Are We Making Disciples?
Are you aware that there is a key, missing component in many of our churches’ efforts to make disciples that is simple to encourage, biblically modeled, and corresponds with increased giving, intentional discipling of others, and more vigorous evangelism?
Of course, God is doing amazing work in churches across the province. We see creative outreach, congregations serving their communities, new church plants, and much more. Yet the number one task commanded by Jesus is to make disciples. Are we actively making disciples in our congregations?
We start new programs, develop vibrant Sunday Schools, host special events, and grow our congregations in size. Yet, how many of our churches can honestly say that they have created a culture of disciple-making? How many people in our churches regularly read the Bible with another person and discuss its impact on their lives?
There is truth to the idea that we are discipling in the pew when we preach, and in the classroom when we teach. Still, the most powerful and effective discipleship is relational, intentional, and personal. It is what we call generational discipleship, where we make disciples who disciple others. Self-generating discipleship carries over from one generation to the next.
Discipleship.org, in partnership with Exponential, published the largest study to date on disciple-making culture in US churches. Unfortunately, the study's primary finding was that only 5% of churches are reproducing disciples.
What else does research tell us?
According to the Center for Bible Engagement, people who read the Bible 4 times or more per week have statistically significant positive outcomes in both their quality of life and their ministry to others. Specifically, a person engaged in the Bible has significantly higher odds of:
Giving financially to the church +416%
Discipling others +231%
Sharing their faith with others +228%
If our congregations were filled with people engaged with scripture at this level, the church would be booming! Yet reality paints a different picture.
Only 10 percent of Americans read the Bible daily.
Forty percent of Protestant churchgoers read the Bible on their own either weekly
What if we could increase scripture engagement through a simple model of relational discipleship that works across generations and beyond the doors of the church?
Engage Discipleship exists to equip believers, families, and churches with the tools, training, and resources needed to effectively engage others with the Bible. We envision a Church where every member is being discipled and is discipling others. It’s a big dream, but we believe the church desperately needs this today.