Personal Ministries
GROW
Prepare

01. Prepare

The first phase in the disciple-making process is to PREPARE the soil of the heart. When we come close to people in friendship and service, we show that we care and gain their confidence. Ministering to people’s practical needs with kindness and compassion prepares their hearts to receive the truth of the gospel.
Prepare illustration

PERSONAL DISCIPLE-MAKING

Here are several ways to develop friendship interests and to continue building a trusting relationship throughout the disciple-making journey:
  • Mingle and visit, strike up a conversation, and be a sympathizing listener.
  • Invite your friend home for a meal or to do a project or activity together.
  • Minister to a need (prepare a meal, babysit, etc.).
  • Give a gift that would be meaningful.
  • Invite your friend to a cooking school or social event at your church.

LOCAL CHURCH MINISTRIES

To prepare the soil of the heart, Health and Friendship-Building Ministries are essential in every church. To establish these ministries:
ELECThealth ministry and community service leaders (Church Manual, pp. 100, 107).
BUDGETfor need-based ministries and events.
ASSESSlocal community needs (consider contacting civic leaders) along with church personnel and resources that could be used in health and friendship-building ministries and events.
PLANways to inspire, equip, and involve members in making friends and doing kind deeds, while also scheduling events* to build relationships and meet needs in the community.
PROVIDEleadership support—prayer, promotion, financial support, and participation.

* Local church examples of health and friendship-building events include:

  • Health Expos
  • Cooking Schools
  • Centers of Influence
  • Free Dental Clinics
  • Food and Clothing Ministries
  • Disaster Response
  • Vacation Bible Schools
  • Music Concerts
  • Community Gardens
  • Family Seminars
  • Finance Seminars
  • After School Programs

Take Note!

  1. 1.
    To be ongoing, local churches need ministries, not just events. Every disciple-making ministry should have a leader, a budget, and annual action plans.
  1. 2.
    The local church’s role in disciple-making is twofold:
    • Equip and involvemembers in personal labor by providing resources, giving ministry assignments, inspiring and motivating, launching personal labor initiatives and campaigns, etc.
    • Conductevents and Programs that minister to members’ friends and interests, as well as to new interests in the community.

Recommended Resources:

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My Disciple-Making Journal:

My Disciple-Making Journal:

A Global Total Member Involvement

Personal Planner

  • A must for every church member!
  • Learn the process for making disciples
  • Gain invaluable insights and practical tips
  • Create your own interest list
  • Use disciple-making logs that guide you in planning and recording your efforts
  • Use journal pages to record testimonies and reflections
  • Gain inspiration and encouragement to get started with personal disciple-making
  • Pastors and leaders can use the accompanying PowerPoint for training
Global Total Member Involvement

Global Total Member Involvement

Church Planner

Revised Edition

  • A must for every church pastor and local leader!
  • A companion resource to My Disciple-Making Journal: A Global TMI Personal Planner
  • Guides in making a disciple-making evangelism plan for your local church
  • Learn the twofold role of the local church in making disciples
  • Discover essential disciple-making ministries
  • Get church members ready for personal disciple-making
  • Includes sample and blank planning forms
  • Use the accompanying PowerPoint for training

Take Note!

  1. “Jesus . . . went about doing good” (Acts 10:38).
  1. “And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick” (Matthew 14:14).
  1. “The sowers of the seed have a work to do in preparing hearts to receive the gospel” (Christ's Object Lessons, p. 57).
  1. “Christ’s method alone will give true success in reaching the people. The Saviour mingled with men as one who desired their good. He showed His sympathy for them, ministered to their needs, and won their confidence. Then He bade them, ‘Follow Me’ ”(The Ministry of Healing, p. 143).
  1. “When properly conducted, the health work is an entering wedge, making a way for other truths to reach the heart” (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 6, p. 327).

Explore the full Global TMI strategy by navigating through the five essential areas of disciple-making.