Welcome to
By Liz Linssen
Warm up question:
 How
would you describe the current state
of the church in Wales?
Some facts about Wales

Wales is the most secular nation in the United
Kingdom with 78% of the population either dechurched or un-churched and, demographically,
the proportion of churchgoers increasing with age.
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There has been a sharp increase of those professing
“no religion”, from 14.8% to 25.1%, a stark picture of
a striking move away from Christianity towards
unbelief. That’s one quarter of the English and
Welsh population who claim to have no religion,
with the highest proportion found in Wales.
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Conversely, there was an increase in all other main
religions, with Muslims increasing the most from 3%
to 4.8% in 2011.
Church denomination stats
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The Church in Wales Membership and Finances
Report for 2012 found that Easter attendees, plus
average Sunday attendance and Electoral Roll
membership have fallen close to 50% in the last
twenty years.
The greatest number of church closures between
2005 and 2010 occurred in more traditional
denominations: Methodist (-332), Presbyterian (243) and Anglican (-204).
The highest numbers of churches opening were
found among smaller denominations (1417),
Pentecostals (664) and new churches (250).
Methodist survey
What enables and what inhibits the
making and nurturing of disciples and
discipleship in local churches?

Historic lack of focus on discipleship, which only then further
inhibits discipleship.

There is little engagement or understanding of the subject.
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Focus is solely on Sunday worship attendance, participating in
meetings and maintaining buildings.
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The unstructured style of the preaching plan among itinerant
ministers inhibits spiritual growth and discipleship.
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Good small groups were identified as playing a crucial role in
discipleship.
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The role of Local Preachers was consistently identified as
important.
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Although change is largely initiated by the minister, strong
churches grow and encourage leaders so that the minister
ultimately fills the role of visionary leader rather than manager.
“The fact that the Church is at best flatlining
in its numbers is a sign that we have not
adequately discipled the Church to live out
and speak out the gospel.”
Neath Port Talbot
These statistics all reflect the current
economic and contextual challenges
faced by church leaders in this area as we
grapple with the problem of reversing the
decline of Christianity in South Wales.
Discuss
1.
2.
How do these statistics make you feel
about the current condition of the
church in Wales?
What do you think are the biggest
challenges in discipling new believers
and encouraging spiritual growth in
South Wales?
Opinions of Secularists
1.
“[T]he culture of Christianity has gone in the
Britain of the new millennium. Britain is
showing the world how religion as we have
known it can die.” (Callum G. Brown)
1.
“There is a move against organized religion –
people still have their spiritual side but there is
less trust in organized religion than there was.”
(Terry Sanderson, president of National Secular Society)
Is the Church truly terminal?
Christianity is not necessarily on an
irreversible slide to extinction as secularists
claim, as signs of resurrection can be found
in surprising areas.
Growing churches
1.
When you think of growing a church,
what do you imagine?
Growing churches
1.
2.
When you think of growing a church,
what do you imagine?
Do increased numbers alone constitute
the whole picture of Church growth?
Jim Collins
“The greatest leaders do seek growth –
growth in performance, growth in distinctive
impact, growth in creativity, growth in
people – but they do not succumb to
growth that undermines long-term value.
And they certainly do not confuse growth
with excellence. Big does not equal great,
and great does not equal big.”
We must be careful we do not neglect
focusing on other important areas of
growth, and learn how to take new
believers from new birth in Christ to maturity.
It’s about the people, not just the numbers.
Discuss
1.
2.
3.
Has anything you heard today surprised
you?
What does a healthy, growing church
look like in your opinion?
Do you know of a growing church?
What do you think they are doing right
to encourage this growth?
Book Recommendation:
Session 2 – Healthy Churches,
Healthy Disciples
Matthew 28:18-20
Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All
authority in heaven and on earth has been
given to me. Therefore go and make
disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the
name of the Father and of the Son and of
the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey
everything l have commanded you. And
surely l am with you always, to the very end
of the age.’
Jesus Christ did not commission these
followers to make converts to the Christian
faith only, but to make disciples; to baptise
and instruct new believers in the knowledge
of and obedience to Christ’s teachings.
But what exactly is a disciple?
Luke 14
26 ‘If anyone comes to me and does not hate
father and mother, wife and children, brothers
and sisters – yes, even their own life – such a
person cannot be my disciple. 27 And
whoever does not carry their cross and follow
me cannot be my disciple.
Luke 14
26 ‘If anyone comes to me and does not hate
father and mother, wife and children, brothers
and sisters – yes, even their own life – such a
person cannot be my disciple. 27 And
whoever does not carry their cross and follow
me cannot be my disciple.
33 In the same way, those of you who do not
give up everything you have cannot be my
disciples.
Luke 14:28-33
28 ‘Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t
you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you
have enough money to complete it? 29 For if you lay
the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone
who sees it will ridicule you, 30 saying, “This person
began to build and wasn’t able to finish.”
31 ‘Or suppose a king is about to go to war against
another king. Won’t he first sit down and consider
whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose
the one coming against him with twenty thousand?
32 If he is not able, he will send a delegation while
the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of
peace. 33 In the same way, those of you who do not
give up everything you have cannot be my disciples.
Jesus Christ employed these illustrations to
demonstrate his disapproval of impulsive
and ill-considered discipleship.
We need to emphasise to those we are
discipling that saving faith is more than just
understanding the facts of the gospel. It is
inseparable from repentance, submission,
and a supernatural eagerness to obey
Question
How then does one make disciples of Christ
like these?
The International Consultation on
Discipleship
The church is:
“…marked by a paradox of growth without
depth” and many converts to Christianity
throughout the world fall away from the
faith.”
How then do we make true
disciples of Christ?
EA Time for Discipleship? Report
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Less than one third of those Evangelical
Christians surveyed said they set aside a
substantial period of time for daily prayer
Only 11% praying more than three hours per
week.
In addition, 50.5% of Christians said they engage
with the Bible daily
Only 40% agree that their church does very well
in discipling new believers (a mere 8% in strong
agreement).
Furthermore, only 26% feel they have been well
equipped to witness and share their faith
Only 31% feel that that they had a good early
experience in being taught good habits and
disciplines for their prayer lives.
EA Conference, Lucy Peppiatt:
“There appears to be a corporate sense
that the church has failed in some way in
this area, and many are concerned that we
recapture the truth that discipleship is at the
heart of the gospel.”
Alan Hirsch
“The Church in the West has largely forgotten
the art of disciple-making… As a result, we
have a rather anemic cultural Christianity
highly susceptible to the lures of
consumerism.
In our desire to be seeker-friendly and
attractional, we have largely abandoned the
vigorous kind of discipleship that
characterised early Christianity and every
significant Jesus movement since.”
This felt discipleship crisis calls for a reexamination of the processes and
importance of discipleship if the Church is
to prosper and see growth in the coming
decades.
Question
Would reversing the lack of discipleship and
investment in people’s spiritual growth have
the power to reverse declining Christianity
and churches in Wales?
Dallas Willard
He believes that most problems in
contemporary Western churches can be
explained by the fact that members have
never decided to follow Christ as Lord in the
first place.
“For at least several decades the churches
of the Western world have not made
discipleship a condition of being a Christian.
One is not required to be, or to intend to
be, a disciple in order to become a
Christian, and one may remain a Christian
without any signs of progress toward or in
discipleship.”
The crux of the matter lies at what is going
on inside the Church, in the spiritual lives of
its members.
“Now, some might be shocked to hear that
what the ‘church’ – the disciples gathered –
really needs is not more people, more money,
better buildings or programs, more education,
or more prestige. Christ’s gathered people, the
church, has always been at its best when it
had little or none of these. All it needs to fulfill
Christ’s purposes on earth in the quality of life
he makes real in the life of his disciples.”
If leaders are to grow churches in Wales, the
focus then needs to be placed on growing
the people within, on making obedient
disciples of Jesus Christ.
Three important aspects of
church growth
1.
2.
3.
Numerical growth
Spiritual growth
Vitality growth (impact on community)
The Fresh Expression movement seems to be
successful in increasing numerical growth,
but this is not automatically leading to the
formation of disciples.
Ephesians 2:10
For we are God’s handiwork, created in
Christ Jesus to do good works, which God
prepared in advance for us to do.
Session 3
Recovering the
Great Commission
Warm up
1.
2.
What can happen to a believer over
time if he or she hasn’t been taught how
to develop their relationship with God?
Do you know anyone who has
backslidden from God? What were the
reasons you think why that happened?
Matthew 28:18-20
“Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All
authority in heaven and on earth has been
given to me. Therefore go and make
disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the
name of the Father and of the Son and of
the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey
everything l have commanded you. And
surely l am with you always, to the very end
of the age.‘
Discuss
1.
2.
Do you feel that you received adequate
discipleship from another believer when
you first became a Christian? Please
share your experience.
How did you grow as a Christian when
you were first saved? Where there any
significant people or events that helped
you grow?
 “Anyone
who does not carry his cross and
follow me cannot be my disciple.” (Luke
14:27)
 “Anyone
who does not take his cross and
follow me is not worthy of me.” (Matthew
10:38)
“Any of you who does not give up everything
he has cannot be my disciple.” (Luke 14:33)
The example of Paul
 “strengthening
the disciples and encouraging
them to remain true to the faith.” (Acts 14:22)
The example of Paul
 “strengthening
the disciples and encouraging
them to remain true to the faith.” (Acts 14:22)
 “Let us go back and visit the brothers in all the
towns where we preached the Word of the
Lord, and see how they are doing” (Acts
15:36).
The example of Paul
 “strengthening
the disciples and encouraging
them to remain true to the faith.” (Acts 14:22)
 “Let us go back and visit the brothers in all the
towns where we preached the Word of the
Lord, and see how they are doing” (Acts
15:36).
 “After spending some time in Antioch, Paul set
out from there and travelled from place to
place throughout the region of Galatia and
Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples” (Acts
18:23).
The example of Paul
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“strengthening the disciples and encouraging them
to remain true to the faith.” (Acts 14:22)
“Let us go back and visit the brothers in all the towns
where we preached the Word of the Lord, and see
how they are doing” (Acts 15:36).
“After spending some time in Antioch, Paul set out
from there and travelled from place to place
throughout the region of Galatia and Phrygia,
strengthening all the disciples” (Acts 18:23).
“We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching
everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present
everyone perfect in Christ. To this end I labour,
struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully
works in me.” (Colossians 1:28-29)
Colossians 1:9-10
So we have not stopped praying for you since
we first heard about you. We ask God to give
you complete knowledge of his will and to give
you spiritual wisdom and understanding. Then
the way you live will always honour and please
the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind
of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you
learn to know God better and better.
Some suggestions to encourage
fellowship with Christ
1.
2.
3.
4.
Tell him why you yourself have fellowship with
Christ daily.
Share some blessings you have received from
your own time with the Lord.
Get him into fellowship with others who are
spending daily time with the Lord.
Pray for your disciple
Ways to encourage consistent faith and
fellowship with God
1.
2.
3.
Give him small, bite-sized assignments in the
Word that you know will be a blessing to him.
Many have found devotional books, which
provide daily Bible readings, helpful.
Have a regular quiet time with him. Suggest you
get together for a brief time of Bible reading and
prayer. Go to his home or meet in a cafe, and
spend a little time with the Lord together. Since
these things are more easily caught than taught,
he will learn form you as he experiences it with
you.
Check up on him and encourage him
periodically.
Session 4
Multiplication Through Mentoring
So what exactly is mentoring?
“Mentoring is a relational process [in which a]
mentor, who knows or who has experienced
something… transfers that something (resources of
wisdom, information, experience, confidence, insight
etc.) to a mentoree, at an appropriate time and
manner, so that it facilitates development or
empowerment.”
Paul Stanley and Robert Clinton (Connecting)
“Defining mentoring is sort of tough, but describing it
is pretty easy. It’s like having an uncle that cares for
you for a lifetime, and wants to see you do well. He’s
not your competitor; he’s there to support you, not to
compete with you or discourage you. He’s not your
critic as much as he is your cheerleader.”
Bobb Biehl (1993 Promise Keepers workshop)
A mentor is someone who is committed to
helping another person grow and realise
their goals.
Some practical examples of what a
mentor does
A
source of information
 Provides wisdom
 Promotes skills and specific behaviours
 Provides feedback
 Coaches
 Someone to turn to
 Helps devise plans
Qualities of a Mentor
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Encouragement
Self-discipline
Gentleness
Affection
Strong communication
Servant hood
Godliness
1 Thessalonians 2:7-12
“But we were gentle among you, like a mother caring
for her little children. We loved you so much that we
were delighted in share with you not only the gospel
of God but our lives as well, because you had
become so dear to us. Surely your remember,
brothers, our toil and hardship; we worked night and
day in order not to be a burden to anyone while we
preached the gospel of God to you. You are
witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous and
blameless we were among you who believed. For
you know that we dealt with each of you as a father
deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting,
and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls
you into his kingdom and glory.”
Servanthood
Jesus showed us what it means to serve when
He washed the feet of His disciples (John 13:117), setting us an example for us to follow. He
was the ideal mentor and leader. Although He
had the right to exert authority over His disciples,
He continually served them and allowed them
to be a part of His work. He was humble, willing
to make sacrifices and was the ultimate servant
leader.
Session 5
Make a Difference,
Make a Small Group
Acts 2:42-47
42 All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’
teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals
(including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.
43 A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the
apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders.
44 And all the believers met together in one place and
shared everything they had. 45 They sold their property
and possessions and shared the money with those in
need. 46 They worshiped together at the Temple each
day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared
their meals with great joy and generosity— 47 all the
while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the
people. And each day the Lord added to their
fellowship those who were being saved.
Jesus taught that loving unity among God’s
people is powerful
Andy Stanley
“…creating environments where authentic
community can take place. Building
relational, transforming communities where
people are experiencing oneness with God
and oneness with one another. Creating
communities that are so satisfying and so
compelling that they create thirst and
desire in a watching world.”
John Ortberg
What is striking is that the Fall has not yet occurred.
There is no sin, no disobedience, nothing to mar the
relationship between God and man. The human
being is in a state of perfect intimacy with God.
Each word he and God speak with each other is
filled with closeness and joy; he walks with God in
the garden in the cool of the day. He is known and
loved to the core of his being by his omniscient, lovefilled Creator. Yet the word God uses to describe him
is ‘alone.’ And God says this aloneness is ‘not good.’
Discuss
If someone said to you that Christians don’t
need to go to church, how would you
answer?
1 Corinthians 3:1-3
“Brothers, I could not address you as
spiritual but as worldly – mere infants in
Christ. I gave you milk, not solid food, for
you were not ready for it. Indeed, you are
still not ready. You are still worldly. For since
there is jealously and quarrelling among
you, are you not worldly? Are you not
acting like mere men?”
How to foster an environment of change
1.
Plan your small group time
How to foster an environment of change
1.
2.
Plan your small group time
Bible Study
How to foster an environment of change
1.
2.
3.
Plan your small group time
Bible Study
Listen well
How to foster an environment of change
1.
2.
3.
4.
Plan your small group time
Bible Study
Listen well
Prayer
How to foster an environment of change
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Plan your small group time
Bible Study
Listen well
Prayer
Mirror time (confrontation)
Discuss

1. From the topics that we’ve covered so far today,
what do you think you’ll find the most challenging?

2. What can you do if your group members are not
really engaging in a discussion?

3. What would you do if someone in your group
shared something with you that you really didn’t know
how to handle and yet asked you to not tell anyone
else?
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4. What would you do if someone in your group
asked you a question on the Bible or an ethical
question, but you didn’t know how to answer?
Warm up
What kind of difficulties do you think you
may encounter in your small group?