The most effective manner to train and equip people for any skill is by providing effective models and opportunities to practice the skill itself. Jesus used a show, tell, release, and supervise discipleship-training process. Jesus ministered to the multitudes (crowd), the 12 (cell), and the inner circle of 3 (Core). After calling the disciples, He took them along with Him, teaching and healing the sick as He went. Then, after He thought they had seen and learned enough to try for themselves, He commissioned, empowered, instructed, and sent them out to do the same things in smaller groups. This discipleship process should be no different for those desiring to bring others into a complete understanding and walk in Christ-likeness.

Several weeks ago, I felt impressed by the Lord to launch a new men’s Core Group here in Fort Worth, Texas. I asked the Lord to show me who He wanted in the group. Four men came to mind immediately and so I waited and continued praying about those men for a week. Sensing confirmation, I then went to each man, described the process and format, invited them to be a part of Core for a “trial” 5-week period, and asked them to pray about their decision (count the cost). Three of the four agreed. The fourth, recently married, declined, but wanted me to circle back again in the future.

All three of the men are believers, professional businessmen, loving husbands and devoted fathers. They have spouses, children and mortgages. Each of these guys has three children ranging in age from 2 to 16. A total of 15 precious souls are being influenced by their decision. What’s more, these guys are actively involved in church, business, and civic responsibilities reaching hundreds of people weekly. The guy’s ages range from 34-42 (millennial and gen X).

The millennial generation has earned a reputation for reshaping industries and institutions. They shake things up. New research has said that millennials are drifting from church; at least 40 percent claim no religion at all. Millennials want authenticity, purpose, relationships, community and want serve. They want to be part of something that matters. They see through the thin “genuine veneer” layer of religion and long for authenticity and meaning. They want to see the big picture (vision), want to connect (relationships), want transparency (not hypocrisy), long for unity, and want to be challenged.

Generation X, called the “middle child” of generations, is more loyal to religion. Many were “latchkey kids”. One author summarizes Gen X as “a generation whose worldview is based on change, on the need to combat corruption, dictatorships, abuse, aids, a generation in search of human dignity and individual freedom, the need for stability, love, tolerance, and human rights for all. They are adventurers and explorers who try things out and experiment. They are open to those who espouse deep spirituality instead of loyalty to religious dogma.”

I’m a baby-boomer. I greatly value the local church, heritage, and evangelism. But I also see a greater need to build relationships and personal spiritual development. I want to see people making a difference by expressing God’s love beyond the walls of the church, ministering to the poor, teaching God’s Word in coffee shops, serving in business, and impacting local, regional, and global outreaches. Like the millennials and generation X, I don’t like the showmanship found in many of today’s church services. I think we’re all looking for honest, genuine simplicity in a world full of broken promises, broken marriages, and broken families.

Our first five meetings focused on getting to know one another around breakfast. We meet at a local coffee shop, order breakfast, and review the assigned reading from the Bible. In this group, we deep-dive each chapter of Galatians. Specifically, each man is asked to read a chapter each week, come to our fellowship ready to discuss in depth. Each man, from the youngest to the oldest, is given the opportunity to share their thoughts about each chapter and how that chapter can be practically applied to their lives as men, husbands, and fathers. The dialogue is genuine and revealing. The transparency is obvious and real. The impact is measurable. Lives are changing as the Word of God, relationships, and prayer are used to form, conform, and transform each of us in becoming more like Christ. The guys have all agreed to continue in Core for another 3-month period. I’ll write about this Core Group adventure as we go …

Making disciples does not refer to some formal structured program intended only for the super-spiritual. It is God’s imperative for every believer. It involves the initiation and the instruction of every believer into an ever-deepening relationship with Jesus Christ. It seeks to make every person a follower of Christ. The Holy Spirit initiates and provides power for transformation as believers practice spiritual disciplines (see John 6:63; 16:13; Eph. 5:18; 2 Thess. 2:13; 2 Tim. 1:7). When disciples practice spiritual disciplines, they open their hearts and lives to the work of the Holy Spirit – the result is spiritual transformation.

Scripture paints a clear picture of a God who not only lives in community but embraces and seeks after it. First, with Adam (Gen.1:26), then with the people of Israel (Deut.6:4) and finally in the Godhead itself (John 1:1-3). There is power in a cord of three and this concept runs throughout God’s Word. Since God Himself lives and works in community, and you are made in the likeness of God, then you too are created to live in and for community. To be human is to hunger for community.

Additionally, Jesus and the disciples modeled a closely-knit community. Christ Himself came to provide community and live with us (Mth.1:23) and then He called a small group of disciples to live and walk with Him (Mark 3:7-10,13-14). Jesus knew that the multitudes had great needs, but chose to minister to the twelve and especially the three (Peter, James and John). By walking with and training a few, He ultimately transformed many lives.

This cord of three strands – community – is Christ’s highest dream for His Church. It is seen in His prayer for us that we may be one as He and the Father and Holy Spirit are one (John 17:11). Additionally, Christ sees our unity and community as our message to the world that He came and that He is love, and if we, the Church, fail at community, we fail our mission (John 17:21, 23).

Learn more about Core Discipleship by visiting CoreDiscipleship.com.