Methodology 

The discipleship methodology that we follow has the following components:

 

It fully relies on the love, wisdom and power of the Holy Spirit and requires the revelation of the divine humility of Jesus Christ in us.

 

The process of discipling moves the disciple to die to self. In the words of Jesus: “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain.” (John 12:24 NKJV)

The disciple learns that he needs to know the truth so that the truth will set him free. The truth that he needs to know is understanding the nature of God (what God says about Himself), how God views us (what He says about us), and, finally, that it is necessary to begin to actively hear and do His sayings.

 

In getting to know the truth, the disciple needs to observe the “truths” to which he is attached. He needs to uncover the beliefs that he has and find out if those truths and beliefs are from God or from the world. Assessing the implications of the beliefs to which he subscribes would help him understand the importance of holding on only to the truth that comes from God.

 

A combination of reading the scriptures and asking the Holy Spirit for guidance should be sufficient to strike out false beliefs and adopt the beliefs that come from God. It is also important to understand the implications of right, godly beliefs for life.

The methodology also includes several subjects that need to be studied, understood and, most importantly, practiced: forgiveness, faith, righteousness, grace, abiding in Him and He in us, and His new commandment — “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.” (John 13:34 NKJV)

 

The disciple needs to live the life of the believer, and that is accomplished by hearing and doing His sayings (Matthew 7:24-27). At this point, the disciple does His sayings not to get close to Him but because he is already close to Him; it is not done out of obligation but out of love. There are many sayings to be done, but they could be classified in three simple categories: first, the obvious, doing good works for others (the poor, the sick, the imprisoned, the lonely, the broken hearted, our enemies, etc.); second, hearing and doing His sayings that relate to the soul (such as “be anxious for nothing”, “do not worry about your life”, “you are not a slave of sin anymore”, “I have overcome the world”, etc.); third, do receive–that is, receive His love, His joy, and His righteousness. Receive also the Holy Spirit and experience the presence of Jesus living within — “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20 NKJV)

 

 

Once the disciple begins to live the life of the believer and begins to die to self, the only teacher he needs is the Holy Spirit.

Hearing and doing His sayings brings the abundant life that He promised us; no matter the circumstances we face in life, we remain in peace and joy in the love of the Lord. This new life builds the testimony that will help the disciple explain to others the reason for his hope. “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer1 to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope2 that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,” (1 Peter 3:15 NIV 1984). When we set apart Christ as Lord, the joy that He pours into our hearts is such that we can’t be quiet, that we have to tell the world about His love, His grace and truth. This is how the disciple becomes a fisher of men.

When we experience the abundant life that Jesus came to give us, we are able to create, assemble, and compile a testimony that explains the reasons for our hope and joy. At the same time, we are compelled, out of His love for us and in us, to tell everyone about what He has done and what He is doing for us.

 

 

It is only when we experience the abundant life that Jesus gives to us, the abundant life that comes when we are led by the Holy Spirit, that we can’t stop talking about Him. This is when we become reliable disciple makers. It is not out of duty that we work on the great commission; it is the result of His love in us that we want to preach Him to the world. This only happens when we are propelled by the Holy Spirit.