of disciple making:!
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1) Jesus - Jesus is the original disciple maker and centerpiece of discipleship.!
Our goal is to know, treasure and promote Him. (Colossians 1:28) (Holy Spirit)!
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2) Intentionality - To make disciples, we utilize strategy and a roadmap for!
those we are discipling. (I Timothy 4:8-9)!
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3) Relationships - Discipleship happens best in the context of genuine life-on-life!
connections grounded in Christlike love. (John 13:34-35) (accountability)!
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4) Bible - The Word of God is the manual for making disciples. The Bible is!
living and active. By it we encounter Jesus and learn to form our lives around Him. !
(II Timothy 3:16-17)!
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5) Journey - There is a traceable, though sometimes disjointed, growth story from!
the new birth to spiritual parenthood where the Holy Spirit leads us on a shared,!
formative journey. (Colossians 3:1-10)!
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6) Multiplication - Authentic discipleship repeats and multiplies, where the disciple!
becomes a disciple maker, reproducing the discipleship process. (II Timothy 2:2)!
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Discipleship is not Biblical without an emphasis on multiplication.
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D GROUP TRAINING 17
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! 1) Relationship with Jesus!
! 2) Relationships in the home!
! 3) Relationships with God’s Family/Church!
! 4) Relationships with the world!

D GROUP TRAINING 18
Begin with the end in mind…!
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Spiritual maturity is more than just having a lot of Bible knowledge and a high ! !
commitment level. It involves having the spiritual life and the spiritual skills of a disciple.
That means you are a mature and equipped follower of Christ; who knows, loves and !
serves Jesus. You are being transformed into the likeness of Jesus, because of a developing
relationship with Him. You share that relationship by influencing others for Christ.!
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What’s a mature disciple look like? !
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! It is someone who:! !
! ! - Lives consistently under the control of the Holy Spirit, the direction of the
! ! ! Word of God and the motivation of the love of Christ.!
! ! - Strives to grow closer to Jesus, through Bible study, prayer and living life in
! ! ! the Holy Spirit!
! ! - Has learned to effectively share his/her faith in both word and deed.!
! ! - Has discovered, developed and is using his/her spiritual gift(s).!
! ! - Gives strong evidence of being:!
! ! ! - A faithful member of God’s Church!
! ! ! - An effective manager of life, relationships and resources!
! ! ! - A willing servant to others, especially the “least & lost”!
! ! ! - An available messenger to non-kingdom people!
! ! ! - A disciple who makes disciples!
! ! - Demonstrates a life of grace striving to be:!
! ! ! - Gospel driven, worship focused, morally pure, !
! ! ! - Socially responsible, family faithful, evangelistically bold!
! ! ! - Discipleship grounded, loving and compassionate!
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Benefits for the disciple in a D Group:!
! 1) Accelerate my rate of spiritual growth!
! 2) Create positive habits !
! 3) Built in accountability, encouragement and counseling!
! 4) Develop close and long lasting relationships (authentic)!
! 5) Increased protection, and help for life’s challenges!
! 6) Enhance skills needed!
! 7) Realistically observe a mature Christian!
! 8) Learn spiritual truth!
! 9) See how to disciple disciples!

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- do not grow in solitude = interdependence!
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What does God want for the disciple, and how will we
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 5 Spiritual Stages/Levels of Discipleship!
! 1) Spiritually dead (Seeker) - Ephesians 2:1-5 (pre-disciple)!
! 2) Infant - I Peter 2:2-3, I Corinthians 3:1-3!
! 3) Child - I Corinthians 4:14-17 (6:13)!
! 4) Young adult - I John 2:12-13!
! 5) Parent - I Thessalonians 2:10-12!

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 **See appendix pages 44-48 for detailed characteristics for each stage.

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IV)Leadership!
! Do you want to change the world?!
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Six reasons to be a next generation disciple maker… Reggie Campbell!
! 1) Jesus did it, and He told you to as well (Great Commission)!
! 2) You’ll find meaning and fulfillment!
! 3) It’ll sharpen you and keep you sharp!
! 4) It’ll make you more grateful!
! 5) You’ll leave a real, living legacy!
! 6) You won’t waste your life!
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Leader benefits of Life-on-life discipleship…!
! 1) Fulfilling Christ’s mission in your life!
! ! - Spiritual satisfaction & purpose!
! 2) Develop long lasting relationships!
! ! - Close friendships!
! 3) Opportunity to help others grow in Christ!
! ! - Watch them mature into Christlikeness!
! 4) Invest in one of the few eternal aspects of this life - people!
! 5) Share life experiences…!
! ! - Fun times and life challenges as well!
! 6) Stimulate your own growth and maturity, as others emulate you!
! ! - Increased reliance on God (Holy Spirit)!
! ! - Pray and learn more!
! 7) Leave a legacy of being a disciple who made disciples, who made disciples!
! ! - See your “spiritual” children, grand children…!
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Biblical leader qualities: !
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I Thessalonians 2:7-12 !
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! But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother !
taking care of her own children. 8 So, being affectionately desirous of you, !
we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, !
because you had become very dear to us. 9 For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil: !
we worked night and day, !that we might not be a burden to any of you, !
while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. 10 You are witnesses, and God also, !
how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers. !
11 For you know how, like a father with his children, 12 we exhorted each one of you !
and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, !
who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.!
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What do you observe here about Paul and his fellow disciple makers?!
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D Group members want a leader who will:!
! - Be consistent!
! - Be yourself; be real & transparent!
! - Be a listener!
! - Be honest, even when it’s hard!
! - Be patient & forgiving!
! - Be encouraging!
! - Be loving & compassionate!
! - Be a person of prayer!
! - Be Biblical!
! - Be humble!
! - Be led by the Spirit of God!
! - Be flexible!

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Leader commitment explored: the rubber meets the road…!
! Are you a disciple?!
! Do you have a willingness to do this?!
! Will you work through the messiness?!
! Can you see potential and tolerate mistakes and setbacks?!
! Will you commit the necessary time?!
! Can you be energetic? (Pour your life out into the people you disciple for Jesus) !
! Will you focus? (Keep the focus on HIM!)!
! Can you let the Spirit direct you to provide direction & guidance?!
! Will you train & equip disciples in life skills?!
! Do you want to teach spiritual truth?!
! Will you be transparent? (You can’t hide who you are…)!
! Will you encourage, protect & warn your disciples?!
! Are you committed to developing individuals to be released to disciple others?!
! What are your Spiritual Gifts? Tendency survey available…!
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General D Group leader expectations:!
! 1) To be consistent and committed to living the Christian life style, as revealed in the
! ! Bible - God’s Word. “Leadership by example”!
! 2) To pray for those in leadership over you and those God has entrusted into your care.!
! 3) To maintain a Biblically solid family life.!
! 4) To make yourself available to love, serve, and guide those entrusted to you.!
! 5) To be accountable to those responsible for you. !
! 6) To follow the established D Group curricula. !
! 7) To strive to develop disciple making disciples.!
! 8) To stay within leader guidelines…!
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D Group Leader guidelines for SCC:!
! 1) Be a Christ follower; fully trusting and living in God’s grace!
! 2) Be an active member of SCC!
! 3) Share in the Church’s mission and vision!
! 4) Be faithful in worship attendance and a cheerful giver!
! 5) Be committed to fulfill God’s will in your life!
! 6) Pursue a closer relationship with Jesus: Bible study/prayer/Holy Spirit living!
! 7) Serve others in the Church!
! 8) Share the message and love of Jesus with the lost!
! 9) Let the fruit of the Spirit be evidenced in my life!
10) Strive to live the qualities of leaders found in the Word ( I Timothy 3:8-12)!
! ! - Be blameless and above reproach in conduct!
! ! - Have a good reputation in the Church and in the community!
! ! - Be faithful in all things!
! ! - Be gentle and humble!
! ! - Not be violent or quarrelsome!
! ! - Be respectful and hospitable !
! ! - Not given to drunkenness or substance abuse!
! ! - Be self-controlled, and not easily angered!
! ! - Love and honor my spouse!
! ! - Manage my family and home well (children too)!
! ! - Avoid greed and gossip!
! ! - Submit to those in authority over me!
!
“If you are to make disciples you will need to change your schedule and your priorities.”
Ralph Moore!

D GROUP TRAINING 27
!
D Group Leader Job Description:!
! 1) Lead the D Group weekly, under the direction of the Holy Spirit!
! 2) Disciple, instruct, encourage, admonish, love and feed members!
! 3) Become a “spiritual parent” to D Group members !
! 4) Live a life worth emulating!
! 5) Pray for your D Group regularly!
! 6) Interact with the members outside of the regular, weekly meeting;!
! ! plan service projects and social events during the year !
! 7) Encourage the members to serve together in the community & Church!
! 8) Communicate clearly and regularly with the group members!
! 9) Attend quarterly huddles and 1 training per year!
! 10) Communicate with the Discipleship Pastor about wins, needs, challenges!
! 11) Follow the official D Group curricula!
! 12) Track attendance on the courtyard!
! 13) Keep the end goal in mind - the group meets for a defined period of time,
! ! then they are released to disciple others (multiplication)!
! 14) Enjoy getting to know Jesus and my group members better!!
! 15) ____________________________________________________!
!
!
!
!
!
!
Strive to have these 3 influences in your life:!
! 1) Upward Disciple - Someone you look to who is more experienced or ! !
! ! knowledgeable. Someone you “check in” with for advice or counsel. One
! ! who speaks into your life. Perhaps the one who discipled you.!
! 2) Downward Disciple - Someone you invest in, to pass along what you have learned
! ! and experienced. This would be your D Group.!
! 3) Peer Disciple - Someone with common ground to share. One who is in the same
! ! stage of life, or who does similar work.! Perhaps another D Group leader.!

D GROUP TRAINING 28
 !
!
! Prayer time…!
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Illustration:!
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!
Becoming a “certified” D Group Leader…!
! - Member of SCC!
! - Mature follower of Christ!
! - Complete the D Group Leader Training course!
! - Pass interview process! ! ! ! ! ! !
! - Commit to leading for at least one year!
! - Love the Lord and people!
! - Complete additional training - one per year!
! - Follow designated curricula!
! - Strive to make disciples who make disciples!
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D GROUP TRAINING 29
V) Practical aspects of discipling…!
!
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!
!
!
Curriculum!
! The chosen curricula is designed to help a disciple maker develop fully mature and
! throughly equipped followers of Christ, who will be able to do the same with others. !
! The content focuses on a variety of key topics that we believe will cover all the crucial
! areas needed to develop fully devoted followers of Jesus. Group leaders have some
! study choices from within the chosen curricula, based on the timing and needs or
! preferences of group. We pay for the leader’s book. (One of the perks of leading!)
! The group members pay for their books. Contact the Pastor of Discipleship at least
! two weeks before beginning a study to order your group’s materials. Collect all the !
! $ and turn it in (all at once) to the Pastor of Discipleship. Please: stay with the !
! curriculum - no deviation. If you find a curriculum you like and want to suggest that
! the Pastor of !Discipleship consider it for future group use, please get him the info.
! However, do !not ask to use any other materials not already on the approved list. !
! Only designated materials should by utilized. Thank you.!
! (DVD’s & accompanying leader guides should be returned to Pastor of Discipleship
! for other groups to use.)!
!

!
!
Year 1…!
! Gospel Identity - 10 wks. ($13) book!
! Gospel Growth - 10 wks. ($13) book!
! (Apologetics) Godquest - 6 wks. ($12 bk./$7 study guide) DVD/book/study guide!
! Gospel Love - 9 wks. ($12) book!
! (Marriage) - From This Day Forward - 5 wks. ($12 bk./$9 study guide) DVD/Bk/SG!
! (Scrip. Interpretation) - 4/5 wks. (Free or $6) booklet or book!
!
D GROUP TRAINING 30
Year 2…!
! Gospel Centered Life - 9 wks. ($12 bk./$10 parti. guide) book/participant’s guide!
! (Finances) Plastic Donuts- 4 wks. ($8) book!
! Gospel Centered Community - 9 wks. ($12 bk./$8 parti. guide) book/PG!
! (Parenting) - 7/8 wks. (Choose your study…)!
! ! - Gospel Centered Parenting ($12) book!
! ! - Give Them Grace ($12) book!
! ! - Raising Kingdom Kids ($15 bk./$7 parti. guide) DVD/Bk/PG!
! The Promised One, “Seeing Jesus in Genesis” - 10 wks. ($13 bk.) DVD/book!
!
! (Study) - 4 wks. (Choose a book…)!
! ! - Crazy Love ($7) book!
! ! - Relationships ($12) book!
! ! - Not a Fan ($6) book!
! ! - Radical ($9) book!
! ! - The Christian Athiest ($6) book!
!
Year 3…!
! Gospel Centered Life at Work - 10 wks. ($12 bk./$8 parti. guide) book/PG!
! (Marriage) - 8 wks. (Choose your study…)!
! ! - The Meaning of Marriage ($12 bk./$6 study guide) DVD/book/SG!
! ! - You and Me Forever ($12) book!
! ! - Sacred Marriage ($10 bk./$9 parti. guide) DVD/book/PG!
! ! - Strengthening Your Marriage ($10) book!
! (Spiritual Warfare) - 6 wks. (Choose your study…)!
! ! - Spiritual Warfare ($10) book!
! ! - Spiritual Warfare ($7) book!
! Bible Fast Forward - 8 wks. ($0) booklet!
! (Counseling) - 8 wks. (Choose your study…)!
! ! - How to Counsel God’s Way ($14)!
! ! - Side by Side ($9)!
! ! - Counsel One Another ($12)!
! (Study) 4 wks. (Choose a book…)!
! ! - Compelled ($11) !
! ! - Too Busy Not to Pray ($8)!
! ! - In the Grip of Grace ($10)!
! ! - gods at War ($7)!
! ! - The Treasure Principle ($7)!
!
!

D GROUP TRAINING 31
 **Materials are available for viewing…

D GROUP TRAINING 32
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!
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Bible thoughts:!
! 1) We get into the Bible with people because it helps them develop faith in Jesus.!
! 2) We approach the Word of God with a mind sensitive to the Spirit of God.!
! 3) We view the Bible with a special focus on Jesus and His ways.!
! 4) We open the Bible anticipating His grace to continue to flow and influence our !
! ! perspectives on life.!
! 5) We read the Bible with an earnest commitment to personal responsibility and !
! ! obedience.!
! 6) We use the Bible to influence life daily; by applying (living) what we learn.!
!
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!
!
Utilize Teachable moments…!
Deuteronomy 6:4-9 !
“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 5 You shall love the Lord your God with
all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. 6 And these words that I
command you today shall be on your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your
children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way,
and when you lie down, and when you rise. 8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand,
and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 9 You shall write them on the doorposts of
your house and on your gates.!
!
! Utilize current events in the community, news, politics, TV shows, music, life !
! experiences, etc. to train disciples how to have a Biblical worldview, discernment and
! love that meets real-life needs.!
!
!

D GROUP TRAINING 33
Some common helpful phrases disciple makers use…!
! “I don’t know, but I’ll get back with you…”!
! “I’m not sure, but here’s what I did one time…it turned out this way…!
! “Here’s what I wish I had done…”!
! “You might talk to…”!
! “Let’s research what God says and talk about it ________(date suggested)”!
! “Here’s what I have observed in the past…”!
! “I remember the Bible account of how __________ dealt with a similar situation…”!
! “What did you learn from the experience?”!
! “How did you see God working in the situation?”!
! “Why do you think God said that?”!
! “How do you think you could of handled that better?”!
! “What’s God been teaching you lately?”!
!

!
Discipleship is not just about knowing something…that’s education. !
Discipleship is not just about learning to do something…that’s training. !
Discipleship is about becoming a life-long learner and follower of Jesus Christ !
who completely trusts in Him, in every aspect of life = a disciple.!
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D GROUP TRAINING 34
Multiplication:!

- one disciple makes 3 disciple makers every 5 years!

! - if those disciples do the same, in 10 years there will be almost 180,000 disciple makers!
! - if they continue, in 70 years, there are potentially 14 billion disciple makers !
! ! (twice the # of people on earth!)!
!
Disciple making is based on multiplication, not addition. That how the early Church grew
and reached so many people. God’s plan for disciple making has limitless potential!!
!
We want to be: Disciple making disciples…!
! Key words - Jesus, life-on-life, multiplication and legacy !
!
!
!

D GROUP TRAINING 35
VI) Your first meeting and beyond…!

Choosing your D Group members…!

! How to recruit: !
! ! 1) Pray!
! ! 2) Who does the Lord bring to mind? _______________________________!
! ! 3) Who strikes you as having potential? _____________________________!
! ! 4) Avoid those who request to be a part…!
! ! 5) Recruit F.A.I.T.H. ful people!
! ! ! Faithful!
! ! ! Available!
! ! ! Interdependent!
! ! ! Teachable!
! ! ! Hungry!
! ! 6) Choose those not already mature and ready to disciple others!
!
“Never agree to disciple someone unless they agree to disciple someone else down the road.”
Regi Campbell

!
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!
The first session:!
! - choose a place (a home would be best) without distractions!
! - make sure atmosphere is comfortable!
! - get acquainted (Use get to know each other sheet on page 49)!
! - go over group covenant (See page 50)!
! - explain study materials!
! - give an overview of D Groups and where you are going…!
! - get everyone’s contact info and form a group on the Courtyard!

D GROUP TRAINING 36
A typical meeting…!
! It’s ok to have a familiar routine, but keep it fresh.!
! Start on time, end at the height of involvement - to keep them coming back !
! Sample: 6:30 meet and discuss life… (beverages available?)!
! ! 6:45 pray for the session and any special needs just made known !
! ! 6:55 review coming events/plans/etc.!
! ! 7:05 begin materials & discussion!
! ! 7:50 pray!
! ! 8:00 closure!
! !
Beyond D Group meetings!
! - spouses get together for meal!
! - visit at work!
! - do service projects!
! - holiday gatherings!
! - outdoor activities together!
! - eat together!
! - keep in communication = texts etc. !
! - couples - use caution… males contact males, females contact females!
! - track attendance!
! !
Communication!
! Use the Courtyard to consistently keep each other informed. Be a friend with !
! ! members on Facebook. Use social media. !
! Distribute phone lists.!
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Cover key areas of Christian living:!
! As you work through the designated curricula, be sure to cover (with practical hints)!
! these key areas… Bible Study, prayer, memorizing the Word, dealing with others !
! Biblically, Church involvement, sharing your faith…!
!
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D GROUP TRAINING 37
!
What do I share with someone who doesn’t know Jesus yet?!
!
>Steps to Peace With God…!
>Bridge illustration:!

D GROUP TRAINING 38
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!
>ABCs of starting a relationship with Jesus. = Admit, Believe, Commit!
!
Admit = Admit that you have sinned (done wrong in God’s eyes)!
! ! say “I have sinned” I Timothy 1:12-17, Romans 3:22-26,!
!
Believe = Believe in Jesus and fully trust in Him as the Savior and leader of your life.
! ! John 20:30-31, Matthew 16:16!
!
!
!
! Believe in the death/burial/resurrection of Jesus. This is the Gospel; the good news
! ! of Jesus. (I Corinthians 15:3-8)!
! Believe that Jesus is the Son of God who came to this earth as God in the flesh.
! ! He taught us about God the Father and His will. As a sinless man, Jesus was
! ! crucified on the cross, physically died as He bore our sin on the cross, was !
! ! buried in a tomb for 3 days, and He physically arose from the dead!
! ! He appeared to more than 500 people and ascended back to heaven. !
! ! He lives today, at the right hand of God the Father, in heaven. He sent !
! ! the Holy Spirit to indwell His disciples (followers/learners) and empower them
! ! to live the Christian life. He will return one day to take His followers to !
! ! heaven!!
!
“A right standing with God comes through faith in the promises of God.” !
Andy Stanley!
!
Commit = Commit your life to Jesus. Completely surrender your life and heart to Him.
! ! Romans 10:5-13, Colossians 1:18!
! ! Allow Him to direct every area of your life. His offer for a restored !!
! ! relationship requires that we respond in faith to His free gift of eternal life,
! ! through Jesus Christ. Ask Him to forgive you and to lead you in His ways.
! ! Step forward into a personal relationship with Jesus and accept His gift of !
! ! salvation by God’s grace; through faith (trust) in Jesus. ! ! !

D GROUP TRAINING 39
! ! Realize you can’t earn or purchase your salvation; you don’t deserve this !
! ! opportunity and this is a free gift from God to you; because of His amazing,
! ! unconditional love for you. ! !

Ultimately, we place our faith and trust in Christ Jesus alone for the forgiveness of our sins,
and we yield to Him fully.!
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! !
Next, be baptized (immersed) into Christ. Romans 6 describes it as a beautiful picture of
being united with Him in His death, burial and resurrection. Peter summarized baptism as
your public pledge before God and others. (Romans 6, I Peter 3)!
!
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!
How it works…!
! God’s part (role) - be present in the disciple making process, God promises to work in
! ! the process by His Spirit to transform lives and bring change.!
! My part (disciple maker) - to make disciples of Jesus by relying on God and pursuing,
! ! loving, encouraging, teaching and coaching a person in his/her spiritual !
! ! journey !
! Their part (disciple) - to be faithful by learning and responding in obedience to the
! ! teachings and example of Jesus!
! ! !
Discipleship requires us to walk with people through the next step !
in their journey to be like Jesus.!
! !

D GROUP TRAINING 40
!
!
Evaluating…Am I being effective!
! Discipleship takes time. Look at the disciples of Jesus after a year - you see doubts,
! ! failures, undisciplined men…!
! What have I observed and heard? !
! ! “Real faith and real transformation are accompanied by real action.
Though transformation occurs in the heart, it is validated by obedience. !
! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! GKN!
! (John 14:15) Love = obedience!
! What do you want for your group? Take time to write this out…!
!
D GROUP TRAINING 41
D GROUP TRAINING 42
!
!
Next steps for you…!
!
! 1) Are you interested? Does God want this for you?!
! 2) Contact the Pastor of Discipleship with your decision to lead a D Group!
! 3) We need to speak with your spouse - is their support?!
! ! Answer a few key questions…(brief interview)!
! 4) Fill out a D Group Leader Covenant!
! 5) Begin recruiting your group!
! 6) Get your materials!
! 7) Have your first meeting!
! 8) Set up your group on the Courtyard!
! 9) Communicate exciting/challenging situations!
! 10) Attend huddles & 1 training each year!
! 11) Evaluate your year!
! 12) Enjoy the adventure!!
!
! !
“When you disciple others, you aren’t just impacting one person or a small group…you
influence their family, friends and co-workers as well. The ripples extend far beyond each
individual being discipled. The eternal implications create long-term ripples as well!”!
!
“ A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they will never sit in.”
!
!

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D GROUP TRAINING 43
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D GROUP TRAINING 44
D GROUP TRAINING 45
D GROUP TRAINING 46
D GROUP TRAINING 47
D GROUP TRAINING 48
!
Get to know each other…
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Name _________________________________________________
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Address _______________________________________________________________________________
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Home phone ______________________________________ cell _______________________________
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Email __________________________________________________________________
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Birthday(month & day)_____________________________
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Married, single, divorced (circle one) Spouse name ____________________________
!
# of Children _______ Ages ________________________________
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Occupation ________________________________________________________________
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Hobbies _________________________________________________________________________________
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Favorite sport ________________________________________________
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Other _____________________________________________________________________________
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D GROUP TRAINING 49
D GROUP TRAINING 50
End notes: Resources utilized -!
! !
The Master Plan of Evangelism, Robert Coleman, Revell!
Discipleship in 140 Characters, Exponential!
Mentor Like Jesus, Regi Campbell, B & H Pub.!
Discovering a Life of Grace, Keith Groves/SCC!
Core Discipleship, Doug Morrell!
Field Guide, Doug Morrell!
The Journey, Randy Pope, Zondervan!
As Iron Sharpens Iron, Wm. & Howard Hendricks, Moody!
Real-Life discipleship training manual, Putnam/Willis Jr./Guindon/Krause, Navpress!
Discipleshift, Putnam & Harrington, Zondervan!
Real-Life discipleship, Jim Putnam, Navpress!
Follow Me, David Platt, Tyndale!
Transformational Discipleship, Geiger, Kelley, Nation (GKN)!
Coaching Lifetogether, Brett Eastman, Lifetogether Ministries!
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D GROUP TRAINING 51
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- connect with the lost intentionally!
!
!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=rk8ERxqCZqQ&feature=youtu.be!
!
http://www.churchleaders.com/smallgroups/smallgroups-videos/158087-francis-chan-
why-small-group-discipleship-is-important.html - be prepared for future!
!
http://www.churchleaders.com/pastors/videos-for-pastors/172148-this-is-why-
discipleship-is-so-important.html - real life, family!
!
!
!
Serious & satisfying business!!
!
“Spiritual growth happens best with others who share the goal of being a disciple of Jesus.” 

! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! Putnam/Krause!
Relationships:!
! ! !
Leader forms for communication!
!
!
!

D GROUP TRAINING 52
!
Beginning a group:!
! 1) Interest - leader’s desire & heart for people to be more like Jesus!
! 2) Instructor - mature Christian to lead!
! 3) Invaluable training - develop leadership skills & give information !
! 4) Interview - leader must make commitment/Church too!
! 5) Infusion of God’s will - pray for those who God desires to join!
! 6) Invitation to potential members of group!
! 7) Involvement of the group with the Lord & the leader!
! 8) Interaction with the curriculum and God-ordained life experiences!
! 9) Increase in faith - members want to disciple others!
10) Involvement in releasing disciples and multiplying groups…!
!
Joining a group:!
! Fill out form!
! Willingness to make commitment (1 yr)!
! Leader approves!
! Submit to covenant with group!
! Begin the discipling process!
! !
Multiplication (reproduction)!
! “Next generation discipleship” !
! “More time spent with fewer people = greater Kingdom impact” Tim Elmore!

!
Handbook topics!

D GROUP TRAINING 53
!
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Covenants!
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! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! Greek proverb!
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“There is no discipleship without community” Smallman!
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Distinctives (Distinguishing qualities) of Biblical disciples…!
! 1) John 8:31-32 - Continued in the Word=Truth!
! 2) John 13:35 - Love for each other!
! 3) Luke 14:26-27, 33 - Priorities are correct!
! 4) John 14:15 - Obey the Lord!
! 5) Luke 17:1 - Watch self and forgive!
! 6) Luke 18:1 - Pray and don’t give up!
! 7) Mark 10:27 - Remember, All things are possible with God!
!

D GROUP TRAINING 54
!
!
!
Our desire to fulfill God’s mission:
Most of us want our life to matter. We would love to be transformed and to become
more like Jesus. Stones Crossing Church wants to make this a reality for every follower
of Christ. In cooperation with the Holy Spirit, we desire to help accelerate spiritual
growth by connecting Christians in transformational discipleship groups. This is the
most effective way to encourage life change. The mature in Christ invest in training and
equipping less mature followers. We all need a mature believer to speak into our lives
and lead us in God’s truth. We value peers who challenge us and hold us accountable
to live out what we profess. We also benefit from taking what we know and passing it
on to others, who can benefit from our experiences, our grace and our knowledge. We
call this Life on Life Discipleship… (See Romans 8:28-30)
!
!
Appendix!
!
Starting questions…!
1. Are you a biblical disciple yourself? This might be a hard question to ask!
yourself, but it is an important one. Do you need to first be discipled? You!
might want to review the material below under Disciple before you make!
that decision.!
2. Are you willing? Do you believe in discipleship as we are defining it? Are!
you ready to ask God to help you become a disciple maker, even if you do!
not have it all figured out? We hope you are.!
3. Who is receptive to you? Who easily listens or is receptive to what you!
have to say about the things of Jesus? This could be a non-Christian or a!
Christian. Our friend, Dave Beuhring, puts it this way: “In whose ears are!
your words big?”12!
4. Is it a good investment? Is the person you’re thinking about discipling!
faithful, available, teachable and reliable (FATR)? This kind of person makes!
your investment of time and friendship a good and wise one. If you are a!
church leader, these are especially important questions.!
13!
5. Is God in it? Is there someone you feel God might be nudging you!

D GROUP TRAINING 55
toward? Do you naturally have good chemistry with someone that might!
serve as the foundation of a discipling relationship? Or is God asking you to!
ask Him for someone to disciple (you might be ideal for someone you do not!
yet know).!
6. Where will you get the necessary tools? Discipleship is helping people!
to form their lives around Jesus as Lord. Where is the person you want to!
disciple in their journey (see more below)? What tools do you need to help!
them take the next step?!
!
!
5 Spiritual Stages/Levels of Discipleship!
! 1) Spiritually dead (Seeker) - Ephesians 2:1-5 (pre-disciple)!
! 2) Infant - I Peter 2:2-3, I Corinthians 3:1-3!
! 3) Child - I Corinthians 4:14-17 (6:13)!
! 4) Young adult - I John 2:12-13!
! 5) Parent - I Thessalonians 2:10-12!

D GROUP TRAINING 56