Liberty University
Christ in Discipleship
Written Assignment 4
Brian Mclaughlin
DSMN 500 – Discipleship Ministries
November 4th, 2018
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Introduction
Jesus started His church with a small group. It is true that he had a larger following prior
to calling the twelve, but it was with intentionality (Luke 6:12-3). Jesus chose them to build up a
solid foundation. He spent three years discipling them, through action as well as deed, while
ministering to them in an engaging way to meet the disciples where they are. It was Jesus’
intention which would build a healthy and unshakable foundation by starting the model of
discipling these small groups of people. By focusing on twelve men and building them up to be
sacrificial (Luke 14:26, 33), relational (John 13:35), and transformational (Matthew 28:16, 19-
20), Jesus was able to set the trajectory for His church. Following Jesus’ example always is the
goal for discipleship in having a healthy church. This biblical research as well as the consultation
will explain why having a healthy body of Christ, for discipleship, as well as provide a
consultation of a local church, which will include their three biggest weaknesses and next steps.
The Body of Christ
Paul and Peter both used examples of physical life to depict complexities in the body of
Christ. (Ephesians 4; 1 Peter 4), connected through Christ Himself (Romans 6:5-6; Colossians
2:13; John 15). Paul explained to the Church of Ephesus as a whole they represent the body of
Christ, with Jesus as the head (Eph. 1:22-3). Furthermore, Paul implored upon them to walk in
“humility and gentleness with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent
to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” (Eph. 4:2, NASB) This would provide a
safe environment in which the saints are built up or equipped for service, bringing together the
church; everyone serving where they were made to serve (Eph. 4:16; I Cor. 12:7). The truths
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listed above amalgamate well with Earley and Dempsey’s view of a healthy church; one in which
everyone is growing while serving at the right place.
Jesus Christ provides His gifting for the purpose in building up the body, His Church. In
Ephesians 4, Paul reveals that while Jesus has already provided a sense of unity (vs. 3-4), there is
an element that must be obtained by the perseverance in men made possible by the giftings from
Christ (vs. 11-2). Eph. 4:11 states, “Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the
apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to
equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ.” (NLT) No longer
is it enough where God’s grace of His provisions was given. The disciples would have a way by
their own choice and grit, step into these giftings; thereby, walking them out while equipping the
body.
The human body has many systems and mechanical structures on which it depends for its
sustainment and growth. The mind communicates along neural pathways in order to engage the
muscular system, which provides motion to the arm while eating. Bonhoeffer stated that, “since
the ascension, Jesus Christ’s place on earth has been taken by his body, the church [kirche]. The
church is the present Christ himself.”1 Following both His will and the Holy Bible, anointed men
and women strive diligently so they can build up as well as, sustain the body of Christ which
makes it be effective to do the great commission. Christ’s body here on this planet is not healthy
1 Bonhoeffer, Dietrich. Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works. Edited by Gerhard Ludwig Müller and Albrecht
Schönherr. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1996-2014.
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unless all systems or elements in it are operating as intended. For this to happen, Christians must
be all growing, serving, and being where he or she is needed. Churches without an active teacher
is just as easy to knock off balance as the human body with a weaker core muscular system.
Christians should exhort its anointed teachers to engage with the rest of the body of Christ so that
the body can strengthen both the teacher as well as the rest of the church. In doing so, all the
body is made well in strengthening its parts.
According to Earley and Dempsey, “relational groups are required for community-based
evangelism, multiplication of leaders, and enabling for the “one another.””2 The early church was
a community in house-churches, meeting constantly in homes, plus the synagogues as well as
temple courts (Acts 2:47-8) — they did life together. Relational small groups in current
American culture are exponential by default. There is a rising distrust in any institution largely at
the hand of current government behavior, which includes misuse of funds, behavior inconsistent
with government office, or non-observance in the 4th Amendment. As a result, the younger
population is largely mistrustful of any institution. Negative implications have also centered on
the Church as well, due to names such as Ted Haggard, Terry Hornbuckle, and Jim Baker.
Ranging from embezzlement to homosexual relationships, the stories that have been forthcoming
since the 1980’s serve as a deterrent for newcomers. But many were restrained to coming to
church, they would; however, join the church community for a small BBQ at someone’s home.
This serves as a gateway back to a church.
2 Earley, Dave, and Dempsey, Rod, Disciple Making Is–: How to Live the Great Commission with Passion
and Confidence. Pasadena, CA: B&H Academic, 2013.
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Jesus gave many imperatives in His teachings, including what many had known as the
“one another.” While there are more than fifty recorded in the New Testament, relational groups
intentionally develop two of them–John 13:34 and Matthew 22:39. First the reference is known
as the “new commandment” which teaches Jesus’ followers to treat one another in love, with an
unending and unconditional love; the same love as exemplified by Christ. The second reference
is about loving our neighbors as we love ourselves. Jesus stated that the entire Mosaic covenant
was encompassed in these two imperatives.
Bonheoffer stated, “no one can become a new human being except by being within the
church, that is, through the body of Christ. Whoever seeks to become a new human being
individually cannot succeed. To become a new human being means to come into the church, to
become a member of Christ’s body.”3 It is through putting on His identity where we are together
in Christ, meaning together we find freedom in Christ to love others.
Steps From Here
It is clear at this point that a small groups program is needed in health and growth of
Christ’s body, but before heading all-ahead towards the goal, the readiness for change meter
should be checked and adjusted as required prior to beginning one’s shift. More than likely there
exists some type of program at any given church, and this holds true at Cross Life Community
Church, such as Sunday school.
3 Bonhoeffer, Dietrich. Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works. Edited by Gerhard Ludwig Müller and Albrecht
Schönherr. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1996-2014.
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Having a discipleship system evident, answers are sought by those that affect that system
on a weekly basis. While it is possible to change system as well as structure, also there is the side
in change that must be considered. Since the scope of this research is limited, I will only briefly
cover this aspect. Hiatt as well as Creasey espouse that “in the end it is not about the rightness of
the solution, but how well that solution has been embraced by employees.”4 Some questions that
are helpful when navigating the people side of change are: 1.) Why are we changing in the first
place? 2.) What is wrong with how things are done today? 3.) Why is the change happening right
now? 4.) Are senior leaders truly committed to this change? Presenting answers to the staff will
enable them to have more buy-in; thereby, ensuring that change will happen.
A small group discipleship system will need to be built from scratch. This is both a good
and bad thing. Good that the desired culture can be breathed into it without meeting any
resistance, bad that it will be a long and difficult process. A statement must be written, vetted, or
finalized. This target or litmus test will be measured. In developing this statement, it will be
imperative it will amalgamate well with the churches vision, mission, or values. Otherwise it will
be difficult when trying to communicate and market the new launch. Also, if you are aiming at
nothing, you will miss every time.
Curriculum will have to be created for the small group staff members. They must be
enabled with all the proper tools for helping others continue in the journey of spiritual growth.
Without being equipped, it will be hard to accomplish anything other than host. Furthermore, the
4 Hiatt, Jeff, and Timothy J. Creasey. Change Management: The People Side of Change. second ed. Loveland,
Colorado: Prosci Learning Center Publications, 2012.
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risk for someone having a poor experience that is outside of your control as being pastor will be
relatively high. Without giving leaders tools or insight, small groups can take on many different
forms.
The first phase of groups will need to be the most spiritually mature Christians in the
community. It is with this group of leaders that the precedence will be set for any future groups.
With a little bit in foresight in this stage, the future will have fewer difficult conversations and
hurt feelings. Lastly, small group maintenance will need to happen every six months or so with
short videos and/or workshops provided to leadership. This allows updating them on current
trends while addressing with guidance and God’s word. This will keep your members’ current as
well as provide a since of transparency within the small group program.
Conclusion
Wilhoit states that, “Formation remains a messy and imprecise business, where character,
wisdom, and faith play a far greater role than theories and techniques.”5 All programs give in the
world alone cannot fulfill the great commission. Do not love what you do, but why you do it.
Only by Jesus Christ can the Great Commission be fulfilled, and His Kingdom expanded.
Without those things at the center of one’s efforts, time is lost, and people go to Hell.
Discipleship’s goal is to have a healthy church just as having a healthy body depends on
providing for various systems contained on one’s body. Pouring into others and enabling them to
perform God’s work is what keeps them chasing after God and because of this, the body of
5 Wilhoit, Jim. Spiritual Formation as If the Church Mattered: Growing in Christ through Community.
Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2008.
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Christ can be handled. All people are used by God by doing what God is asking of them to do.
Only then can a church can be considered healthy vice just busy.
Bibliography
Bock, Darrell L. Acts. Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament. Grand Rapids, MI:
Baker Academic, 2007.
Bonhoeffer, Dietrich. Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works. Edited by Gerhard Ludwig Müller and
Albrecht Schönherr. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1996-2014.
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Earley, Dave, and Rod Dempsey. Disciple Making Is–: How to Live the Great Commission with
Passion and Confidence. Pasadena, CA: B&H Academic, 2013.
Hiatt, Jeff, and Timothy J. Creasey. Change Management: The People Side of Change. second
ed. Loveland, Colorado: Prosci Learning Center Publications, 2012.
Wilhoit, Jim. Spiritual Formation as If the Church Mattered: Growing in Christ through
Community. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2008.
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