Plan for Multiplication

We are looking at how to multiply disciple-makers, and the next point is to plan for multiplication.

 

A typical disciple can complete the ten lessons in Journey in 33 to 45 meetings. The majority of those who complete the 10th lesson in Journey go on to have their own disciple, if they have a shepherd leading their ministry who makes sure the sheep multiply.

 

Some disciples can be approved to have their own disciple after completing lesson 5, or around meeting 20. The shepherd and the discipler would know if the disciple can be approved to do so.

 

They will continue being discipled through Journey, one-on-one, while they are meeting separately, one-on-one with their own new disciple.

 

In planting churches, we have seen new believers grow quickly, and it is amazing what they can accomplish with the Lord’s help.

 

In existing churches, there are so many Christians who have been saved for years who could have several disciples, one-on-one, at different times, and would love to.

 

Can you catch a vision of what a faithful discipler can do?

 

They can witness because they have been trained and provided the tools.

 

They can witness in places where you will never be.

 

They can bring visitors to your ministry that you will never encounter.

​

They can disciple people you will never have time to disciple.

 

They can lead people to Christ whom you will never know.

 

They can teach a class you’ll never have time for.

 

They can care for a new believer, and you can rest knowing those believers are being cared for.

 

They are spiritual fruit that the Bible speaks of.

 

They will train disciples who will reach people you will never reach for Christ.

 

They may be called to other cities—or other countries—to disciple where you will never go.

 

Let’s look again at the multiplication goals. You can see why it is imperative to follow the plan we have been discussing; each element is necessary for multiplication. This is not a new plan, or my plan; it is the original plan.

 

Remember what’s possible with faithfulness:

​

Starting with 10 Disciplers

​

​

​

​

​​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

Starting with 25 Disciplers

​​

​​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​​

​

Starting with 50 Disciplers

​​​​

​

​

​​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​By God’s grace, it is happening.
Multiplication is taking place, the fruit is real, and the results are being measured.

 

Now can see why faithfulness is the key?
Now can see why taking no shortcuts matters?
Now can see why focusing on those who truly want to be discipled is required?And the Lord would only give a plan that would accomplish what He wanted; to build the tower or to win the war.

 

The Bible says, … and daily in the temple and in every house, they cease not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.

 

Acts 5:42Acts 6, disciples began to multiply, and there was "murmuring" in the church because of the church's amazing growth. They reorganized and kept the Word of God in its first place.

 

The result? In Acts 6:7, disciples multiply greatly, and the momentum was so strong that even Jewish Rabbis were coming to Christ.

 

When disciple-makers are emerging in the church, doors open in places, cities and countries you wouldn’t think possible, because when a Christian knows how to disciple one-on-one, God can use them anywhere in the world.

 

The Lord can lead you to plant churches from your ministry or help other churches that request your help to begin their discipleship ministry.

​

If you carefully follow the procedures in the Journey discipleship lessons, avoid shortcuts and leave nothing out, and remember that the purpose is to train disciple-makers, you can look forward to…Winning more people to Christ
Caring for new and young Believers
Multiplying disciple-makers
Needing more outreach
Helping other churches start their one-on-one discipleship ministry
Training ministers in your own ministry
Sending missionaries to win, disciple, and plant churches
Planting churches from your church directly

 

In other words, you will have a first-century ministry.So, the question is, can you see it by faith?

 

Can you catch a vision of multiplication?

 

Can you see that you are also the Lord’s disciple?

 

Can you see that the greatest resource for any ministry is the people in the pew every Sunday?

 

In conclusion, the way to multiply disciple-makers in your ministry is to have a biblical shepherd as the pastor, be a first-century ministry, start right, use effective discipleship lessons, disciple one-on-one, plan for some to drop out, and plan for multiplication.

 

I think the Christians I envy the most are those who were saved in one of our disciple-multiplying churches. They've been discipled and have their own disciples, and every week they hear the Word of God at a church meeting, and that's all they know.

 

They don’t know about programs, curriculum, or the world’s largest pizza. They just see their ministry grow month after month and know the Word of God and God personally.

 

This is the only Christian life they have ever known—simple, biblical, and first-century.

 

John Honeycutt, Church Planter

 

Visit How To Start Journey for the next step.