Imagine what it would be like, and what Jesus would do through us in the North American Lutheran Church (NALC) if we collectively renewed our commitment to our Lord’s commission to make disciples, and if we together reaffirmed our desire to become the fulfillment of his commandment that we love one another as he Has loved us?
Imagine what might happen, if every pastor and every congregation and every member in our church body made this same personal commitment to be living witnesses to and for our risen Lord Jesus?
Our vision is that the NALC will reclaim the confessional Lutheran emphasis on ongoing catechesis and intentional faith formation in the life of all of its congregations. This same disciple-making identity will permeate every NALC congregation, be adopted by every NALC pastor, and become part of our church body’s DNA. Our vision also includes becoming known to the ecumenical community as a church body that takes seriously its calling to make disciples and intentionally cultivates a framework to do so in its congregations.
We are to cultivate opportunities to teach others all that our Lord has commanded—to pass on the gospel witness of the apostles.
Because every disciple has been called and commissioned by the Lord, it naturally follows that every disciple of Jesus has been given the responsibility to help others become disciples of Jesus. This is the personal investment of the Word of God from one life to another.
Share your Life-to-Life Discipleship story with us to help us encourage others to pursue this call Christ has given us!
Do you think this renewal could happen in your congregation and community? Jesus did, or He would not have gathered you together and placed you where you are. Do you think this life-changing transformation could happen in your family and in your own personal life? Your Lord must have thought it could, or He would not have called you as he has.
An Experience in intentional Discipleship for Congregations.
In order to encourage our congregations to be more intentional in living out the Great Commission, the NALC has developed a program designed to engage our congregational leadership in learning how to have discipling conversations with others in ways that are faithful and natural. Discipleship, however, is about more than simply learning techniques or conversational starters. Though we can teach someone how to proclaim the good news of Jesus, we cannot implant the desire to share the gospel with others. Only the Holy Spirit can do that. For this reason, This exercise in discipleship is intended to be an experience rather than a course. Yes, it will engage the mind in sound learning but the ultimate goal is to change hearts and implant a deep desire to live out the Great Commission in our personal and congregational lives. In pursuit of this goal this experience will focus on three essential areas.
- One with God – It is important to remember that we make disciples as disciples. In the great commission (Matt. 28:16-20) Jesus sends his disciples to make disciples and promises to be with them forever. We cannot convince others of the importance of following Jesus if we are not doing so ourselves. For this reason each participant will be asked to devote time each day in prayer, meditation, reflection on God’s word and honest evaluation of their personal discipleship.
- One with another – Proverb 27:17 states, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another” NIV. At the heart of this Life to Life discipleship experience is learning how to engage others in faith conversations. Each participant will be asked to put what has been learned into practice by partnering with one or two others between each session for mutual support and conversation.
- One Body in Christ Jesus – In his high priestly prayer Jesus prayed, “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” ESV. All the participants will gather together either weekly or bi-weekly for learning, worship, prayer and mutual support.
If this vision is going to become a reality, it needs to start in you.
The NALC Life-to-Life Discipleship manual can be downloaded for free by clicking the “Getting Started” link below and filling out the sign-up form. We also have a limited number of printed copies of the manual which can be ordered at a cost of $40 each. Please make checks payable to the North American Lutheran Church with “Discipleship book” in the memo line. Mail the check to NALC: PO Box 806565; Minneapolis, MN 55486-0565. Be sure to include your address for shipping.