The Kingdom Unleashed

1. The Kingdom of God is expanding rapidly in the Global South

Christianity is spreading faster now than it has at any time in human history.

Explosive growth. In the last 50 years, Christianity has experienced unprecedented growth in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. For example, the number of Christians in Africa grew from 9 million in 1900 to 335 million in 2000. In China, an estimated 10,000 people become Christ-followers daily. This growth is characterized by:

• Rapid multiplication of disciples and churches
• Indigenous leadership and contextualized approaches
• Emphasis on obedience-based discipleship and the power of the Holy Spirit

Movements. Over 650 Kingdom movements are being tracked globally, with most occurring in the Global South. These movements often see:

• Multiple generations of disciples making disciples
• Churches planting churches
• Transformation of entire communities and people groups

2. Prayer and fasting are essential for spiritual breakthroughs

Prayer is the lifeblood of movements.

Prioritizing prayer. Successful Disciple Making Movements (DMMs) consistently emphasize the centrality of prayer and fasting. This includes:

• Regular, extended times of individual and corporate prayer
• Fasting for spiritual breakthrough and guidance
• Intercessory prayer for specific people groups and regions

Prayer strategies. Many movements employ creative prayer approaches:

• Prayer walking through communities
• All-night prayer meetings
• Mobilizing large numbers of intercessors
• Combining prayer with compassion ministries

The Global North church often underestimates the power of prayer, relying instead on human strategies and resources. Rediscovering the priority of prayer is crucial for seeing similar breakthroughs in the West.

3. Ordinary people can become extraordinary disciples

Jesus picked ordinary people—to be His first disciples. He did not choose to work through rabbis or "the wise and learned," but through working class people and businessmen. And with these ordinary people, He changed the world.

Empowering the laity. DMMs focus on equipping and releasing ordinary believers to make disciples and plant churches. This approach:

• Challenges the clergy-laity divide prevalent in many churches
• Recognizes that every believer has a role in advancing the Kingdom
• Allows for rapid multiplication and expansion of the Gospel

Examples of transformation:

• Former drug addicts becoming disciple-makers
• Illiterate people learning to study and share the Bible
• Business professionals starting Discovery Bible Studies in their workplaces

This emphasis on "every member a minister" aligns with the New Testament model of the priesthood of all believers and unleashes the full potential of the church.

4. Obedience-based discipleship leads to transformation

Obedience is the essence of discipleship and is central to the Gospel that Jesus taught.

Beyond knowledge. DMMs prioritize obedience to Scripture over mere knowledge accumulation. This approach:

• Encourages immediate application of biblical truths
• Focuses on heart transformation rather than head knowledge
• Leads to visible lifestyle changes and community impact

Practical implementation:

• Discovery Bible Study participants are asked, "How will you obey this passage?"
• Disciples are held accountable for applying what they learn
• Emphasis on sharing discoveries with others, creating a multiplication effect

This obedience-based model contrasts with many Global North discipleship approaches that prioritize information over application, resulting in limited life change.

5. Discovery Bible Studies empower believers to engage with Scripture

The Word of God and the Holy Spirit change lives, not gifted and godly teachers.

Self-discovery process. Discovery Bible Studies (DBS) allow participants to engage directly with Scripture, guided by simple questions. Key elements include:

• Reading or listening to a Bible passage
• Retelling the passage in one's own words
• Discussing what the passage reveals about God and humanity
• Identifying specific ways to obey the passage
• Committing to share insights with others

Benefits:

• Accessible to both literate and non-literate individuals
• Encourages personal ownership of biblical truths
• Naturally leads to multiplication as participants share with others

This approach contrasts with teacher-centered Bible studies common in the Global North and empowers ordinary believers to become disciple-makers.

6. Persecution and opposition often accompany Kingdom growth

If we are doing the King's business, the devil will fight us. If we are doing the King's business we are going to be in a battle.

Reality of spiritual warfare. As DMMs expand, they often face intense opposition:

• Persecution from religious and political authorities
• Martyrdom of new believers
• Spiritual attacks on leaders and their families

Responses to opposition:

• Increased prayer and fasting
• Courageous persistence in disciple-making
• Development of underground church networks
• Viewing persecution as confirmation of Kingdom impact

The Global North church must be prepared for increased opposition as it aligns more closely with biblical Kingdom values and practices.

7. Courageous leadership is crucial for Disciple Making Movements

Every leader, every Kingdom catalyst without exception, has his or her own "sheep in the midst of wolves" seasons.

Characteristics of courageous leaders:

• Willingness to take risks for the Gospel
• Persistence in the face of opposition
• Humility and dependence on God
• Vision for Kingdom expansion beyond personal comfort or success

Examples of sacrifice:

• Leaders facing imprisonment or death threats
• Families relocating to unreached areas
• Giving up lucrative careers to focus on disciple-making

Courageous leadership is essential for catalyzing and sustaining DMMs, often requiring personal sacrifice and unwavering commitment to God's mission.

8. The Global North church needs a paradigm shift towards Kingdom values

The question we have to ask is how can we bring everlasting Kingdom impact into a society.

Challenges in the Global North:

• Overreliance on professional clergy and programs
• Focus on church growth rather than Kingdom expansion
• Comfort and affluence hindering radical discipleship

Necessary shifts:

• Empowering all believers for ministry
• Prioritizing obedience-based discipleship
• Embracing a holistic understanding of the Gospel
• Rediscovering the power of prayer and the Holy Spirit

Adopting DMM principles can help revitalize the Global North church and align it more closely with New Testament patterns of disciple-making.

9. Holistic ministry addresses both spiritual and physical needs

Biblical transformation is more than simply not conforming to the world's thinking. Biblical transformation requires the renewing of our minds, and that begins to happen only when people intentionally align their lives with God's will.

Integrated approach. Effective DMMs combine:

• Evangelism and discipleship
• Compassion ministries (e.g., healthcare, education, poverty alleviation)
• Community development initiatives

Benefits of holistic ministry:

• Demonstrates the love of Christ tangibly
• Opens doors for Gospel proclamation
• Leads to sustainable transformation of individuals and communities

This approach reflects Jesus' own ministry of preaching, teaching, and healing, addressing the whole person and society.

10. Partnerships and unity accelerate Kingdom advancement

When pastors are praying for the other pastors in their town, and when they are extending resources to other churches to support their growth, then it is likely that this community is on a Kingdom of God trajectory that just might lift the spiritual climate for everyone.

Collaboration over competition. Successful DMMs often involve:

• Cross-denominational partnerships
• Cooperation between Global North and South ministries
• Sharing of resources, training, and best practices

Benefits of unity:

• Increased prayer coverage and spiritual power
• Pooling of resources for greater impact
• Diverse gifts and perspectives strengthening the overall movement

Unity in mission, while maintaining diversity in non-essential areas, reflects Jesus' prayer for His followers and unleashes the full potential of the global church.

Last updated: October 17, 2024