Francis Chan and David Platt encourage us to love those whom we are trying to disciple. Discipleship is not simply a task to be accomplished. Let’s make sure we are loving people as we invite them into our lives and pour into them.
This video is a 90 second excerpt from the leader video (over five minutes long) in part 1, section 3 of the Multiply material – “The Heart of a Disciple Maker.”
When most of us think of ways to help others grow in their faith in Christ, we think primarily in terms of what we have to offer to them. Discipleship for many of us has been primarily a one way street of information imparted from us to them. And this is good, as well as necessary. Jesus often stands up and preaches in the synagogue or to the crowd. Paul taught all night in Acts 20. But what if the people we desire to grow more into the image of Christ need more than for us to impart information? Certainly not less than imparting information! But what if they also need for us to enter into conversation with them through asking good questions?
I’m convinced that asking good questions is the soil for Christian growth. Notice that questions neither give the growth, nor are they the growth themselves. Rather, questions are the soil in which growth can happen through God’s inspired Word (i.e. impartation of information) and the power of his Holy Spirit. I think we see this in many places throughout Scripture in many different forms and functioning for many different purposes.
How can asking questions be a helpful companion to sound teaching, or some form of imparting information? Questions naturally lend themselves to internalization. In order to answer a question, there must be thought. Thought brings about ideas that interact with beliefs. Beliefs (depending on the subject) are connected with emotions. Emotions are connected with the heart. When you begin to ask others intentional questions that flow from the Word, then you are tilling the soil of Christian growth. Truth enters into the thought processes introducing (potentially) new ideas that interact with beliefs, which draw out emotion concerning the ideas, and ultimately begin to expose the condition of the heart.
For example, suppose you are talking with a couple of people about sinfulness. You are discussing Adam and Eve’s sin in the Garden of Eden and how since then, sin has corrupted the world. This leads to further discussion about the nature of humans, and with Romans 3 in mind, you ask, “Would you say that all people are totally sinful and unable to do good apart from Christ?” This forces them to think about it. They weigh the idea that mankind is totally sinful against their belief – perhaps that humans are essentially good. As this new idea interacts with their belief, their emotions may come to the surface. Remember that while emotions are never the means by which truth penetrates the heart with change, they often expose the beliefs of people’s hearts. In this particular example, suppose that they become defensive and a little bit angry. “Wait a second… are you trying to tell me that out of the billions of people on this planet, not one does good?” Their tones and facial expressions give them away – they do not like this new idea. But through your question, they have been forced to deeply consider the idea. You (hopefully) have gently and lovingly challenged their preconceived notion in such a way that they are driven to wrestle with this scriptural truth that is so hard for them to swallow. And now, you also have a good idea of what they believe, which will inform your approach to future discussions with them.
Earlier, I emphasized that growth in Christ does not come only through imparting information. However, information is an obvious component of Christian growth. How? This is where it comes together. It is not to say that information is not important and essential in the discipleship process. It is to say that the main concern should not be on transference of knowledge, but on transformation of heart. The one serves the other. Part of the goal, then, is to be able to see what areas people need to grow in, and then begin to plot out how to help guide them there through asking really good questions and conversing with them about those questions. This then leads to opportunities to impart biblical truth in a (hopefully) relevant and penetrating way. Your questions become a way of teaching truth and imparting information that is needed, but in a way that hopefully takes truth to the heart, where true Christian growth takes place.
We want to encourage you to begin listening more intently to what the people you are discipling are going through, ask the Lord to show you the needs of their heart, and then begin to ask intentional questions that are filled with the truth of God’s Word. As you begin to do this with others, seek to do this in your own life. Whether studying the Bible, sitting at work, or even after a disagreement with your spouse, begin to listen in each situation and ask good questions. I am convinced that asking good questions is the soil for Christian growth.
Where do you start with Bible study when discipling someone? How do you approach studying the Bible, and how do you maintain sensitivity to someone who may not yet buy into the Bible being the authoritative, infallible, and inerrant Word of God?
Leader video excerpt from the Multiply material – Part III, Section 1: Why Study The Bible?
Up to this point, the Multiply material has been available on our website to download for free. However, as many of you have discovered, each section must be downloaded individually. As a result, we have gotten several requests for a downloadable version of Multiply in one big PDF. So, for your convenience, we now present to you….
(drum roll, please)
… the Multiply material. In just one big PDF (roughly 1MB). Click the book to the left to access the file for free.
We are happy to announce that the Multiply Webcast from this past November is now available for download. What’s the advantage of doing this? As many of you have already told us, you may want to show it to a small group in segments, be able to pause and rewind easily without pauses in streaming, or view it with people in places without internet access. The downloadable version will now give you the flexibility to do all of these things and more.
You can download the Friday night webcast from Birmingham or the Saturday night webcast from San Francisco. Each webcast is now just a little over two hours because the segments of musical worship have been omitted. This allows you the option of including your own live worship.
To download it, go to Multiply’s homepage, and click “Watch the webcast now.” A window will pop up for you to fill in some information. This is also where you can choose whether you want to view the Birmingham gathering or the San Francisco gathering. After you do this, click “SUBMIT.” At this point, nothing is different from before – when you could only view it online. However, now there is an option to go to the video in Vimeo, where you can then download it. So click “Vimeo” in the bottom right corner of the window that would play the webcast. This will take you to the video in Vimeo’s website. From here, you can click “Download” below the video and then choose which quality level you want. The webcast will then download to your computer.
Our hope is that you now have even more opportunity to benefit from Multiply webcast and are, in turn, equipped and encouraged to take the good news of Jesus to those both near and far.
See if this describes you:
You made a commitment during the Multiply Gathering to disciple someone in the coming year. You had good intentions. You felt convicted. And you really wanted to reach out to that person with the truth of Christ. But now you’re spinning your wheels.
Things have come up, and it’s been harder to initiate that conversation than you thought. So you’re thinking about rethinking your initial commitment. Discipling someone may not be in the cards for you. After all, who are you to disciple someone else when you don’t have it all together?
If that’s you, let me offer a word of encouragement—you’re most certainly not alone. Satan can discourage us, our schedules can overwhelm us, and the fear of man can intimidate us, but none of these things should stop us from sharing the gospel and pouring our lives into others for the sake of Christ. Remember, as a follower of Christ, you have the Spirit of God inside you to apply the Word of God in the lives of others. Therefore…
Pick up the phone. Send that email. Walk across the room. Go get coffee. Initiate that conversation, all the while trusting that the Lord is working behind the scenes in your relationships. You may get rejected, and that’s ok. You’re not called to manufacture results; you’re called to share the truth and the love of God. You may even be surprised to learn that the Lord has been working in the other person’s heart to prepare them for this very purpose.
By the way, if you haven’t already, you can still commit to making disciples in the coming year and let us know about it by going here. We’d love to pray for you and encourage you with emails and videos from David, Francis, and the Multiply team.
Also, we’d love to hear what questions you might have as you have started, or tried to start, a discipling relationship. Just leave your question in the “Comments” section. We may not get to everyone’s question, but we’d like to address some of the difficulties that people are having.
Don’t be discouraged. Seek the Lord in prayer, then step out in faith.
If you missed the Multiply Gatherings this past weekend (Nov. 9th & 10th), you still have the opportunity to participate in those by clicking here. The live-stream will be available through the the Multiply website for about 30 days. After that time, you will be able to download the video for free from the website.
Each night ended with a call to commit to making disciples in the coming year. If, by God’s grace, you are willing to commit to make disciples in the coming year, you can click here. We would like to support you in prayer, with personal encouragement, and additional resources throughout the year.
Also, don’t forget that the Multiply material is still available for free on the website, or you can purchase the material in book form wherever books are sold. As a companion to the Multiply material, see also the Leader Videos for each Multiply lesson (these videos pop up once you select a particular lesson). David and Francis give counsel and encouragement as you take someone through the material in a discipleship relationship.
To learn more about Multiply and join the movement click here.
In case you weren’t able to join us last night, the Multiply Gathering is coming live tonight from San Francisco from 6-9pm (Pacific). You can still register here:
The content will (generally) be the same as last night, though there will obviously be a different feel due to the location. Both David Platt and Francis Chan will be addressing the call to make disciples.
Get a friend and join us.
See the previous posts to get an idea what went on last night. In addition, check out Grace’s reflections on last night’s Gathering over at her blog here and here.
Before David Platt gives his final challenge, there will be a conversation between Francis Chan, David Platt, and Todd Proctor. Todd Proctor is moderating. He is beginning with a word of prayer.
Conversation
A number of items are discussed:
- Depending on the power of God rather than over-thinking or over-planning making disciples.
- How the Lord has placed believers in specific situations – certain jobs, hobbies, etc. – in order to share the gospel. This is how these people are most likely to be reached, and this is God’s design.
- The intersection of community and mission – they are not mutually exclusive.
- The Multiply Material
Challenge
David is now talking about the possibility that each person participating in the Gathering might make at least one disciple in the coming year.
The Challenge: We want to challenge one another tonight to make a list of people God has put in your life that you can carry out this command in their life. Who is the person you know who doesn’t know Christ who you could share with? Who is the believer you know who doesn’t have making disciples on their radar? Who could you pour into?
Make a list of people you’re asking God to help you with in terms of making disciples. Write down specific names.
Commissioning
Francis is encouraging people to pray in faith with the names that have been listed. He is asking God to work in the hearts of those who have been written down, that believers might have the courage to share the gospel. And to believe God in the midst of seeking to make disciples.
Worship/Response
Closing song in response: “Song of Moses”
David Platt is closing the Gathering in prayer.
The second teaching session is beginning.
Believe it or not, you can STILL view the simulcast by going here: multiplymovement.com/watch. I would encourage you to do that if you’re able.
Also you can follow the evening via Twitter & Facebook:
Twitter: @GoMultiply and @FollowRadical
Facebook: facebook.com/GoMultiply and facebook.com/Radical.net
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Call
Pastor David Platt is leading this teaching session under the heading of “Call.” He’s teaching from Matthew 28:16-20 on the Great Commission Christ has given His people. Here’s the outline for David’s message, followed by some brief commentary and memorable lines.
David is sharing about a recent mission trip to India. Two believers, who had become discouraged in their attempt to make disciples, finally began to see fruit as they shared Christ. They began to make disciples who, in turn, began to make disciples.
Five years ago, no one was receptive to their message. Now, many are coming to Jesus Christ. Churches have begun in 350 different villages in Northern India.
I want to be a part of something that can only be explained by God. No pastor, network, nothing.
Now David is reading his passage Matthew 28:16-20. His sermon outline:
As Disciples of Jesus…
Several memorable quotes (some slightly paraphrased):
- As Christians and as the church, if we’re going to be good at anything, it needs to be making disciples
- God has this whole thing rigged (God’s sovereignty in the task of making disciples).
- You will plateau in your relationship with Christ unless you begin leading others to follow Christ.
- Ordinary disciples were doing extraordinary things for the kingdom (the early church’s witness in Acts)
- Whatever our calling or vocation at the moment, our task is the same – make disciples.
- As we make disciples of all nations, we will multiply churches in all nations.
- In the book of Acts you have the people of God, the Word of God, and the Spirit of God. And that’s enough.
- What if every disciple in your church made one disciple in the next year?
- Let’s put down small dreams. Let’s put down selfish ambition. Let’s give Jesus a blank check.
The one question David is leaving everyone with, “What is one specific way you sense God speaking to you tonight?”
He is encouraging people to share the answer to this question with those around them.
This teaching session is followed by a time for a break and for reflection based on what has been said so far. We’ll return for a conversation between Francis Chan, David Platt, and Todd Proctor.
