Building Disciple Makers – Part 1

Discipleship is not just about gaining knowledge or developing good character—it’s about becoming a disciple, and building disciple-makers. Pastor Dale Stephenson compares it to an apprenticeship, where you follow someone who is already living out their faith, learn from them, and then pass it on to others. Being a disciple is not reserved for pastors or church leaders; it’s the calling of every believer. Jesus calls us not only to follow Him but to become like Him. As we grow in our faith, our goal is to reflect Jesus more and more so that others can see Him through us. This is the lifelong journey of discipleship—learning, growing, and building others do the same.

Read Luke 6:40

Discuss

1. Luke 6:40 says, “The student is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like their teacher.” What does this verse teach us about the process of discipleship?
2. In what ways do we sometimes limit discipleship to knowledge or personal growth instead of seeing it as a call to go make disciples?
3. Romans 8:29 tells us that we are “predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son.” How does us becoming more like Jesus naturally lead to making disciples?
4. Think about someone who has discipled or mentored you in your faith. What did they do that helped you grow? How can you replicate that in someone else’s life?
5. 2 Corinthians 3:18 speaks about being “transformed into His image with ever-increasing glory.” What role does the Holy Spirit play in helping us become disciple-makers? How do we apply this to building disciple makers?
6. What are some barriers that prevent us from actively discipling others? How can we overcome them?

Respond

What is one practical step you can take this week to invest in someone else’s spiritual growth, whether through encouragement, mentorship, or sharing your faith?

Leader’s Note:

If you or anyone in your group is interested in being discipled, please reach out to your Life Group pastors for guidance and opportunities to grow in your faith journey.

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Building Disciple Makers – Part 2 – Women As Disciple Makers

As followers of Christ in the modern-day church, we can be confident of the value and equality of women at all levels. Through this Bible-based discussion, God’s intention is evident from Genesis to the Epistles, showing that women can and should be active in the mission of God. This includes ministry leadership, teaching, governance, and the functionality of ministry gifts for the benefit of the Church. It is important for each of us to understand the heart of God in this matter, rather than following avenues of traditional thinking that are inconsistent with the Scriptures.

Read 1 Timothy 2:7-13 Also consider: Exodus 15:20, Judges 4:4, 2 Kings 22:14

Discuss

1. Pastor Dale explained there are ten different Greek words used in the New Testament for the word ‘teach’. The Greek word in 1 Timothy is ‘didasko’ (to teach). Seems simple enough, but given the evidence of prophetic women in the Old Testament, how does the context of verse 7 and Dickson’s quote, below, change the application for the modern-day church? “For Paul, ‘teaching’ (in the technical sense) involved carefully preserving and laying down for the congregation the traditions handed on by the Apostles. In the period before the texts of the New Testament were readily available (pre AD100), a church’s only access to the range of things the Apostles had said about Jesus and his demands was through a teacher, the one entrusted with the Apostolic deposit.” – Rev Dr John Dickson, supported by JI Packer
2. Paul’s letter to Timothy was given in the context of the 1st century church, which included Paul’s direct association with women in ministry. Review the following scriptures and discuss the various ways in which women were actively involved in church leadership and teaching: Luke 2:3, Luke 8:1-3, Acts 18:26, Acts 21:9, Rom 16:1-4, Phil 4:3, Col 4:15. Note: The word ‘helpful’ in Rom 16:2 is the Greek word, ‘protatis’, a woman set over others, a female guardian caring for the affairs of others and aiding them with their resources.
3. Read Romans 16:7. Biblical scholar, Dr. Scott McKnight, states that the original manuscripts clearly record the female name of ‘Junia’ in this passage, confirming that she held the office of Apostle. However, in subsequent generations, the name was replaced in some translations with the masculine form, ‘Junias’, probably to align scripture with the male mindset of the dark ages. How does this type of misrepresentation of the Bible damage how the church represents Christ to our generation?
4. Read Genesis 1:27-28. Can you see any difference between the role of the man or woman before the fall? Read Genesis 2:18 and Psalm 54:4. From these two passages where the same Hebrew word is used, what do we understand the role of ‘helper’ to mean?
5. Read Ephesians 5:23-25. What does ‘headship’ mean? What was Christ’s example to the husband and father of every family?
6. Read Acts 2:17-18. Is there any difference shown by the Holy Spirit toward men and women in this passage? Read 1 Peter 3:7. How then should we consider our ways, men in their conduct toward women, and women in their view of themselves?

   Respond

   Competition between the sexes is part of the curse and is in direct opposition to the character and nature of Christ. Jesus’ teachings liberated women, as evidenced by the way He acknowledged them and poured out His Holy Spirit upon them. The work of the cross undid the curse and ushered in a radical reformation that liberated all as disciples who make disciples for Christ. Identify one way that you can be more Christlike – men, in your conduct toward women, and women, in your view of yourself.

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Building Disciple Makers – Part 3 – The Kingdom Comes With The King

When Jesus returns as the King, He will bring His Kingdom to earth. As His disciples, we are meant to reflect the values and works of God’s Kingdom here and now. In the story of the Sheep and the Goats, Jesus explains the importance of helping those in need. How then should we live?

Read Matthew 25:31-46, James 2:19-20, Isaiah 1:17, Matthew 7:1-2,1 John 3:17-18, Proverbs 29:7

Discuss

1. 1. 1. Read Matthew 25:31-46 about the Sheep and Goats. Note that this is not a parable but an illustration of Judgement Day, when Jesus the Son of Man comes in His glory. What one key lesson speaks to you in this passage? Why were the ‘goats’ surprised by the judgement?
      2. Does this narrative imply that we are saved by doing good works? How is a person saved from their sins, according to Ephesian 2:8-9?
      3. Read James 2:19-20 and John 3:17-18. Why do you think the Scripture says, “faith without works is dead”? What are some examples of meaningful works?
      4. When we see people with great needs, it is easy to judge them and their circumstances for their mistakes, poor life choices and failures. What are some assumptions commonly held about such people? Have you personally been involved in any work to directly help the marginalised in our community (such as those experiencing homelessness, addiction, poverty, domestic violence, etc)? How did that help you grow spiritually?
      5. Have you personally received help when you were experiencing great need in your life? How did this help make a difference?
      6. Read Isaiah 1:17. How can one “learn to do good, seek justice, help the oppressed?” Why does God have a special heart for orphans and widows?
      7. In the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37), when was it especially noted that it was a Samaritan who stopped to help, compared to the other two who passed by? How does this parable challenge our own behaviour?
    

   Respond

   When the early disciples gathered in small groups in homes, they understood the importance of providing practical assistance to their community and beyond. In the same way, Life Groups are also called to have an ‘outward’ focus on community service through, for example, LifeCare. Contact a Life Group pastor for further details. Consider one area where you could help to meet a community need in a practical way, or consider how your Life Group as a whole might partner with LifeCare to support the local community.

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Building Disciple Makers – Part 4 – The Disciple Making Process

Jesus is the master disciple-maker and He calls us to be disciple-makers as well. It’s easy to be daunted by this and believe it’s not something we can do ourselves. However, Jesus puts His Church’s mission into ordinary people’s hands and equips us to do what He calls us to do. By His example, Jesus gave His disciples a simple and reproducible way to go and make disciples. We see this when He sends out the twelve and then the 72 disciples. If we follow Jesus’ example, we too can become disciple-makers and have the joy of experiencing another person coming to know Jesus for themselves. This is fundamental to who we are at Crossway.

Read Matthew 28:16-20 Also consider: John 4:1-42, Acts 4:1-22, Luke 10:1-23

Discuss

Pray and Join God’s Work

1. Jesus prayed before choosing His disciples (Luke 6:12-13) and only did what He saw His Father doing (John 5:19). Read John 4:1-42 and discuss how Jesus modelled disciple-making with the Samaritan Woman.

Proximity Matters

2. Jewish students became disciples by staying close to their teacher for years. Peter and John were transformed by being with Jesus (Acts 4:1-22). How might spending time with Jesus change you?

Imitation

3. Paul encouraged others to imitate his faith (1 Thess 1:6, 1 Cor 11:1). Jesus also called his followers to live like Him (John 14:12, Matt 11:28-30). Discuss how you can imitate Jesus in everyday life and how others might imitate you.

Person of Peace

4. Jesus taught His followers to find ‘people of peace’ who were open to God’s work (Luke 10:1-7). At Crossway, we understand people of peace as those who like, listen to and serve you. Who are the people of peace in your life? What do we do if we think we don’t have any people of peace in our lives?

Discovery Bible Method (DBM)

5. DBM is a simple way to study the Bible with others. What are the key steps? Have you ever tried it with someone exploring faith? See http://www.crossway.org.au/dbm

Rapid Mobilisation

6. In John 4:39-42, the Samaritan Woman shared her faith immediately, impacting her town. Do you feel ready to disciple others, even without years of experience? Why or why not?

 

Respond

The Global church is growing, but the Western church has been declining; some believe no one is interested in Jesus or that we’re not good at sharing the Good News. Pastor Dale reminds us, “Anyone, anywhere, anytime, can disciple someone towards faith in Jesus.” This is what Jesus commanded in the Great Commission. Pray for courage to become a disciple-maker, free from the lie that you’re not qualified. Identify one person in your life who might be a person of peace and pray for opportunities to start a discipleship journey with them.

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