E. Disciple Making Tools for Newborns: Groups that play and make friends are helpful. Groups need to be relational rather than task oriented, and encourage relational maturity and responsibility in their participants (UMM, UMW). Groups that cause people to take sides, judge others or discourage diversity or differentiation are particularly harmful.
G. Bridging: Newborns are primarily found at worship and fellowship activities. Receiving nurture is their goal. People move from newborn to child level by showing interest in becoming more involved. As safety, security and belonging needs are met, curiosity emerges. Research shows that only 17% of church attenders participate in Sunday School, bible study or any learning event outside of worship.[2]
HOMEWORK Discussion Questions:
4.13 Who do you know at this stage?
4.14 What is your church doing with people at this stage?
4.15 What church problems arise with people this stage?
4.16 How can you help these people move onward?
4.17 What would a church designed entirely for people at this stage be like? Know one?
QUOTE [1]
NOTE
DISCERNMENT QUESTIONS
RESOURCES
[1] The quote is a selection from David O. Kueker’s Fuller Seminary Doctor of Ministry project submitted in September, 2007, entitled Diagnosis, Dialogue, and Decision: A Threefold Process of Revitalization For the Illinois Great Rivers Conference.
It is shared here in recognition of its 12th Anniversary along with comments to update and provide perspective on the material. The original project was a Training Manual/Study Guide of three Seminars supported by three chapters of research and an Introduction. The material is available for download at www.disciplewalk.com/Resources.html. In 2009 it was provided for purchase as a softcover book entitled Designing Discipleship Systems: Christian Disciple Making For Any Size Church, Any Theology through CreateSpace.com.
[2][3] [4][5] [6][7] [8]
All Scripture quotations are from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1946, 1952, and 1971 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Please review the page How and Why We Use Quotes.
[1]Cf. Greg Ogden, Transforming Discipleship: Making Disciples A Few At A Time (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2003), 59-98.
[2]George Barna, quoted in Ogden, Transforming Discipleship, 26.