- Since they're already reached out to us, that shows us that there is a realization of their problem and a willingness to receive some kind of help or guidance. That's a good start.
- The first thing we would do is invite them out to do something fun, like bowling or mini-golf, to get to know each other, show we care about them, build trust, and model a healthy relationship. We would end with a casual dinner where we'd ask them what they thought about the seminar, hopefully transitioning to different needs/topics they'd like to discuss in the future.
- We would spend time with them one-on-one. The wife would spend time with the husband and the husband with the man. Here, we would build trust and a genuine relationship with them and discuss these needs each time we meet. Throughout these meetings, we would show the value of joining the small group for young couples we have at the church.
- We would encourage each to attend the young married couples small group on a weekly basis, where they could not only be further exposed to the Gospel, but have accountability, healthy conversation, and fellowship with others that may be struggling with the same things. Throughout these meetings, we would still be meeting one-on-one with them.
- The last question we asked was how long we would meet with them. Well, as long as it takes. Discipleship isn't a program that fits in a set time and formula. It requires commitment.
Tuesday, November 12, 2013
Discipleship Scenario
The scenario my group was given in class today was the task of a couple discipling a young married couple. At twenty-four years of age, they have been married for two years and fight all the time. They made a connection through a marriage workshop our church has held a few weekends ago and have reached out through hearing we do a marriage mentoring ministry. They have been recently exposed to the Gospel, and although the wife had some exposure to it through a high school Bible club, they are not believers.
Lee Rogers
Lee Rogers, a part of Youth Alive, is a missionary to the
youth of America with the Assemblies of God. Youth Alive is a program focused on impacting
campuses with the Bible. They understand that while some adults are in schools, if the Gospel is going to be advanced there, it has to be through the students. Adults can only be invited to speak in a school in a
limited context, such as a Bible club or a world religious class. They can’t,
however, label it as truth, only as their personal view. Adults don’t belong in
school unless they’re employees of the school, which makes them employees of
the government, which makes things tricky for them. On the other hand, a student
can say about they want- they can evangelize, preach the Gospel, and wear
whatever t-shirts they wants until they start offending other students. It’s up
to students to spread the Gospel in public schools!
1.
Campus
missionaries. These are students who follow Jesus as school. They are given
five things to focus on: prayer, live, tell, serve, and give. Youth Alive
strongly believes that students can be missionaries now in their school
campuses. Mr. Lee told the testimony of a student who accepted Christ, became a
missionary on campus, and through his ministry, saw twenty lives transformed by
the Gospel. This is discipleship.
2.
Campus
clubs. These are groups of students meeting together for school ministry.
Youth Alive also believes that students can be church-planters.
3.
The Seven
Project. Youth Alive has started the Seven Project, a series of school
assemblies service project. They go into school, address their needs, whether
it’s bullying, scholastic achievement, sexting, etc. Though they are not
allowed to have any mention of God or faith-based material, Mr. Lee compared it
to the book of Esther. The Name of God is not mentioned but the Spirit of God
is clearly there. After the assembly,
they have follow-up events at night, as supporters of the Bible clubs and what
they are doing. And though they believe in events, they believe more so in
processes. To prepare for the event, The Seven Project comes to communities
seven weeks before the assembly and gives churches and Christian students an
action plan of what to do. They equip young leaders to know how to share the
Gospel in their school community, and give them t-shirts, Books of Hope, and a
plan to lead up to the event. If churches, students, and youth group do their
work, it gets people excited for the actual event. It’s not just another
assembly, but it’s an event that hype has been building up to.
4.
Prayer.
They reach out to the local churches and gather people to pray for the church
and the communities. They are called “prayer zone partners.” Things that they
pray for: the campus, openness to the Gospel, teachers, students, etc.
Something very interesting talked about what how he compared school events
like See You At the Pole to baptism. In the early church, baptism was a public
proclamation, a sign of rebirth, and gave them an identity as a Christian. All
of these things are accomplished in public school events such as See You At the Pole.
Another thing that stood out to be what the steps he suggests in planning an outreach in school. One student asked about how to
draw people in to bible groups in schools? Well, it has to be engaging. For example,
instead of advertising it as a place to grow as a disciple of Christ, you can
draw people in by asking the tough questions like “Is God real?” or “Does God
care?”
He gave a few practical questions to think about when planning an outreach at school:
· Who do you want to serve in your school?
· What do you want to do for them?
· Where will it take place?
· When will it happen?
· Why are you reaching out to them?
· How will this all happen?
I was very grateful Mr. Lee Rogers came to share with us in Mr. Reese's absence. It's obvious that he is very passionate about discipleship, and he opened our eyes to a form of discipleship that we often overlook.
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