In an important book called DISCIPLESHIP THAT FITS by Bobby Harrington and Alex Abaslom the authors distil three key point about discipleship and spiritual growth

HERE THEY ARE  

1. GOD DISCIPLES US
2. GOD DISCIPLES US THROUGH RELATIONSHIPS
3. GOD DISCIPLES US THROUGH RELATIONSHIPS DIFFERENTLY IN DIFFERENT RELATIONAL CONTEXTS (ie different sized groups)

What they are saying is that in order to grow in discipleship we need to be connected in different sized groups with people as each sized group has a different function. Maybe its easiest to explain this by looking at how Jesus discipled people relationally in different sized groups

There were times when Jesus discipled people through large groups. Crowds came to him and Jesus impacted them through his inspirational and challenging public teaching.

At other times Jesus seemed to have discipled people through medium sized groups maybe 30-40 people.

 Much of his time was spent discipling a small group of 12 who would be the core leadership of His movement.

Then again Jesus sometimes took, just a few people apart to disciple, Peter, James and John. Finally, in the Gospels we see occasions when Jesus had discipleship encounters with people on their own.

Here is a graphic representation of these different-sized groups and what they achieve in discipling people .

The truth is you need to get connected, to get growing. Connected in different sized groups.

NOW HERE IS WHERE WE GET TO WHAT I THINK ARE THE REALLY IMPORTANT IMPLICATIONS

MYTH BUSTING DISCIPLESHIP

These ideas help us to do some myth-busting about discipleship.

 it’s a myth that you can grow as a disciple if you are just involved in one social context, in one size of Christian fellowship.  Probably the most common expression of this myth are people who think that just attending a Sunday worship service is all they need to live as Christian and grow spiritually. However, there are a growing number of people who are saying that Sunday worship services are optional for them and they can be discipled by just meeting with a few people or even by simply meeting with God on their own. We really need to be connected to one another in different-sized groups to be transformed by the Spirit, that is the way God has wired us

That’s why in our current emphasis on growing closer to one another in fellowship are encouraging those of you connected to Westlake to do two simple things to enable you to grow in your faith

Make being in worship on Sundays a priority

Get connected to a Life Group for our 8 week ONE ANOTHER STUDY

If you want to get connected in a life group shoot me an email to james@westlakechurch.com