Grupos de Amistad y Redes

Introduction to the Discipleship School

Excitement for the Second Level

• The speaker expresses joy and excitement as students enter the second level of their discipleship school, emphasizing its significance in understanding Jesus' model.

• A collective recitation of their vision is encouraged, which focuses on reaching all Nicaraguans.

Foundation of Their Vision

• The vision stems from the Great Commission found in Matthew 28:18 and John 15:13, highlighting the importance of teaching others to follow Jesus' commands through friendship groups.

• This mission reflects God's will and Jesus' last words before ascending to heaven, underscoring its importance for the church's role in making disciples.

The Model of Jesus

Approach to Evangelism

• The vision extends beyond Nicaraguans to all people, focusing on teaching them through friendship groups that can meet in various locations like homes and cafes.

• Emphasizes that Jesus’ model was not about growth but care; growth is a natural outcome of caring for individuals within these groups.

Importance of Care

• The speaker poses a rhetorical question about where one would send their children for education—where they are cared for—drawing a parallel with how God cares for His children.

• The essence of Jesus’ model is encapsulated in four objectives: winning souls, consolidating believers, discipling them, and sending workers out into the field. Each objective is summarized succinctly as "win," "consolidate," "disciple," and "send."

Friendship Groups Structure

Group Dynamics

• Friendship groups consist of individuals meeting weekly with a focus on evangelism while also providing support and training for new believers. These groups are typically led by ministerial couples or pairs.

• The primary goal is caring for attendees; when members feel supported within these groups, it alleviates concerns from pastoral leadership regarding individual well-being.

Biblical Foundations

• Reference to Jesus’ command to Peter emphasizes nurturing those under one's care as central to ministry work—"Feed my sheep." This highlights the responsibility leaders have towards group members.

Continuing Jesus' Mission

Strategies from Early Church Practices

• After His resurrection, Jesus commissioned His disciples who continued his model seen in Acts; early Christians gathered in homes fostering community and outreach efforts effectively.

Characteristics of Friendship Groups

Open Meetings and Group Dynamics

Importance of New Guests in Friendship Groups

• Open meetings should always include new guests, emphasizing the evangelistic nature of shared teachings. The goal is to win souls and conclude with an invitation to receive Jesus.

Time Management in Meetings

• Meetings are ideally kept under 30 minutes, as attention tends to wane after 20 minutes. Aiming for a duration between 20-25 minutes helps maintain engagement without overwhelming newcomers with excessive theological content.

Focus on Enjoyment and Connection

• The essence of friendship groups is to create an enjoyable environment that encourages attendees to return. Lengthy sessions filled with numerous Bible verses can deter participation.

Worship Practices in Friendship Groups

• Typically, there is no worship or praise during friendship groups; the focus remains on fellowship. This aligns with biblical teachings about friendship and community, as highlighted in John 15:15.

Biblical Model of Community

• Acts 2:46 illustrates the early church's model of gathering both in temples and homes, emphasizing joy and simplicity in sharing meals together. This reflects God's original design for church community.

Discipleship Structure

Types of Groups within the Church

• The church operates two types of groups: friendship groups focused on connection and discipleship groups aimed at deeper teaching.

Weekly Discipleship Meetings

• Discipleship involves weekly meetings led by leaders who impart what they have learned to their disciples, creating a cycle of teaching and learning among members.

Teaching Methodology

• Leaders receive structured outlines monthly, allowing them time to prepare lessons effectively without needing to create content from scratch. This ensures consistency across teachings.

Characteristics of Discipleship Groups

Objectives of Discipleship

• The primary aim is to disciple and equip workers who will train others, fostering a culture of continuous learning within the church community.

Meeting Format

• Each meeting consists of a structured format: 20 minutes for planning/organization, followed by 20 minutes for teaching, concluding with prayer ministry time for spiritual renewal.

Closed Nature of Discipleship Groups

Discipleship and Friendship Groups

Importance of Discipleship Meetings

• The duration for discipleship meetings is typically around one hour, similar to friendship groups. The timing and location can be flexible based on convenience.

Biblical Example of Discipleship

• Reference to Matthew 9:9 where Jesus calls Matthew, a tax collector, to follow Him. This illustrates the personal nature of Jesus' call and the immediate response required from His followers.

Responding to God's Call

• Emphasizes that completing discipleship school leads to a divine calling, not just from leaders but directly from Jesus. Encourages participants to respond affirmatively like Matthew did.

Overcoming Doubts in Service

• Highlights the importance of overcoming fears when called to serve God. Participants are encouraged not to decline service opportunities due to feelings of inadequacy.

Being Chosen for a Purpose

• Affirms that many are called but few are chosen; participants should recognize their selection by God for significant roles in ministry.

Community and Inclusion in Friendship Groups

• Discusses the inclusion of sinners and publicans at meals with Jesus, emphasizing that friendship groups should include both believers (disciples) and those yet to know Christ.

Growth Through Obedience

• Acts 2:41–47 is referenced, illustrating how obedience through baptism led to significant growth in the early church—about 3,000 people were added after receiving the word.

Fellowship as a Core Value

• Stresses the importance of fellowship among believers as part of community life within friendship groups. This includes sharing meals and prayers together.

Structure and Organization of Friendship Groups

• Jesus provided specific instructions for organizing friendship groups (Matthew 10:5–15), including who they should reach out to and how they should conduct themselves during gatherings.

Components of a Successful Meeting

Sharing in Friendship Groups

Importance of Sharing and Reporting

• Emphasizes the significance of sharing within friendship groups, highlighting it as a crucial element for group cohesion.

• Encourages members to share personal testimonies, which can foster deeper connections and understanding among group members.

• Suggests planning for future meetings as a collaborative effort, reinforcing the idea of collective participation in group activities.

• Discusses the role of leaders in filling out group reports, indicating that this is a standard practice for maintaining organization and accountability.