The Simple and Profound Power of Questions (Part Three)

Making Disciples.

The most powerful things in life and ministry are the simple things. Questions are simple, yet they can lead to profound results.

In my first two blogs on the power of questions I looked at using questions to reach outsiders and to develop leaders.

Today I want to address using questions to make disciples

First, what is a disciple?

The normative New Testament word for a Christian is not Christian but disciple. The term Christian is only used three times in the New Testament, whereas disciple (follower) of Jesus is used almost 400 times. A disciple is a learner of Jesus; someone who learns how to live the kind of life in the kingdom of God that he lived. To love God and to love people (the two great commands – Matt 22:37-40), learning from Jesus how to do it.

Second, how are disciples made?

Disciples are not normally made in a classroom, prescriptively. They are made situationally in real life situations; just-in-time, versus just-in-case.

I present to you what I wrote in the appendix of my book “The Jesus Model: Planting Churches the Jesus Way.” Use the following transformation flow chart in conjunction with the three categories of discipleship: spiritual disciplines, character, and competencies. What issues are being raised by the questions in the flow chart? What assignments are generated in the life of the disciple as a result?

The Transformation Flow Chart

Training in Discipleship

We are to grow into mature disciples. 

Ephesians 4:13

 Name: ______________________ Date: _______________

1. How are you doing (tell me more!)?

2. What has God beeen saying to you in your Bible reading?

3. What growth do you see in your walk with God?

4. Read Hebrews 12:1-2. What must you “throw off that impedes your following Christ?

5. Read Acts 1:8. Who are the non-Christians in your life? How are you engaging them with the gospel?

6. What does Jesus want to change in you?

7. What steps will you take to see change happen before we see each other again?

8. How can I pray for you?

The three categories of spiritual transformation:
1.  Spiritual  Disciplines 

2.  Character

3.  Competencies

Call to action

May I challenge you? Ask two people in the coming week if you could have a conversation with them about growing in their Christlikeness. Use the transformation flow chart with them. What effect did this process have on your disciples and on you?

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