Barb's Bits - From Bible Studies to Disciple Making

The Shift that Changed everything for me!

For many years, I faithfully attended Bible Studies.  I filled notebooks, underlined verses, participated in discussions, and listened to very gifted teachers.  I learned scripture, history, context, memorization, and life application.  God used these seasons in my life to deepen my knowledge, my understanding, to strengthen my confidence and relationship with Holy Spirit.

Over time, I began to sense Holy Spirit telling me, “There is more”.  I prayed for clarification and confirmation of His “there is more.”  After leading a Bible study in my neighborhood and facilitating in three on-going women’s classes in our church, I came to the realization that Bible Study is essential, but scripture was never meant to stop at knowledge gained. James tells us in James 1:22, “Don’t merely listen to the Word, and so deceive yourselves.  Do what it says.”  Bible Study is not the finish line, instead; it is our starting point!

Several years ago, our senior minister unveiled a new mission for our church, “Go, Sow, Grow”.  Matthew 28:18-20.  I thought the Great Commission was a command, from Jesus, meant for missionaries, pastors, and/or those “called” to the ministry. It was a couple of years later, that in a private moment of prayer regarding Jesus telling us to “Go, make disciples, I understood teach them to "Obey all My commands”.  The Great Commission, yes, I finally got it.  Holy Spirit kept telling me, “There is more”.  Our Risen Jesus gives all disciples the command to continue His mission after He ascended to Heaven. Holy Spirit helped me understand that Jesus wasn’t making a suggestion.  It wasn’t optional.  It was a command for me to be “on mission” now and forever.

Bible Study classes are valuable, but; they were never meant to be the “finish line”.  Hebrews 4:12, James 1:2.  I asked myself, “Am I simply content that my job is to consume, to learn and to align with scripture, pray, volunteer” OR “Is it to live out my life through the commission Jesus gave His Church?”  Suddenly, the Great Commission became very personal!

In Matthew 4:19, Jesus called men to “come, follow Me.”  He discipled people through shared life—by walking, talking, correcting, encouraging and sending them out.  My life focus has now shifted, thanks to Holy Spirit.  I moved towards life-on-life disciple making.  For me, this shift meant moving from comfort and consumption to deeper obedience and action.  Ouch! 

As for my journey, I now meet with women in my neighborhood to strengthen their resolve to become disciple makers.  With the help of two christian sisters, we created and facilitate a group of potential disciple makers in our church, equipping them by strengthening their relationship with Holy Spirit, helping them in writing their personal stories with Jesus, assisting them in defending their faith, and discipling in small groups called “tricords.”  (See Ecclesiastes 4:12) As a result, we are on mission everywhere we go—grocery shopping, dog park, pot lucks with neighbors, cleaners, doctor appointments, shopping trips, playing cards, doing sports, socializing, etc.  It’s intentional disciple making happening in the ordinary rhythms of my life.

I ask you now, “Is Holy Spirit stirring your heart to move beyond learning into deeper obedience, placing your life with another life, walking with them in authenticity and alignment with Jesus?  Women Disciple Making ministry exists to help women obey and execute the Great Commission.  We gather tools.  We practice.  We go out and we come back.  Our goal is to multiply followers of Jesus Christ! 

God blesses this work by bringing me two partners, Lynn and Jennifer, who facilitate our classes, contribute to the website and model disciple making. We thank you for visiting this website, Womendisciplemakers.net.  Please contact us with your questions, get to know us! Leave a note.  Leave a message.  Let us help you build your strand of three – your very own Tricord. Become a disciple maker!

2 Timothy 2:2. “The things you have heard me say…entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to share with others.”