Synopsis
Jesus’ command is unmistakable - “Go and make disciples of all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey all things that I have commanded you” (Matt 28:19). There is no escaping the universal mandate that this charge has on all Christians.
“I know I should,” they say, “but I don’t know how.”
Imagine that a person’s heart is softened by the Holy Spirit to their responsibility to make disciples. They approach you to talk - “Ok, I’m ready to start making disciples,” they say. "Where do I begin?"
Or suppose someone is a new or young Christian and is seeking to grow. What do you do? Invite them back each week to hear the sermon – certainly. Place them in a small group or Bible study class – yes, again. But you know that more is needed.
What they need is an intentional relationship with a mature Christ-follower over the course of an extended period of time where they can learn and apply God’s Word.
Aspire: Developing and Deploying Disciples in the Church and for the Church, is meant to provide a tool to answer the “how” question of disciple-making. To do this it focuses on four vital areas of growth necessary for all Christ-followers:
Know – A disciple would grow in his knowledge of God as revealed in God’s Word which culminates in the person and work of Jesus Christ;
Be – A disciple would grow in applying the life-giving message of the gospel to their heart as they increasingly reflect the character of God;
Do – A disciple would grow in obedience to the commands of Christ as they learn to respond to the wildly extravagant love of God;
Love – A disciple would grow in their love for their families, the church, and those far from God.
A holistic growth plan must do more than simply download information, rather it should aim at producing people who “Love God with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength and to love their neighbors as themselves (Matt 22:37; Lk 10:27).
The content is divided into three, twelve-week units in a workbook fashion that allows for the young Christian and a disciple-maker to journey through the content together.
“Gospel”
Section 1 aims to provide a robust, gospel framework derived from God’s Word that moves through 12 chapters of God’s work from creation to consummation.
“Ministry”
Section 2 focuses on the process of spiritual formation and growth that results from heartfelt worship and is demonstrated in practices such as prayer and Bible reading.
“Mission”
Section 3 pushes the disciple to live a life of mission by learning to declare and demonstrate the gospel to a watching world.
Tools alone will not produce disciples, but an intentional plan will make it easier for our churches to say “I know I should and now I can.”
About the Author
Matt Rogers lives in Greenville, SC and serves as the pastor of The Church at Cherrydale (www.tccherrydale.com). After planting the church in 2009, Matt led the church to merge with an existing church in the city in order to multiply disciples to God’s glory. Matt is a graduate of Furman University (BA in psychology), Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (MA in Counseling), and Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (MDiv in pastoral ministry). Currently he is completing his PhD in Applied Theology at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Matt writes for a number of evangelical organizations and speaks around the nation about the need for disciple-making and leadership development in the local church. This all pales in comparison to the joy Matt finds in being the husband of Sarah and the father of Corrie (7), Avery (5), and Hudson (4). Follow Matt on Twitter @mattrogers_ or his personal blog at www.equiptogrow.com
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