Bradley Isbell Discipleship Ministries Project.pdf

Discipleship Ministries Project

“Citywide University Ministries “

DSMN 500 LUO (Fall 2012)

Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary

Bradley L. Isbell (ID# L23525077)

December 14, 2012

Contents

Introduction………………………………………………………………………………………..3

The Need…………………………………………………………………………………………..4

Mission Statement…………………………………………………………………………………4

Biblical Foundation………………………………………………………………………………..4

Ministry Values……………………………………………………………………………...…….6

Action Plan……………………………………………………………………………………...…7

Developmental Objectives……………………………………………………………………..….7

Scope and Sequence Plan……………………………………………………………………….....9

Curriculum………………………..………………………………………………..………….....9

Fun and Community………..……..…………………...……………………………..……….....11

Budget……………………………………………………………………………..………….….11

Discipleship Resources Bibliography……………………………………………………………13

Self-assessment on incorporation of 5 Essential Activities of an education that produces

Disciples……………………………………………………………………………………….…

15Works Cited…………………………………………………………………....……………...…

Attachment: Spring Semester 2013 Ministry

Calendar………………………………………………………………………………………….17

Introduction

When I first read the assignment instructions at the beginning of our class I thought I

would take an easy route and build a ministry plan that fit my childhood church. I knew the

people and need but as the semester has went on, I have had the opportunity to plug into a church

family near downtown Birmingham, Alabama that is made up primarily of college students and

young working professionals. I love the time I get to spend at Branch Life with my own peers

plugging into God’s Word and serving the community.

Branch Life is one of many churches in Birmingham that attracts young parishioners. It is

different; it has a welcoming feel that at times I don’t feel at my childhood church. What about

these new plant churches attract the young? For me, it is the laid back atmosphere where honest

discussion and dialogue occurs. Keeping with the young demographic I will be putting together a

ministry plan for a citywide ministry that reaches college students so when they graduate the

continue to impact their communities for Christ even if that is outside of Birmingham.

Birmingham is surrounded by 4 major universities with more that 30,000 students across

the campuses. This does not even include the multiple junior college campuses. Many great

ministries exist here, but they are barely scratching the surface. The need is great. I will be

presenting below a ministry plan that looks to mentor and grow disciples for Christ in the short

four years they are in school. The four years I was at Samford for my undergraduate degree were

some of the most important years of development I ever had. If we as the church and para-church

ministry impact lives then we have the potential to grow sold out followers of Christ no matter

where they work after graduation.

The Need

This project will lay out a comprehensive ministry plan to reach citywide, across each

campus, the students in Birmingham, Alabama while they spend time in our city. A life reached

today could impact the greater world tomorrow.

Mission Statement

Citywide University Ministries exists to honor Jesus Christ by leading area students into a

growing relationship with Him while they live in our city through Discipleship, Worship,

Community, and Mission.

Biblical Foundation

Discipleship – We are called to fulfill The Great Commission. Matthew 28:18-20 says, “And

Jesus came and said to them, All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you.

And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”1 We desire to equip our area

students to fulfill II Timothy 2:2 which says, “…and what you have heard from me through

many witnesses entrust to faithful people who will be able to teach others as well.”2 We equip

and then send out with the message of Christ. That is discipleship.

Worship – We are called to worship God with not only our songs and prayer, but also our lives.

Romans 12:1-2 says, “I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to

present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual

1 New Revised Standard Bible

2 Ibid.

worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds,

so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.”3

Community – As a group of believers we feel that students and leaders alike to interact as if they

are family. Citywide University Ministry believes that we are a family where people come to

have fun, praise God, spend time in discussion, and fine peace when times are rough. We live

and experience live together. Romans 12:10-16 says, “love one another with mutual affection;

outdo one another in showing honour. Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord.

Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints;

extend hospitality to strangers. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.

Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another;

do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are.”4

Mission – Together we learn and point our lives to Christ. As we move to a stronger relationship

with Christ we recognize our call to minister to others. As a family of believers we serve those in

our community both local and abroad. Acts 1:8 says, “But you will receive power when the Holy

Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria,

and to the ends of the earth.”5

Ministry Values

As a ministry we hold these values as the foundation to work and goals. Students and staff hold

to these ideals as we grow together in Christ.

3 Ibid.

4 Ibid.

5 Ibid.

1. The Old and New Testament are inspired by God; inerrant and the basis and final authority in

faith and life.

2. We believe in 1 God existing in three parts as the trinity: Father, Son, and the Holy Sprit.

3. Jesus Christ is both fully God and fully man.

4. God created man in his own image. Man sinned and stands guilty before God in our sin nature.

5. Jesus Christ came and died for the propitiation of our sins.

6. Jesus Christ was resurrected on the third day and resides with God in Heaven.

7. Jesus Christ will return.

8. Everyone that prays for forgiveness of his or her sins and seeks God is born again and apart of

the family of God.

9. The Holy Sprit indwells in the lives of those that follow Jesus Christ. The Holy Sprit leads

believers in lives as they seek to understand truth, ministry, and service to their community.

10. The church, or gathering of brothers and sisters in Christ, is a God-ordained community

essential to the fruitful development of a follower of Christ.

11. Everyone, young and old, including our area students, have a place in ministry to serve and

learn.

12. Our ministry is open to all seeking community and hope.

13. We will show the love of Christ to our community through service and love.

14. Students will be involved in leadership as they grow in devotion to Jesus Christ.

15. We will prepare students for life outside of school as they move onto careers and building

families.

Action Plan

According to our instructions an action plan is what in our discipleship plan that takes

people from point A to B. In a university setting I believe we are best served by looking at

participants in a freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior system. How can we best serve and

mentor each group as they move through school? An incoming freshman is dealing with issues

that a senior has passed as they prepare to leave and start a career. Each year in the ministry,

students will be poured into steadily in deeper and deeper ways as they move towards

graduation. This will consists of dedicated small groups, upperclassman mentoring, and

dedicated staff to assist different age groups. Each year we will work on developing different

leadership and disciple qualities that will be used outside of school. Each week we will have a

dedicated worship service under the leadership of a ministry pastor. This is one of the first ways

to get involved. They will also have the option to join in with campus based small groups. The

goal is a challenged participant who is poured into by one and then pours into another. The action

plan is continuous. It is our command as Christians; Make Disciples who make disciples.

Developmental Objectives

I. Freshman Year

a. Attending Weekly Citywide University Ministries Worship Service

b. Involved in a weekly local campus small group with peers

c. Freshman Spiritual Retreats to promote First Year Camaraderie

d. Dedicated Bible Study weekly

e. Workshops on leading personal small groups and one-on-one discipleship

f. Involved in Missions Projects

g. Involved in local campus service projects

II. Sophomore Year

a. Attending Weekly Citywide University Ministries Worship Service

b. Involved in a weekly local campus small group peers

c. Dedicated Bible Study weekly

d. One-on-One Discipleship/Mentoring with at least one other student.

(Accountability)

e. Involved in Missions Projects

f. Upperclassman spiritual life retreat attendance

g. Involved in local campus service projects

III. Junior Year

a. Attending Weekly Citywide University Ministries Worship Service

b. Involved in a weekly local campus small group peers

c. Dedicated Bible Study weekly

d. Involved in Missions Projects

e. Leading a small group on their campus for younger students

f. Upperclassman spiritual life retreat attendance

g. Involved in local campus service projects

IV. Senior Year

a. Attending Weekly Citywide University Ministries Worship Service

b. Involved in a weekly local campus small group with peers

c. Dedicated Bible Study weekly

d. Involved in Missions Projects

e. Senior Year leadership opportunity with ministry staff – Hands on involvement

with the day to day ministry planning

f. Leading a small group on their campus for younger students

g. Upperclassman spiritual life retreat attendance

h. Involved in local campus service projects

Scope and Sequence Plan

We have laid out what we would like to see happening each year as a student moves

through the ministry but now we need to lay out what will actually be covered. The ministry plan

is highly relational. Our goal is to have students involved with ministering to fellow students.

The lead minister will lead out each week during worship services. These are introductory

Gospel messages to bring people into the fold while providing Biblical teaching to nurture

believers. I envision community groups, which are on each campus, going through different

Bible study material and building community. These will be divided by class year and lead by

students but each campus will have a lead person from the ministry that can assist as needed.

Worship --------------- Community --------------- Discipleship --------------- Mission

It is a cycle. When people enter into the flow they become apart of a plan. We are seeking

to build ministers by equipping them weekly through many venues but also providing a safe

place for fun where other believers surround them.

Curriculum

Below you will find a sample of what a semester might look like for our ministry. Each

week includes ministry activities for students to be involved in, worship services, “hangout”

hours, and small groups. In addition to this we hope students are engaging in ministry within

their dorms through discussions, dinner, and life together with people around them.

The weekly message series for this semester is a walk through Genesis.6

January 23 – Genesis 1 – Welcome & Intro to Semester theme

January 30 – Genesis 1 - Creation, Goodness

February 6 – Genesis 1 - Sabbath

February 13 – Genesis 2 - Community

February 20 – Genesis 2 - Sexuality

February 27 – Genesis 3 - Fall, sin, evil, (tainted world)

March 6 – Genesis 4 - Cain & Abel, relationships (tainted relationships)

March 13 – Genesis 6-7 - Noah, covenant, obedience

March 20 – Spring Break Week; No Worship Services

March 27 – Prayer Journey

April 3 – Genesis 8-9 - Noah, redemption, recreation

April 10 – Genesis 10-11 - Nations, Babel (attempt to redeem selves)

April 17 – Student Led Worship in Song Event

April 24 – Genesis 12 - Nations, Abe (God’s redemption)

May 1 – Summer Missions Commissioning Service

May 8 – Finals Week; End of Semester Party

Freshmen Bible Study Curriculum for the Semester

Radical Bible Study by David Platt from Life Bible Study7

Sophomore Bible Study Curriculum for the Semester

6 “Shiloh,” Samford University, http://www.samford.edu/um/content.aspx?id=2147484295 (accessed

December 13, 2012).

7 “Radical Bible Study,” Life Bible Study, http://lifebiblestudy.com/Series/Radical/Details (accessed

December 13, 2012).

Fight Bible Study by Kenny Luck8

Junior Bible Study Curriculum for the Semester

Discipline of Grace Bible Study by Jerry Bridges9

Senior Bible Study Curriculum for the Semester

The Explicit Bible Study Bible by Matt Chandler10

Fun and Community

I think it is important than in college students have a place to escape and have fun. As a

ministry we will promote dorm life community. Students need to be pouring into others lives and

providing accountability. This may be praying together, reading the Bible together, or simply

easting dinner. It is important to have those people to spend time with.

As a ministry we will provide a “hangout” house that has a snack bar, Free WiFi, Games,

etc. It is where we have worship services but also a place to spend nights studying or hanging

our. We even have a laundry room to keep up with a college student’s many dirty clothes.

Budget

When it comes to a budget, I think this type of ministry should fit into any church’s

ministry plan that is close to a large group of universities. If you the students are there you

should be ministering to them. The cliché statement, that youth are the future of the truth is

important. If you take it even further, they are the church now! Do whatever we can to minister

to them because they are the next in line to take up positions leading in the church or general

workforce. If we reach them now they will serve Christ.

8 “Lifeway Bible Study Resources,” LifeWay, http://www.lifeway.com/ (accessed December 13, 2012).

9 “Navpress Bible Study Resources,” NavPress, http://www.navpress.com/ (accessed December 13, 2012).

10 LifeWay Bible Study Resources.

Budget money will need to be in place for curriculum, staff, “hangout” building, campus

outreach events, retreats, mission trips, etc. It is definitely an undertaking, but one that I believe

is well worth it.

Discipleship Resources Bibliography

Blevins, Dean G., and Mark A. Maddix. Discovering Discipleship: Dynamics of Christian

Education. Kansas City, MO: Beacon Hill Press, 2010.

Bonhoeffer, Dietrich. The Cost of Discipleship. 1st Touchstone ed. New York: Touchstone,

1995.

Chan, Francis, and Mark Beuving. Multiply: Disciples Making Disciples. 1st Ed. ed. Colorado

Springs, CO: David C. Cook, 2012.

Clem, Bill. Disciple: Getting Your Identity from Jesus. Wheaton, Ill.: Crossway, 2011.

Dodson, Jonathan K. Gospel-Centered Discipleship. Wheaton, Ill.: Crossway, 2012.

Fleddermann, Harry. "The discipleship discourse (Mark 9:33-50)." Catholic Biblical Quarterly

43, no. 1 (January 1, 1981): 57-75. ATLASerials, Religion Collection, EBSCOhost

(accessed December 12, 2012).

Geiger, Eric, Michael Kelley, and Philip Nation. Transformational Discipleship: How People

Really Grow. Nashville, TN: B&H Books, 2012.

Hull, Bill. The Complete Book of Discipleship: On Being and Making Followers of Christ.

Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress, 2006.

Jr, Avery T Willis, Jim Putman, Bill Krause, and Brandon Guindon. Real-Life Discipleship

Training Manual: Equipping Disciples Who Make Disciples. Colorado Springs, CO:

NavPress, 2010.

Lamb, Richard. Following Jesus in the. Downers Grove, Ill.: IVP Books, 2003.

Laurie, Greg. Discipleship: the Road Less Taken. Riverside, CA: Kerygma Publishing, 2011.

Laurie, Greg. Start! To Follow: How to Be a Successful Follower of Christ. Riverside, CA:

Kerygma Publishing Group, 2012.

Mackay, John Alexander. "Call to discipleship." Theology Today 7, no. 2 (July 1, 1950): 217-227.

ATLASerials, Religion Collection, EBSCOhost (accessed December 12, 2012).

Malphurs, Aubrey. Ministry Nuts and Bolts: What They Don't Teach Pastors in Seminary. 2 ed.

Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Academic & Professional, 2009.

Malphurs, Aubrey, and Will Mancini. Building Leaders: Blueprints for Developing Leadership

at Every Level of Your Church. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker Books, 2004.

Nel, Malan. "Inviting and initiating youth into a life of discipleship" Verbum et Ecclesia

[Online], Volume 30 Number 2 (16 December 2009)

Putman, Jim. Real-Life Discipleship: Building Churches That Make Disciples. Colorado Springs,

CO: NavPress, 2010.

Sanders, J. Oswald. Spiritual Discipleship: with Study Guide. Chicago: Moody Publishers,

1994.

Thorne, Brian Kirk & Jacob. Missional Youth Ministry: Moving from Gathering Teenagers to

Scattering Disciples. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan/Youth Specialties, 2011.

{While the Thorne book is written specifically addressing Youth ministry, I believe it holds

important truths for setting up ministry plans as we reach any demographic}

Wringe, Colin. "Teaching Learning and Discipleship: Education beyond Knowledge

Transfer." Journal Of Philosophy Of Education 43, no. 2 (May 2009): 239-251. Religion

and Philosophy Collection, EBSCOhost (accessed December 12, 2012).

Self-assessment on incorporation of 5 Essential Activities of an education that produces

Disciples

In our Mitchell textbook, we were exposed to the 5 essential activities of Christian

ministry that make disciples. I believe my citywide campus ministry plan utilizes each. I will

touch on each of the 5 essential activities below and how the ministry incorporates them.

1. Make a Disciple who Worships Jesus (answering the What question)11

a. When students grow they focus more and more on Jesus Christ. When we

seek Him in all that we do, that is worship. We seek to share that with students

so that when they leave they will serve/worship Christ in work/life situations

that come after school. Making Disciples who make Disciples.

2. Construct a Curricular Plan (answering the Content question)12

a. Worship Services

b. Small Groups

c. Dorm Life Accountability Groups

d. Retreats

e. Mission Trips

3. Prepare a Plan for Teaching and Learning (answering the Processes question)13

a. We establish from the beginning what we would like Students to accomplish

while they are with us. We want to see students growing in their relationship

with Jesus Christ and serving others. Ministry opportunities are established for

students to get their “hands dirty.”

4. Establish and Environment for Education (answering the Context question)14

a. Opportunities for learning and discussion of God’s word are established and

plentiful. Students can learn in one-on-one relationships in dorm

accountability groups that we promote, campus based small groups, or weekly

worship services. They are all different but in each people can learn and teach

in different ways. Sometimes it is easier to dig into God’s word in an intimate

setting than in a large group worship service.

5. Have a Heart for and Serve People (answering the People question)15

a. We are about serving and growing college students while they are in town. We

pour into their lives for four years so that when they love they are prepared to

love on others.

11 Mitchell, xiii-xiv.

12 Ibid.

13 Ibid.

14 Ibid.

15 Ibid.

Works Cited

“Lifeway Bible Study Resources.” LifeWay. http://www.lifeway.com/ (accessed December 13,

2012).

Mitchell, Dr. Michael R. Leading, Teaching, and Making Disciples: World-Class Christian

Education in the Church, School and Home. Nashville: CrossBooks Publishing, 2010.

“Navpress Bible Study Resources.” NavPress. http://www.navpress.com/ (accessed December

13, 2012).

New Revised Standard Bible

“Radical Bible Study.” Life Bible Study. http://lifebiblestudy.com/Series/Radical/Details

(accessed December 13, 2012).

“Shiloh.” Samford University. http://www.samford.edu/um/content.aspx?id=2147484295

(accessed December 13, 2012).

Attachment: Spring Semester 2013 Ministry Calendar

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