Christian Workman Studies in Theology: A Discipleship Program
When should a discipleship program be started?
1. As soon as the pastor and his congregation recognize this as a vital part of God's master plan for growth and outreach.
2. As soon as the pastor realizes his need for biblically-trained helpers in the gospel ministry.
3. As soon as the congregation senses the absolute priority of self-propagation in starting other churches (not mere "cell groups") under the
leadership of mature, godly and theologically-trained men.
Why should every New Testament church have its own intensive, long-term discipleship program?
1. The local church is the (only) God-revealed institution for "teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you" (Matt. 28:20).
2. In the early church era there were no para-church training programs such as Bible colleges and theological seminaries. Yet there seemed to be no
lack of godly, mature, biblically knowledgeable pastors. Today, such institutions cannot supply this desperate need. Local churches are therefore
failing to fulfill their God-intended priorities.
3. No local church can "fully equip" the "man of God" for ministry (2 Tim. 3:17) by sending him somewhere else for this basic training.
4. The most important function of a pastor is not outreach, administration, fundraising or music, but teaching "the whole counsel of God" (Acts 20:27).
Thus, "the 2 Tim. 2:2 principle" applies especially to pastors.
5. Instead of being far removed from its proper base of operations, a local church-based discipleship program provides opportunities for spiritual
health and growth within the local church where the student will be better known, loved, confronted and prayed for. As he learns God's Word
systematically, he can more effectively learn to implement biblical teachings through various levels of service within the local church and the
community where God has placed him.
1. As soon as the pastor and his congregation recognize this as a vital part of God's master plan for growth and outreach.
2. As soon as the pastor realizes his need for biblically-trained helpers in the gospel ministry.
3. As soon as the congregation senses the absolute priority of self-propagation in starting other churches (not mere "cell groups") under the
leadership of mature, godly and theologically-trained men.
Why should every New Testament church have its own intensive, long-term discipleship program?
1. The local church is the (only) God-revealed institution for "teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you" (Matt. 28:20).
2. In the early church era there were no para-church training programs such as Bible colleges and theological seminaries. Yet there seemed to be no
lack of godly, mature, biblically knowledgeable pastors. Today, such institutions cannot supply this desperate need. Local churches are therefore
failing to fulfill their God-intended priorities.
3. No local church can "fully equip" the "man of God" for ministry (2 Tim. 3:17) by sending him somewhere else for this basic training.
4. The most important function of a pastor is not outreach, administration, fundraising or music, but teaching "the whole counsel of God" (Acts 20:27).
Thus, "the 2 Tim. 2:2 principle" applies especially to pastors.
5. Instead of being far removed from its proper base of operations, a local church-based discipleship program provides opportunities for spiritual
health and growth within the local church where the student will be better known, loved, confronted and prayed for. As he learns God's Word
systematically, he can more effectively learn to implement biblical teachings through various levels of service within the local church and the
community where God has placed him.