Going Wider in Discipleship and Outreach

Going wider in discipleship and outreach is one of the conference’s three priorities for this quinquennium, 2023- 2028. We are endeavoring to ensure that we have an active discipleship program across the conference. Each department of the local church can participate in disciplining its members and creating outreach opportunities in which members can be actively involved. One of the goals of the Sabbath School and Personal Ministries Department is to establish and sustain an active small-group approach with membership involvement in community outreach activities. The target is the development of small groups both at the church and community levels.

As we go wider in discipleship and outreach, we intend to inspire, train, and equip church members to be actively involved in fulfilling the Church's mission. In Matthew 28: 18-20, Jesus gave the Great Commission. The Church is to engage in the making of disciples of men and women. We are aiming for total member involvement. The members of the body of Christ have been gifted for ministry. Ephesians 4:11-13 states: “And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, Till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.”

As the Church embarks on this mission, Jesus reassures us that He will be with us even to the end of the age. Ellen G. White says in The Acts of the Apostles p. 9. “The church is God’s appointed agency for the salvation of men. It was organized for service, and its mission is to carry the gospel to the world. From the beginning, it has been God’s plan that through His Church shall be reflected to the world His fullness and His sufficiency. The members of the church, those whom He has called out of darkness into His marvelous light, are to show forth His glory. The church is the repository of the riches of the grace of Christ; and through the church, will eventually be made manifest, even to the principalities and powers in heavenly places, the final and full display of the love of God.”

“A disciple is one whose choices, decisions, and worldview are being transformed by the Holy Spirit through the word of God” (Seventh-day Adventist Church Manual, P. 45, 20th ed). We are also told that “Making disciples is a continuous process by which a person becomes a disciple and makes more disciples. Baptism is an essential part of the discipleship process, but it is not the end result of that process” (Seventh-day Adventist Church Manual, p. 44, 20th ed). In the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20), we are commanded to “go therefore and make disciples of all the nations.” We are called upon to obey this command as we live in these last days, within the context of the Three Angels’ messages (Revelation 14: 6-12).

How can we fulfill the Great Commission?

1. Making disciples should be a way of life for every Christian. We are called upon to make disciples in our homes, workplaces, schools, and everyday interactions with others. Disciples are to be made of every nation, tribe, language, and people.

2. “Baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” Every person must accept Jesus as Lord and Savior, become a member of His church, and commit to making more disciples. Christians believe the Bible is our only rule of faith and practice. That means we look to the Bible to determine what to think about life and how to live our lives.

3. “Teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you.” This means that teaching is a vital and ongoing experience of maturing in the faith. Teaching should occur before and after a person is baptized.

2 Peter 3:18 counsels us: “but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.”

Implications of Discipleship

1. Discipleship impacts every area of our lives: our beliefs, character, lifestyle, relationships, work, entertainment, finances, health, witness, and desire to see others in God’s kingdom.

2. Discipleship is an ongoing activity of following Jesus.

3. Christ is our Savior and Lord and the only perfect example.

4. Discipleship deals with the internal and focuses on maturity in Christ through knowing. “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32).

5. Outreach deals with the external and focuses on fulfilling the mission of Christ through doing. “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you and lo I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen” (Matthew 28:18 -20).

Biblical foundation of discipleship and outreach

The life and ministry of the following Bible Characters illustrate how God does discipleship and outreach:

Isaiah

In a vision, Isaiah saw God’s glory and felt a need to serve as a messenger to the people of Israel (Isa. 6:1-13).

• During the vision, he saw God seated on His throne among angels.

• God gave him a specific message for Israel.

• He offered to serve, saying, “Here am I! Send me!”

• Because of that vision, he became a prophet to Israel. His message included warnings of judgment and hope.

Bible Study

1. Thematic Method—A specific theme or topic is chosen, such as “sabbath,” “faith,” or “covenant.” Then, the Bible passages on that theme are selected and organized sequentially using a series of questions. The texts provide the answer to the question. The theme, for example, is “Faith.” Questions: What is faith? Hebrews 11:1,2, etc. How is a person saved? Ephesians 2: 8.9, etc. What does Romans 12:3 says about faith?

2. The Chain Method—A theme or topic is selected, and several Bible passages are chosen and organized sequentially. If a physical Bible is used, this involves Bible marking. At the end of the first text of the study, the second text is written, and at the end of the second text, the third is written, etc. In this manner, a person can conduct a Bible study without the use of notes Exodus 20:11; Luke 4: 16; Luke 6;1-5, etc.

3. The Encounter Method—A Bible passage is read, and the student is asked, "What do you hear God saying?" What are you seeing? Then, the leader shares what he or she hears and sees (John 5:1-15), etc.

4. The Inductive Method—Is a method of Bible study that involves careful observation of the text, then interpret its meaning based on the context and historical background, and apply the lessons learned to discover the meaning of the text for him or herself rather than relying only on outside interpretation (Luke 15: 11-32), etc.

5. The Deductive Method—involves starting with a pre-determined theme or doctrine and finding Bible verses supporting and confirming that specific idea. For example, “forgiveness” Ephesians 4:32; Matthew 6; 14, 15; Luke 6:37.

An individual who desires to grow spiritually must practice specific spiritual disciplines that are essential for spiritual growth. Some of these are listed here:

• Prayer

• Fasting

• Bible reading/study

• Silence

• Solitude

• Giving

• Gratitude

• Fellowship

• Journaling

• Confession

• Service

• Family and Corporate Worship

• Witnessing

When the local church pays close attention to disciplining its members, it will experience explosive numerical and spiritual growth. Every believer has been gifted for the work of reaching the lost. “Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest” (Matthew 9: 37-38). As God's appointed agency of salvation, the Church must inspire, train, and equip every member to reach the lost with the message of salvation. Like Isaiah, are you ready to answer the call to service? When Jesus comes the second time, I pray that He will find us ready, along with those for whom we would have labored.

Reynold Ferary Director | Sabbath School/ Personal Ministries Alberta Conference