Prayer, evangelism, and discipleship operating together is a three-stranded cord that cannot be broken
DOVE Family Core Teaching
Matthew 28:16-20
Prayer, evangelism, and discipleship operating together is a three-stranded cord that cannot be broken. The strength of a three-stranded cord is mentioned in Ecclesiastes 4:12.
These three basic values are needed in every church. Together, they make the church vibrant and ensure growth.
An example of this is a stool with three legs that is strong and stable.
Prayer
In prayer we worship God; we bring our needs and the needs of the world to Him, and we allow the Holy Spirit to transform us, to empower us, and to reveal to us His specific strategies for fulfilling the Great Commission.
Psalm 103:7, John 17:3, Matthew 4:4
The heart of the gospel is that we know God through Jesus Christ. We come to know Him when we spend time with Him in prayer. This allows us to recognize His voice.
God revealed His ways to Moses. God revealed His acts to the children of Israel. Moses knew God’s ways; He knew that He would come through.
Leaders start to struggle when they are caught up in doing acts and not spending time with God and getting to know Him. We need to have a daily appointment with God. There is no shortcut. God is a God of relationship.
When we are having time with God and getting to know Him, then we can impart to others.
Prayer and time in God’s Word is the most important thing we can do. If you are struggling with having daily prayer time, be accountable to someone.
Jesus was an example to the disciples in prayer. They asked Him to teach them (see Luke 11:1). Jesus is an example to us as well. The best way to pray is how Jesus prayed.
- Our father in heaven, hallowed be thy name.
- Your kingdom come; your will be done.
- Give us this day our daily bread.
- Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.
- Do not lead us into temptation but deliver us from evil.
- For thine is the kingdom (and the power and the glory forever).
It is easy to become drained as a leader. However, in order to serve, we need to be filled up. How can we be refreshed? It is in prayer and spending time with God and His Word.
If you are dry, take time to fast. Fasting puts us in a spiritual position of being able to hear God in a special way.
Evangelism
Through evangelism we seek to make known the glory of God and the name of Christ through verbal proclamation, publishing, the arts, and acts of compassion and service to our own communities and the peoples of the world in cross-cultural mission. We desire to see children, youth, and adults come to a saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. The unevangelized should hear the good news, and churches should be planted in all nations.
1 John 3:8, 2 Timothy 4:5
The purpose of God for every believer, church, and small group is to reach people with the gospel of the Kingdom of God. Reaching the whole world—every nation—is God’s eternal purpose.
We need to see people through Jesus’ eyes. Have the heart of an evangelist for others. Keep your focus on those who are unsaved.
Small groups or churches will stagnate if they are not reaching out. New Christians bring life!
Discipleship
Engaging in discipleship, we build relationship with and care for one another, training each other in godliness and good works. Discipleship is ongoing, as those who have been trained then train and disciple others.
Jesus did not commission His disciples to go and make converts; they were told to go and make disciples. This command applies to us as well. (See Matthew 28:19.)
Discipleship does not come from the pulpit. It comes from sharing life together. Discipleship is built on relationship.
The Biblical Foundation series is a simple tool available that can be used to help people grow in God.
All of us need three types of relationships.
- Paul-type relationships: mentors and teachers
- Barnabas-type relationships: friends and co-workers
- Timothy-type relationships: those who we are mentoring or discipling in the Lord
Jesus chose twelve disciples so they could be with Him. Mark 3:14-15.
Look for faithful people and help them grow, so that they pass the teachings and discipleship on to others. We see four generations identified in 2 Timothy 2:2.
- Paul
- Timothy
- Faithful men
- Others who they will teach
Learn more about Biblical foundations
In this series of 12 books that covers basic doctrine every Christian should know. Practical illustrations accompany the interactive, easy-to-understand format. Each book can be used for personal study, daily devotional, mentoring and small group study biblical foundation course. Available in English, Spanish, French, and Portuguese
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