Two Strategies for Discipleship
As followers of Jesus, we know what we are commissioned to do: go and make disciples (Mt. 28:19-20). However, though we know what to do, it isn’t always as easy to know how to actually do it. While there are many ways to make disciples - and each will vary according to how the Spirit leads you - let me pass on two specific strategies I’ve seen the church use here in Ukraine. Within the discipleship process, these strategies focus on one of the earlier steps: invitation.
Invitation simply means inviting others into our lives to share in the experience of knowing Christ. Invitation is more of an attitude/lifestyle than a set of pre-defined actions; it’s about saying “hey, would you like to share life with me?” When we are inviting, rather than going about relationships with an agenda (“they need to make a confession for Christ!” or “they need to attend my church!”) and trying to force things to happen (and then feeling bad when they don’t), we need to be prayerful. We can pray that God will not only bring forth opportunities to invite others into relationship with Him, but that He will also help us be patiently prepared for those opportunities, waiting for them to come in His way and His timing. Living a life of invitation means having open hands; we let go of our plans and what/how/when we want something to happen, and instead move forward ready to embrace whatever opportunities God has already planned.
Strategy #1 - MASTERCLASSES
Teens (and leaders) playing a round of NINJA after their kickboxing/totalfit masterclass.
Done in small numbers, masterclasses are a COVID-sensitive way to connect members of the church with members of the community. A master class we have been doing here has been a kickboxing/totalfit class in the nearby village - Telepone. So far we have about 10 teens coming regularly. In addition to teaching kickboxing/totalfit (there is a fitness instructor who leads this - not me!!), we play sports together and include a time where we have snacks and a Bible story. In addition to this newer class in Telepone, there has been another totalfit class going on in our city, Kamenka. From this class, the instructor, Yura, was able to talk to the boys who came enough to find out that two were interested in reading the Bible with him, as they were curious about what it had to say. Both of those boys continue to read the Bible with Yura and have also been helping to lead the classes in the nearby village.
This is a picture of Maxim, one of the boys Yura (the totalfit instructor) has discipled, as he gives a lift to one of the boys from Telepone.
This is just one example of a masterclass, but the types of masterclasses you can have are almost endless. Any skill you have - cooking, dancing, fixing cars, playing an instrument, making balloon animals, computer coding, etc. can be something you cannot only teach, but something you can use to connect with people in your community you might not otherwise connect with. When you feel that God has put something on your heart to lead as a master class, you can use word-of-mouth or social media as a way to get your first students.
When using a masterclass as a tool for discipleship, I emphasize the importance of invitation. You are not just inviting people to a class, but to YOU. And by getting closer to you, whether they realize it or not, the students will naturally be getting closer to Jesus (assuming your are in fellowship with Him). Essentially, through inviting these students into your class and your life, you are doing the groundwork of creating a trusting relationship where seeds of the gospel can be sown. As you abide in Christ, He will work through you in the lives of those you’ve invited into your life with Him.
Strategy #2 - COMMUNITY FESTIVALS
Like the masterclass strategy, this next strategy also helps facilitate the invitation phase of discipleship. Unlike the first strategy, however, which can be led by one or two people alone, this next strategy will involve a large team working together. Once you have a team established (anywhere from 10 - 40 people, usually), you are ready for this strategy: the community festival.
The festivals done here usually have 8-12 different activities going on at once. Each activity is a station, and the stations are laid out in a semi-circle. Here are some examples of stations: face painting, a bounce house, balloon animals, a food station, a balloon darts game station, etc. Almost anything will work for a station that involves fun, food and/or creativity! While these stations are going on, people from the church mingle with the people from the community and enjoy fun games together. There is also an emcee that will occasionally facilitate group games inside the semi-circle, such as dancing, hokey-pokey (for children), Simon Says, etc. The purpose of the emcee and these games is to bring everyone from participating as individuals (enjoying each station separately) to participating as an organized group, doing things together. In addition to providing something fun for your community, all the interactions provide a good place to get to know people, though members of your team will have to be intentional, watchful and prayerful for this to happen.
While these festivals are a good chance for those who follow Jesus to connect with the community, it is key that you use the event to promote any masterclasses members of your church might be having. For example, if someone would like to do a painting masterclass, they can lead a painting activity at one of the stations and then invite those who enjoyed it to sign up for their class. That way, these festivals will not only provide a one-time chance to meet people, but also invitations into further connections.
Having participated in several masterclasses and several festivals so far, I am definitely excited about using these strategies! I’ve seen them working here and I’d be excited to see these strategies at work in other corners of the world in addition to Ukraine.
If you’d like more info about either strategy, please let me know! (kroth@candokidsinternational.org)