Up, In, & Out
Unfortunately, the focus has been to disciple people to money, budgets, first impressions ministry, music, sports, buildings—everything but Him. The Brown to Green discipleship model avoids this by intentionally discipling people to Jesus first!
Where Do You Start?
We need to give our disciples a picture of a spiritually balanced human being. We give them a picture of Jesus and let all of our lives begin to mirror his model from Luke 6:12-19. Mike Breen calls this principle “UP, IN and OUT” in his book, “Building a Discipling Culture.”
- UP | learning to remain with the Father (abiding—it all starts here)
- IN | deep community with others who are following God (processing)
- OUT | a time of mission where we take God’s Kingdom to our world (producing)
These are the bones of any discipleship process. Let the UP drive, and the IN will come naturally. As your disciple’s faith is ignited, start looking for the OUT. Stick with these rhythms and do them as the Lord leads your group.
Teaching Tips
We like to have group members evaluate where they are in each facet of Up, In and Out on a scale from 1 to 10. We then revisit it periodically so they can see their growth.
Where do you start?
One of the biggest mistakes made in the journey of discipleship is assuming that people know how to spend time with the Lord. Here's probably a more accurate assessment: assume they don't. You might take it even a step further and say they want to, but no one has showed them how.
No one has taught them the story of God's redemptive plan.
No one has taught them how to study his Word.
No one has taught them how to pray.
No one has taught them that everything is about Jesus.
No one has taught them how to sit still before The Lord.
No one has taught them how to hear His voice.
No one has taught them about breakthrough.
No one has taught them how to make a disciple who can make a disciple.
No one has taught them...until now.
Let the "up" drive, and the "in" will come naturally. As they become hotter, start looking for the "out".
Up The Mountain Challenge
One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God.
Luke 6:12
Pick a night and stay up with the Father. It was good for Jesus, how much more for you?
Model this for your disciples.
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