In the huddles that I lead (both local and coaching), one of the more powerful practices we return to again and again is submitting ourselves to carefully-crafted questions for self-examination and reflection. It’s a simple way to stop and pay attention to what God is trying to do in our lives. Wesley did this in his small groups, as have many others who have sought to follow Jesus intentionally and consistently, including St. Ignatius (pictured above).
As I look over the questions, I ask the Spirit to point out one question that gets to the heart of how God is wanting to move in my life right now. This is the “Kairos moment” that is the key to discern what God is saying to me, and the process of growth begins!
When this practice is embedded within a community that is on mission together, it becomes a powerful discipleship tool. But one of the things we’ve discovered is that without the practice of mission, groups like this quickly become bland and listless. Too much intake, not enough outflow, like a stagnant pond.
At Christ Church, we use a set of questions we amalgamated from various sources, including The Order of Mission, Neil Cole, and John Wesley. You can download the pamphlet we use here. Recently I came across some questions that A.W. Tozer used for reflection and self-examination. I quite liked them, and perhaps they’ll end up in a future edition of our huddle questions! Here they are:
- What do I want most?
- What do I think about the most?
- How am I using my money?
- What am I doing with my free time?
- What company am I keeping?
- Who and what do I admire?
- What am I laughing at?
What kinds of questions have you found to be powerfully formative for growth in mission and discipleship?
Good stuff. Feels we should always pay attention to a practice that so many saints going before us have done to shape movements of God. Something as simple as stopping and regularly asking ourselves questions.
The tricky part (for Americans) is stopping! But oh-so-helpful when we make it a regular rhythm.
Yeah, we have to remain teachable at all times, inquireing of the Lord. Great thoughts. Thank you!
Here are some questions:
What areas do you need help?
What risks have you taken?
What story are you living?
What are desperate for, crying out for?
Love these Ryan!
Ben
You ask…
“What kinds of questions have you found to be powerfully formative for growth in mission and discipleship?”
Why do I want?
…. The Lord is my shepherd, I shall NOT want. Psalm 23:1 KJV.
Why do I want to “plant a church?”
…. When NOT one “disciple of Christ” in the Bible was asked to “plant a church?”
…. When NOT one “disciple” in the Bible was instructed how to “plant a church?”
Why do I want the “Title” and “Position” – Pastor/Reverend/Leader?
…. When NOT one “disciple” in the Bible had the “Title”- Pastor/Reverend/Leader?
…. When NOT one “disciple” in the Bible was “called,” – Pastor/Reverend/Leader?
…. When NOT one congregation in the Bible was “Led” by a – Pastor/Reverend?
And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold:
them also I must bring, and they shall “hear My voice; “
and there shall be “ONE” fold, and “ONE” shepherd.
John 10:16
One Fold – One Shepherd – One Voice
{{{{{{ Jesus }}}}}}
Well, it always depends on the definitions of the words you're using, A.
You've left comments before here challenging the concept of making disciples and planting churches, and while I agree that there are plenty of bad ways to do this, I completely disagree that we should not be talking about discipleship, mission, and planting churches.
The process of helping others follow Jesus (what I call making disciples) and establishing kingdom beachheads (what I call planting churches) is abundantly evident in the New Testament, and I'm simply trying to do those things in the way that Jesus seemed to have taught his disciples to do it.
If not making disciples and planting churches, what would you say Paul was doing for the bulk of the Book of Acts?
Ben – Thanks for the response.
I think one of our challenges is – when you say church – and I say church…
It just AIN’T the same thing. “Traditions of Men” are very powerful to deceive.
Jesus warned us about our “Traditions”…
Mark 7:13 KJV – Making the word of God of *none effect* through your tradition…
Mark 7:13 ASV – Making “void” the word of God by your tradition…
Mark 7:13 NIV – Thus you “nullify” the word of God by your tradition…
Coming from a “Spiritually Abusive” background I learned to be a Berean
and check out pastor/leaders and what “they say” compared to the scriptures.
“…to know them which labour among you, and are over you…” 1 Thes 5:12.
After leaving “the Abusive Religious System” I had to go to Jesus for myself and
I had to start from scratch, print out every verse that had the Greek word Ekklesia,
translated “church,” and read them, over and over again, and ask Jesus…
What does “church” really mean?
“Ekklesia of God” can be translated – assembly, congregation, referring to believers.
“Ekklesia of God” can also be translated – Called out ones of God. As in, Jesus…
He is the head of the body, (the ekklesia, the called out ones) The Church. Col 1:18.
Seems to me “church,” in the scriptures, always refers to people… Ekklesia…
NEVER refers to, a place, a building, a business, an institution, a denomination, or a
501 (c) 3, non-profit, tax deductible, Religious Corporation – most today call church.
When searching, in the Bible, for what “church” means – I found…
NO one ever *joined* “A Church.”
NO one ever *went to* “A Church.”
NO one ever *Tithed* to “A Church.”
NO one, called pastor, ever *Led* “A Church.”
NO one ever brought their friends to “A Church.”
NO one ever applied for membership in “A Church.”
NO one ever gave silver, gold, or money, to “A Church.”
NO buildings with steeples and crosses called “A Church.”
NO – Pastors – in Pulpits – Preaching – to People – in Pews. 😉
If none of these are in the Bible – Why do I want to talk about them?
But – In my experience with – having been part of a church plant…
This is the language used in most “church plants” today.
And so-called “Church Planters” expect to “Lead” – *their church.*
But, Jesus told His Disciples NOT to be called “Leader”
For you have “ONE” leader – the Christ. Mat 23:10 NASB.
How can you – when making “Disciples of Christ,” obeying Jesus, Mat 28:20 NKJV
**teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you**
How can you be known as a “Leader” and teach what Jesus taught His Disciples?
NOT to be called “Leader.” for “ONE” is your “Leader” – The Christ?
Maybe, first, we have to define and know what “the Church of God” is? Looks like?
To know if it’s even possible to plant one?
Absolutely we need to ask that question. It's one of the things we're doing this weekend in Chicago at the Missional Learning Commons (http://missionalcommons.org).
I am sorry to hear about your spiritually abusive background. That is truly some of the nastiest stuff to deal with in life.
You do say "in my experience" with planting a church that this is what people mean… but I'm telling you there ARE a growing number of people really doing things differently. You'd meet a bunch of them in Chicago this weekend if you came. Honest!
Ben
Thanks for the invite. And caring about the abuse. Hope you have a good conference.
And the “Spiritual Abuse” has a benefit – drives you to Jesus. 😉
Found out Jesus is the best teacher – Yes? 😉
You write in reference to Disciple…
“The process of helping others follow Jesus (what I call making disciples)”
Disciple in Strong's is #3101 mathetes, A learner, pupil. (NOT follower???)
IMO – Many claim to be “Disciples of Christ” or “followers” of Christ. Yes?
How many “learn” from Jesus directly? 😉
Many can follow Jesus at a distance, and even follow, walk, on the same path…
But – are they “learning” directly from Jesus? NO middle man?
Or are they just ”learning about him” from a another mere fallible human?
Or “learning” from others on the same path, who learned from others?
Jesus always spoke to the multitudes in parables.
And when he was “alone with His Disciples” He explained the parables.
All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables;
and without a parable spake he not unto them.
Matthew 13:34
and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples.
Mark 4:33
These multitudes were all in the same location following Jesus.
But, only “His disciples, His pupils, learned” what Jesus meant.
John 6:45
It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God.
Deuteronomy 4:36
Out of heaven he made thee to hear his voice,
that he might instruct thee:
Psalms 32:8
I will *instruct thee and *teach thee
in the way which thou shalt go: I will *guide thee with mine eye.
John 14:26
But the Comforter, [which is] the Holy Ghost,
whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things…
John 16:13
Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth…
1 John 2:20 Ye have an *unction from the Holy One, and ye *know all things.
*unction = anointing. *know = perceive, discern, discover.
1 John 2:26
These [things] have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you.
27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you,
**and ye need not that any man teach you:**
but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things…
In my experience – Learning from Jesus directly is much more then following Jesus.
IMO – Jesus taught His Disciples directly then…
And – Jesus teaches His Disciples directly today… NO middle man…
Be blessed and be a blessing.
I agree that we all need to be taught from Jesus, but all the way through the NT there are exhortations from fallible human beings to "imitate me as I imitate Christ." Remember your leaders and imitate their way of life… etc. It's simply acknowledging that others are further along in the journey, and that one of the ways we have access to Jesus is through others in the Body of Christ.
That's not a "middle man" as much as it's an incarnational reality. Jesus doesn't have a bunch of isolated "disciples" who all commune with him individually, he has a Body that gathers and builds itself up as each part does its work. I need to have Jesus teach me in personal prayer, but I also need to hear his voice through those who are discipling me, because oftentimes they see things I don't see.
The correction to blindly following false teachers is to remember that "you don't need anyone to teach you." BUT the correction to overly-individualistic discipleship is "imitate me as I imitate Christ."
Maybe another BOTH/AND relationship with JESUS, directly with him and indirectly with his people.
Ben
Much agreement about learning from”others are further along in the journey.”
But – We also have to – un-learn – lots of “Traditions of Men” NOT in the Bible. 🙁
The best a mere fallible human can pass along is “Some Truth” and “Some Error.”
Give a man a fish and he eats for a day.
Teach a man to fish and he eats daily, for life, eternity.
Pastor/Teachers in pulpits “create” people dependant on them.
The Pastor/Teacher makes a name for himself, a reputation, BUT…
**Humans now looks to humans** for learning, for revelation, and NOT to Jesus. 🙁
Very few today teach – Hear from Jesus for yourself. Learn from HIM – NOT me.
And teach as Jesus taught – in the streets – healing the sick – casting out demons…
Proclaiming the Kingdom of God. The rule, reign, and dominion of God.
Are teachers just to pass along information? Or, the skills needed to hear from Jesus?
Teach a man to hear from Jesus, learn from Jesus, get revelation from Jesus…
You have, “Disciples of Christ.” Learners of Christ. Ekklesia of Christ.
Now Jesus can feed, lead, and teach them – daily… forever… Eternity…
Much agreement with Paul saying – "imitate me as I imitate Christ."
Jesus, as man, learned directly from God – Revelation. Jn 8:28, Jn 5:30, Jn 5:19.
Paul, imatated Christ, learning directly from God – Revelation. Ga 1:11-12, Ga 1:16.
Peter, imatated Christ, learning directly from God. Revelation. Mt 16:17.
Jesus taught, God will teach you. – Jn 6:45, Jn 14:26, Jn 16:13.
John, imatated Christ, and taught, God will teach you. – 1 Jn 2:20, 1 Jn 2:26-27,
Paul, imatated Christ, and taught, God will teach you. Eph 4:21, 1 Thes 4:9.
“What” were the “teachers” Paul talked about supposed to teach?
Did they just give the people already chewed on fish? Their revelation? Or…
The – I believes – of a denomination? What they learned in seminary?
The five points of Calvin? Lots of other stuff – NOT found in the Bible?
Or, did they teach, what Jesus taught, get it yourself from Jesus? And how to get it?
I don’t see Paul having any thoughts about once a week…
Pastors – in Pulpits – Preaching – to People – in Pews.
Then a week goes by and most has been forgotten. If even heard. 😉
Is that “How” Jesus taught? Wasn’t He “daily” with “His Disciples?”
If you’re being equipped for the ministry? Or, equipping someone for ministry?
Wouldn’t it be important to, hear and learn from Jesus, directly, NOW?
Wouldn’t it be important to, be led by the Spirit of God, directly, NOW?
Seems to me a “Disciple of Christ” can hear His Voice and learn directly from Jesus.
A., lots of agreement in what you say. All of that stuff is part of the DNA of what we're doing, and exactly what I'm talking about when I say "making disciples" and "planting churches."
And it's exactly what we are attempting to do in our network of communities. We're learning a lot as we go!