Discipleship is not a one-time event or a class someone takes. Discipleship is a way of life that should be integrated throughout all parts of our lives (Deuteronomy 6:5-9; 1 Thessalonians 2:8.) The same can be said about the church. Discipleship should be integrated throughout all parts of the church and its activities. New Hope Church has taken a strategic approach to ensure discipleship is proactively woven through the fabric of our church body. The diagram below outlines our approach (for additional information click the link in the headings).
Our approach starts with reflecting on our vision – building God’s people one at a time. We picture what our church would look like living out this vision.
Next, we outline the discipleship pathway to show what a Christian disciple is. Knowing this is important because a church is made up of disciples at different stages in their walks with Jesus. Modeling what a disciple is enables everyone to have the same understanding about the direction we are growing in our walks with Jesus.
Third, we select the methods we use to help our local church body continue growing into disciples.
Finally, we continuously match different activities and materials to the methods to help us maintain our discipleship strategy.
Approaching discipleship in this manner enables us (New Hope Church) to be strategic helping the church grow into a body that is building God’s people one at a time. The image below summarizes New Hope Church’s discipleship approach…
