CHMN 201
Page 1 of 6
D – A C S
ISCIPLESHIP ASE TUDY
I.
II.
III.
Church Identification
a.Name: Realife Church
b.Address: 5151 W. US Highway 40, Greenfield, IN 46140
c.Website: https://realifechurch.org/
d.Pastor’s Name: Adam Detamore
Church Information
a.Average Weekly Attendance: 1,775
b.Number of Members: 1,055
c.Is there a staff person specifically assigned to discipleship? Pastor Caleb Hawkins
and Pastor James Wallace (Interviewee)
Development of Program
a.What process was used to develop your discipleship program?
Realife’s discipleship program has taken on the model of small groups. Some churches
call them life groups, or bible study, house fires, etc. They looked over multiple models to
help shape their program and felt this is best done through a relationships-based model in
small groups. The idea is that those in the small groups will live life together, with others,
CHMN 201
Page 2 of 6
IV.
outside of a Sunday service. As you live life together, you are going to grow. Through
studying God’s word in these small groups, people will begin to develop biblically sound
relationships. A few years ago,
they took a look at the “traditional” model they have been using, which is more of a long-
term life group, and looked at a “free-market” approach. Instead of focusing so much on
Bible studies in the group and people remaining in the same group for “forever,” this
looks a little different. The latest model has focused more on building relationships rather
than biblical studies. Not that biblical studies have been removed, it just hasn’t been as
highlighted as the relationships aspect. The idea is to create a large funnel of living life
together in interest groups. Instead of a topical group from the Bible, the group is an
interest group: basketball, a non-canonical book, coffee, veterans, moms, motorcycles,
etc. It can be any kind of interest. The idea is that through these interests, like-minded
people will join, and the interest will be a catapult into developing deeper relationships
amongst one another. This model was based on both research within churches and
different perspectives.
a.How did you assess the needs of your congregation? In assessing the needs,
Realife posed the question, “How do we best facilitate quality relationships?”
Realife staff saw the current model working to a degree but lacking in biblical
education. So, how do we (Realife Church) incorporate and facilitate biblical
education? The church needed to help lay a solid, biblical foundation.
Discipleship Program Components
CHMN 201
Page 3 of 6
V.
a.What are the components of your discipleship program? Primarily, relationship-
based small groups with focus on training leaders to identify next steps in
discipleship and used those relationships for development. Specific small groups
for specific needs: new believers, freedom class, Financial Peace University,
doctrinal/educational piece.
b.How long does it take to complete your discipleship program? Working on a
definitive timeline with biblical education. Currently, very subjective on time…
ongoing discipleship. Continuous discipleship.
Results of the Discipleship Program
a.What percentage of people in your congregation participate in your discipleship
program? 40-45%
b.What positive results have you seen since implementing this program? Realife
has seen flourishing, foundational one-on-one relationships being birthed;
solidifying into solid, Christian relationships. They liken it to a Paul and Timothy
type relationship; mentoring and training-up leaders to go out and disciple others
themselves. Additionally, Realife has seen its congregation, who are involved in
small groups, more likely to take their next steps. Whether that is leading a small
group themselves, getting baptized, or joining the Dream Team (which is the
umbrella for hosts, welcome team, café, auditorium hosts, kids/youth ministry,
worship team, etc.). Part of the goal of small groups is for the leaders of the group
to be able to identify and help others discover their next steps.
CHMN 201
Page 4 of 6
VI.
c.What challenges do you face as you continue to implement this program? Getting
a foundation on biblical knowledge. Everyone is at a different place in their
journey, their personal relationship with Christ. This then brings up the question,
“How do we lay that biblical foundation, a correct foundation to build upon?”
This has led to an exciting time in Realife’s discipleship program. I, Joel, am a
part of this journey. Realife has put together a task force to help put together a
biblical education course as part of the discipleship program. As part of this task
force, myself, along with about 10 others, are brainstorming on the makeup,
criteria, subjects, must haves, etc. that will encompass a foundational
understanding of biblical knowledge. The task force is made-up of life-long
believers, current and prior pastors, and professional educators/teachers.
There are three main goals to this biblical education: help assist in independent
study, instill a passion for God’s word, and build a strong biblical foundation. This
will be a multi-level course, like a college/university, i.e., Biblical Foundations
101, 201, etc. Realife plans to begin this first level course in the Fall of 2023.
Student Response to Case Study
a.Does this discipleship program incorporate any of the elements that you have
studied in this course? If so, which ones? The first thing that comes to mind is the
Small Groups section of Everyday Ministry: Applying the Christian Faith. In this
section the authors reference Rod Dempsey and Joel Comiskey; each have a list
that they deem makes up a healthy small group. Dempsey’s: guided by a leader,
regular meeting times, open God’s word, united in love, and prayer. Comiskey’s:
knowing God, knowing each other, reaching out to those who don’t know Jesus,
CHMN 201
Page 5 of 6
and raising up new small group leaders. I believe Realife’s discipleship program
is doing all of these things. Of course, there is always room for improvement,
which we have seen in the interview. However, these nine characteristics of a
small group are seen throughout Realife’s discipleship program. I have personally
witnessed Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 through small groups. My brother, who is the lead
pastor at Realife, has mentioned more than once, of a small group attendee facing
a tragic situation and the small group leader or fellow attendee finding out about it
and going to a brother or sister in need before he, as the pastor, hears about the
tragic event. At first that may seem odd to some, but that is what small groups are
all about! Building a true, biblical relationship where its members can rely on and
trust in one another at any given time. As a church grows larger, they must also
grow smaller. That seems a bit oxymoronic. The idea is that as the church
congregation grows, the pastor and staff are only going to be able to be so
influential outside of a Sunday service. It is within small groups that community
is built, and true relationships are established and will be most effective. Another
element I believe Realife is doing well comes from the same text in chapter 30,
Biblically Balance Preaching and Teaching. The pastor doesn’t shy away from the
truth of God’s Word. He also does not preach at the congregation and to its
leaders. He preaches to empower them to teach God’s Word as well. The lead
pastor of a church is a shepherd. He takes care of his flock. Part of that is teaching
his flock how to also share and teach Scripture. Chapter 30 of the text references
the Bereans from Acts 17, who have the skills necessary to study Scripture and to
also ensure the preacher is teaching what is accurate and true. This then bleeds
CHMN 201
Page 6 of 6
into small group leaders and those leading in discipleship on how to teach God’s
Word and ensure those they are leading are being taught the Truth. My wife and I
lead a small group entitled Diving Deeper. We take the specific scriptures from
Sunday’s sermon and cross-reference them throughout the Bible. It gets people
digging deeper into the Word while also “verifying” what was preached on
Sunday. It is a win-win situation. Finally, I believe Realife is handling
accountability through discipleship in a biblical manner. Scripturally,
accountability is more than just checking in on a brother or sister to see how they
are holding up in a situation. It also goes together with church discipline. Biblical
accountability and discipline begin in the church. Not spreading gossip and
rumors about what is going on, but according to the instructions laid out by Christ
in Matthew 18. Also, by Paul’s instructions to the Galatians in Galatians 6, “with
a gentle spirit.” Again, I have seen this played out in a biblical manner. Though it
may seem tough and difficult, it is a beautiful thing to see believers and a church
act according to Scripture.
What would you add, remove, or adjust to this discipleship program for further
effectiveness? Honestly, Realife has already identified and is working on
implementing what I felt was a “weakness” in their discipleship program. As
mentioned above, they are building a biblical education curriculum to implement
this Fall. A solid, biblical foundation was missing in the program. It is clear that I
was not the only one who noticed an area of improvement. I am ecstatic to not
only see this come to fruition, but to be a part of this program from the beginning
and am hopeful to see it flourish and change lives.
b.
