Recently I read David Garrison’s book on this. It showed me that many of our methods are what we have inherited rather than the Biblical model for growing churches. The focus of Church planting movements is on making disciples. Here are 4 key principles:

1.Make discipling people the main focus

Jesus commanded us to make disciples of all peoples (Mt 28:18-20). Today we focus more on church services, events and programmes that don’t disciple well. So we must focus on creating “Follow-Disciplemaking disciples” i.e. believers who depend on their relationship with Jesus and are committed to obeying Him. These are true disciples. These disciples must be taught how to make other disciples (2 Tim 2:2). Then there is multiplication.

“And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.” (2 Tim 2:2)

2.Church is not a building

Church is the body of Christ, so wherever believers meet in His Name, this is church. So teach everyone how to make disciples in their own homes and at work. They are church. They are to start with their family contacts, as in the Bible model. When Jesus healed the demoniac, he immediately commanded him to tell his testimony to his family:

“Go to your home to your own, and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and what mercy he has shown you.” (Mk 5:19)

Jesus didn’t command us to church plant but to make disciples.

3.Sow and train widely

Sow widely (parable of sower), that is teach every believer to make disciples that are multiplying disciples (2 Tim 2:2). You don’t know who are going to be your best ones, so you teach them all and then you see who obeys the best and produces the fruit. Some will produce 30 or 60 or 100% fruit.

4.Make sure the Gospel message is easily understood

Keep the essential gospel message very simple, that can be passed on by anyone i.e. firstly your testimony and then the message of salvation (Mk 1:15.17). A person’s testimony is very powerful. The Apostle Paul tells his testimony 3 times in Acts. If we complicate things or teach a whole sermon on what is salvation, it will be difficult for every believer to pass on and this hinders the process of making disciples.

Conclusion

It’s time to see church as believers and to start making disciples that also make disciples.

For stories on revivals as a devotional do read my book GRACE OUTPOURINGS: 21 DAYS REVIVAL DEVOTIONAL based on real experiences of revival.

See also 5 WAYS TO GET READY FOR A DIVINE VISITATION.This has a key chapter on how to disciple called, “Get Ready to Disciple”.