Rev. Skip Seibel

Adult Discipleship

There are five catalysts for spiritual growth that should guide the development and implementation of a church’s adult discipleship program. The five catalysts are:

 

* Biblical Teaching

* Personal Bible Study & Reflection

* Personal Ministry

* Mentoring/Modeling Relationships

* Life Changing Experiences

 

Biblical Teaching: If we are to grow in our faith, we must have an ever increasing knowledge of the content     of Scripture. Every church member must be given the opportunity and encouragement to engage in practical biblical study. A church’s adult discipleship ministry should offer a variety of avenues for learning--Sunday school, small group Bible studies, lectures, online learning, video curriculums, conferences, retreats, etc.     Every member must be exposed to biblical teaching and preaching that brings the Bible alive and applies the truth of Scripture to our lives in a way that enables the Holy Spirit to transform us.

 

Personal Bible Study/Reflection: Personal growth in the faith is always connected to the development of a private devotional life. Somewhere along the way, we must begin to spend time with God, alone, by ourselves. We must begin to explore the Bible on our own. Every church member should be given the tools and be encouraged to maintain a private devotional life. The discipline of personal study, reflection, meditation and prayer tunes our hearts to the heart of God. When God speaks to us personally through His Word or prayer,

our faith is strengthened.

 

Personal Ministry: I believe that every church member should be engaged in personal ministry inside the church or outside the church. The expectation of personal ministry should be strong within the church. Every member must be provided the opportunity, encouragement and support to find success in their personal ministry endeavor. When we experience how God can use us to serve His kingdom and touch the lives of others, our faith is strengthened. When God gives us the words to say or allows us to leverage our past to help someone, our faith is solidified. Few things stretch and grow our faith like stepping into a ministry environment and realizing we are God's vessels in this world.

 

Mentoring/Modeling Relationships: God will put people into our paths who will inspire, instruct and encourage us. Throughout our faith journeys, our lives will providentially intersect with others. It may be a friend, relative, pastor, speaker or writer. A church’s adult discipleship ministry must encourage and foster mentoring/ modeling relationships. In some cases, long-term relationships will be formed. In other cases, the relationship might not be a face-to-face friendship but a relationship through books, lectures or a conference. Through mentoring and modeling relationships we will see God through the lives of others and hear God speak through their words.

 

Life Changing Experiences: As we grow in our faith there will be defining moments, mountain top experiences in which we encounter God in a new and powerful way. A church adult discipleship ministry must plan and initiate such experiences. Mission trips, conferences, retreats or concerts can be faith-defining moments. At other times a crucial life event or an everyday occurance might be used by God to become a faith-defining moment. The church must encourage its people to seek and experience life-changing moments, events through which God is experienced in a new, fresh and dynamic way.