The Relational Disciple: How God Uses Community to Shape Followers of Jesus

Jesus lived with His disciples for three years and taught them life lessons. He molded and shaped them through community. He traveled with them and taught them as they journeyed. After three years, Jesus told them to go and do likewise (Matthew 281820). Christs way of discipleship was through relationships. The early church also made relational disciples. Like Jesus, they focused on the oneanothers of Scripture. They took the commands of Christ literally when he told them to love one another, serve oneanother and care for one another. In fact, Jesus told His disciples that as a result of the love they practiced to one another, the world would believe in His existence (John 17). We in the west, on the other hand, prepare loneranger disciples based on our culture of individualism. We do things alone. Its part of our heritage. Over the years, Ive written many books on small group ministry. Ive written about the importance of developing harvest workers through cells. Yet, I havent specifically written about the need for shaping those disciples as relational disciples. Community is the crying need for those living in the west in the 21st century. So many are lonely, isolated and in need of loving relationships. This book will guide believers to take the commands of Christ seriously and allow God to develop them through community. I will cover the themes of New Testament Community what the Bible says about relational Christianity and the need for community. God has chosen the local church to be His vehicle to mold and shape disciples in the 21st century. Ill highlight the need to get back to NT relational Christianity. Relationship with God true community stems from having a right relationship with Jesus Christ. The Trinity is our example of a pure relationship. God is one but He exists in three persons. We understand the true nature of community by understanding how God exists in perfect unity. The Problem of Isolation Ill go into detail about the breakdown of American community in the 21st century and the immense pain and loneliness in society today. Relationship with those closest to you. John Maxwell once said, Success is having those closest to you, love and respect you the most. True relational disciples prioritize success at home (e.g., relationship between husband, wife and family members). Sadly, we in North America have often prioritized personal success over success in marriage and family. Relational success also involves the need to prioritize a handful of close friendships. Relationships through small group ministry my expertise is in the area of small group ministry and I believe that relational disciples are best formed in the context of the small group. Relationships with the unchurched a true relational disciple gives away his or her Christian community to those in need. Relational evangelism is the natural flow of a life lived in relation to God and others. This book will help make obedient disciples of Jesus Christ. A small group supervisor, for example, could use this book to advise small group members and leaders to become relational disciples. This book will be important for anyone who desires to serve others by practicing the clear teachings of Jesus Christ in the 21st century.