What's "Transforming Discipleship" about?

• Core Focus: "Transforming Discipleship" by Greg Ogden is about making disciples in a relational, biblical, and accessible manner. It emphasizes the importance of investing in a few individuals at a time to foster deep spiritual growth.
• Proven Process: The book outlines a process that is intensely relational and thoroughly biblical, aiming to transform lives through accountable, Spirit-formed relationships.
• Urgency and Need: Ogden addresses the urgent need for effective discipleship in North American churches, highlighting the widespread discipleship deficit.
• Practical Model: It provides a practical, reproducible model for discipleship that can be implemented in church settings to create lasting change.

Why should I read "Transforming Discipleship"?

• Addressing Discipleship Deficit: The book tackles the critical issue of the lack of true discipleship in churches, offering solutions to bridge this gap.
• Relational Approach: It emphasizes the importance of relationships in discipleship, moving away from program-based approaches to more personal, impactful methods.
• Proven Strategies: Ogden shares strategies that have been tested and proven effective in various church settings, making it a valuable resource for church leaders and disciple-makers.
• Empowerment and Multiplication: The book focuses on empowering individuals to become disciple-makers themselves, ensuring the multiplication of discipleship efforts.

What are the key takeaways of "Transforming Discipleship"?

• Relational Investment: Discipleship should be based on intentional, relational investment rather than programs, focusing on life-on-life mentoring.
• Multiplication Focus: The goal is to create self-initiating, reproducing disciples who can carry on the mission of making disciples.
• Biblical Models: Ogden draws on the models of Jesus and Paul, emphasizing the importance of investing in a few to reach the many.
• Transformative Environment: Creating a hothouse environment for spiritual growth involves transparent trust, the truth of God's Word, and mutual accountability.

How does Greg Ogden define discipling in "Transforming Discipleship"?

• Intentional Relationship: Discipling is an intentional relationship where individuals walk alongside each other to encourage, equip, and challenge one another in love.
• Growth Toward Maturity: The goal is to grow toward maturity in Christ, which includes equipping disciples to teach others.
• Non-Hierarchical Approach: Ogden advocates for a peer mentoring model, emphasizing mutual learning and growth rather than a top-down approach.
• Covenantal Commitment: Discipling involves a covenantal commitment to meet regularly, complete assignments, and engage in transparent, accountable relationships.

What is the triad model in "Transforming Discipleship"?

• Group of Three: The triad model involves three individuals meeting regularly to engage in discipleship, fostering a dynamic and interactive environment.
• Mutual Participation: It shifts the focus from a hierarchical relationship to mutual participation, where all members contribute equally to the learning process.
• Enhanced Dynamics: The addition of a third person creates a group dynamic that enhances communication, accountability, and spiritual growth.
• Reproducibility: The triad model is designed to be easily reproducible, encouraging each member to form new triads and continue the cycle of discipleship.

How does "Transforming Discipleship" address the discipleship deficit?

• Identifying the Gap: Ogden identifies the symptoms and root causes of the discipleship deficit in churches, such as superficiality and lack of accountability.
• Biblical Foundations: The book emphasizes returning to biblical models of discipleship, focusing on relational investment and empowerment.
• Practical Solutions: Ogden provides practical steps for implementing a church-based strategy for disciple-making, including forming triads and creating a culture of multiplication.
• Long-Term Vision: The book encourages a long-term vision for discipleship, focusing on building slowly and solidly for lasting impact.

What are the transformative elements in a triad according to "Transforming Discipleship"?

• Transparent Trust: Building transparent trust among triad members is crucial for creating a safe environment for spiritual growth and confession.
• Truth of God's Word: Engaging with the truth of God's Word provides the foundation for teaching, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness.
• Mutual Accountability: A covenantal commitment to mutual accountability ensures that members hold each other to their commitments and encourage growth.
• Accelerated Growth: These elements combine to create a hothouse environment for accelerated spiritual growth and transformation.

What are the best quotes from "Transforming Discipleship" and what do they mean?

• "People are built to last.": This quote challenges the church to focus on developing disciples rather than measuring success by institutional achievements.
• "Jesus had enough vision to think small.": Ogden emphasizes the importance of investing in a few individuals to create a lasting impact, following Jesus' model.
• "Disciples cannot be mass produced.": This quote highlights the need for personal investment and relational discipleship rather than relying on programs.
• "The crisis at the heart of the church is a crisis of product.": Ogden points out that the church's failure to produce true disciples is a fundamental issue that needs addressing.

How does "Transforming Discipleship" suggest implementing a disciple-making strategy?

• Start Small: Begin with one triad, focusing on building deep, relational connections and spiritual growth.
• Select Wisely: Choose individuals who demonstrate loyalty and teachability, ensuring a strong foundation for multiplication.
• Long-Term Vision: Have a long-term vision for discipleship, focusing on building a multigenerational network of disciple-makers.
• Sustain Motivation: Use various methods to sustain motivation and energy for multiplication, such as gatherings, guest speakers, and newsletters.

What are the obstacles to reproduction in discipleship according to "Transforming Discipleship"?

• Hierarchical Models: Traditional one-on-one models can create dependency and limit reproduction due to perceived authority and hierarchy.
• Lack of Confidence: Individuals may not see themselves as qualified to disciple others, hindering multiplication efforts.
• Program Reliance: Over-reliance on programs rather than relational investment can stifle true spiritual growth and reproduction.
• Short-Term Focus: A focus on short-term results rather than long-term investment can prevent the development of self-initiating, reproducing disciples.

How does "Transforming Discipleship" redefine the role of church leaders?

• Equippers, Not Caregivers: Church leaders are called to equip the saints for ministry rather than being the primary caregivers.
• Focus on Multiplication: Leaders should prioritize investing in a few individuals who can reproduce and carry on the mission.
• Modeling Discipleship: Leaders are encouraged to model discipleship by actively participating in triads and demonstrating transparency and accountability.
• Creating a Culture: Leaders play a crucial role in creating a culture of disciple-making within the church, emphasizing relational investment and long-term vision.