STOP:  If you haven't read the page titled DMM please go start there.

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Deep down we all know that God has commanded us to be involved in discipleship (Mathew 28:16-20), but for many starting that task is overwhelming. It can be like knowing we should cook good health meals for our kids.  We know what we should do, but either because of lack of time, energy, or knowhow we choose to take our families out to have others cook for them at McDonalds instead.  For many that is what discipleship looks like, we say to our friends "you should come to church with me" and then expect the pastor or elders to "disciple" them into maturity of the faith.  This is not the plan of Jesus.  He calls us all priests (1 Peter 2:9-10), and expects us all to be involved in the work of the ministry.

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In 2 Timothy 2:2 we see Paul list 4 generations of believers, everyone of them was called and commissioned to carry the Good News and make disciples... that list extends down to you today.  But he then warns us in verse 3 that it will require perseverance.  The road will not be easy, but it is one we must travel if we hope to see Him redeem out communities.

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So what we are inviting you to through this training is an invitation to live out the words of Jesus "Follow me, and I will turn you into fishers of people." (Mathew 4:19 NET Bible). Jesus invited His disciples to live life with him, to learn the rhythms of obedience and the techniques of how to catch men and make them disciples.   

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The problem with traditional discipleship models is that it centers on "teaching."

Teaching is far different from training.  Teaching implies that we sit in a classroom and take lots of notes while the expert imparts his or her knowledge on the subject. We not only believe that this is ineffective in making disciples, we think Jesus showed us a better way.  In the Great Commission He commanded us to teach others to OBEY His teaching. Another way to say this is "Train them to follow all the things I have taught you."

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So what does training look like?

M.A.W.L.

Model, Assist, Watch, Launch

Our goal is to come alongside of you and begin where you are at.  We Model what this life of obedience to Jesus looks like for you.  Afterward we try to Assist you in making necessary life changes.  We do this through weekly challenges and encouragement as you begin to alter your routines into a life of active discipleship.  You will also be given many opportunities to assist us, both in leading the discipleship group, and also in talking to others who need the Good News. As we turn the rains over to you we will be here to Watch and give practical suggestions along the way. Then eventually our hope is that you will Launch out into your own ministry and we will move onto the next disciple, entrusting you with the work of ministry in your community.  (Although that can sound scary, we promise it is possible, and it won't take a degree from a seminary, for you to be qualified. Jesus used fishermen, and common laborers to transformed the entire world 2000 years ago.) As you begin to launch your own discipleship groups we consider you fully trained and equipped for the work of ministry, and our role will turn into more of a coach and friend. There will still be lots of ongoing talks because life happens and there will always be questions that come up later. So although we might not be meeting regularly we maintain fellowship with you and seek to see you continue being successful in your life and ministry.  If you don't thrive in ministry we have failed in our role to fully equip you.

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These four phases are described in the video below.