#3. The Call is Multiplication Not Addition
In review over the past year, I began to trust and obey the Lord. Faith
is the most important building block to achieve the mission's purpose to
build up the body to maturity. The training of other disciples required
the Lord’s power not mine. The assigned verse, Col. 1:28-29, Trust Jesus
(Vol.1., E.T.S., Dawson) "We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone
in all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. To this
end I labor struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully work in
me" (NIV).
Addition - As a new disciple a year before, I was on fire to tell the
whole world. I tried to add converts. I figured that if I could tell everyone
what I know they too could enjoy the freedom I was experiencing. On my
first attempt I tried to add people to my new vision, so I became a Bible
study leader and started my first group. I had high expectations, I had
enough coffee for fifty people but only two attended. I focused on single
parent's struggles and needs, but the group never grew. A year later the
group disbanded. On another attempt, I tried adding myself to a group.
I joined another singles group called Marketplace Ministries in hopes of
getting ideas that I could take these principles back to my local church.
It was a college group that focused on lifestyle evangelism. I led
groups and eventually became a mentor. Next, I was asked to attend a yearly
seminar and lead a group in lifestyle evangelism. Not much occurred because
in the early parts of my ministry, I focused on addition or converts. Converts
are people added to the group, for the leader does the minimum to gain followers
not disciples. These leaders tend to convince their followers rather than
knowing each person while training individuals to be disciples.
Multiplication - In contrast requires a long term commitment of
training and relating to a disciples with a goal of personal active maturity
not only inactive learners. The pastor had suggested that I seek a disciple.
As noted above the church I was attending had only a few people I could
relate to, so I moved to a Single Parent's group at a nearby larger
sister church. After sometime at the group, I became disappointed by the
Bible studies that were given. I asked to help lead a study and
present a call to discipleship? They agreed that I could start with leading
a Bible study. I used the book of Jonah to issue a call. The book of Jonah
was effective to empathize to the hurting about what happened
to Jonah when as he ran away from God's call to missions. I empathized
that I too was out of God's will. I rejected His call to
follow His commands. Then I felt like I was in the Belly of the fish, so
then I prayed, and I followed God's call to server Him, to discipleship.
My study group began to multiply, and it grew from five to thirty. I recruited
other disciples. Multiplication occurred and works best when people agree on a vision, have
a common bond, and they are willing to meet to accomplish the vision. Multiplication
goal is to train people to maturity and discipleship, so they can teach
others as a discipler. In leading a discipleship group, new responsibilities
were learned. I was learning from some spiritual leaders, but that was only
part of my responsibility. Next, I was responsible to pass personal discipleship
on or for training individuals as discipler. (E.T.S. Chapter 3)
#1. The Laymen's Call to Build
up the Body|
#2 . The Great Commission| #3.
The Call is Multiplication Not Addition|
#4. Disciple-Discipler|
#5. Hiding The Word in My
Heart Produced Growth