For Church Leaders
Greetings!
The questions below are the same questions that all who visit our website see. However, I have added comments (indented italicized text) which I believe are especially important for church leaders.
We are confident that our ministry will be a biblically sound addition to your church, complementing the discipleship already taking place.
Under my direction, our ministry team exists to serve the greater body of Christ under your biblical leadership. Don’t hesitate to contact me directly with any questions you may have. You will find my contact information here.
In Christ alone,
Ron SanchezFounder / Director
We are confident that our ministry will be a biblically sound addition to your church, complementing the discipleship already taking place.
Under my direction, our ministry team exists to serve the greater body of Christ under your biblical leadership. Don’t hesitate to contact me directly with any questions you may have. You will find my contact information here.
In Christ alone,
Ron SanchezFounder / Director
Introduction
Amazing Creatures is a discipleship ministry that partners with local gospel-centered churches to help create a culture of ongoing weekly one-on-one discipleship through the Scriptures, beginning with The Gospel of John.
The heart of our ministry is grounded in the second part of the Great Commission of Jesus: to “make disciples,” hence the term “disciple makers.” We believe that the Great Commission was intended for all Christians and therefore all Christians should be disciple makers.
The heart of our ministry is grounded in the second part of the Great Commission of Jesus: to “make disciples,” hence the term “disciple makers.” We believe that the Great Commission was intended for all Christians and therefore all Christians should be disciple makers.
How do you handle the theological differences in churches within your training?
It is imperative to the success of our ministry that we have your trust. As a result, we focus on "the essentials."
The first stage of our training, The Call to Purpose, involves five chapters foundational to understanding important elements of discipleship, including
The first stage of our training, The Call to Purpose, involves five chapters foundational to understanding important elements of discipleship, including The Essentials, which contains two lessons: What Are the Essentials? and The Importance of Church. You can review these two lessons in the links above.
Our approach to these vital subjects come from a combination of Al Mohler’s article, A Call for Theological Triage and Christian Maturity, and Alistair Begg’s message, Practical Issues of Pastoral Ministry, given at the 2003 Basics 2003 Christian leaders conference.
The first stage of our training, The Call to Purpose, involves five chapters foundational to understanding important elements of discipleship, including
The first stage of our training, The Call to Purpose, involves five chapters foundational to understanding important elements of discipleship, including The Essentials, which contains two lessons: What Are the Essentials? and The Importance of Church. You can review these two lessons in the links above.
Our approach to these vital subjects come from a combination of Al Mohler’s article, A Call for Theological Triage and Christian Maturity, and Alistair Begg’s message, Practical Issues of Pastoral Ministry, given at the 2003 Basics 2003 Christian leaders conference.
This is the most common and important question asked by church leaders; we focus on “the essentials.”
You will learn more about these essentials during the first stage of your training, The Call to Purpose, where we dive into chapter two, The Essentials, with two lessons, What Are the Essentials? and The Importance of Church.
You have access to our training materials because of the trust your church leaders have placed in our ministry. Don’t hesitate to bring any questions you have throughout your training to your church leadership. (Ephesians 4:11-12)
You will learn more about these essentials during the first stage of your training, The Call to Purpose, where we dive into chapter two, The Essentials, with two lessons, What Are the Essentials? and The Importance of Church.
You have access to our training materials because of the trust your church leaders have placed in our ministry. Don’t hesitate to bring any questions you have throughout your training to your church leadership. (Ephesians 4:11-12)
What about the first part of Jesus’ commission, to preach the gospel?
While the emphasis of our ministry is making disciples, we know that discipleship can’t happen until you have disciples. This is why our training includes a thorough explanation of the gospel in the second stage of your training, The Birth of Purpose. We believe that every disciple maker must have a solid understanding of what the gospel is and how to share it with others.
What about baptism, isn’t baptizing part of the Great Commission?
We ensure that the responsibilities of Christian leaders is clear in the mind of the one who is going through our training. This is an example of how we handle secondary and tertiary issues. In all such issues, we defer to the local church leaders.
Yes, we believe that every Christian should be baptized and that it should happen within the local church, as directed by the church’s leadership.
Isn’t discipleship the responsibility of the church?
One of the great challenges I faced as the senior pastor of a growing church was expanding discipleship beyond our church leaders. I am confident that with the specific training we offer, your church members will be eager to meet weekly one-on-one for ongoing discipleship.
We want those in your congregation to understand what they read on the homepage of our website: “Your church leaders should not. have to bear the sole rsponsibility of discipleship.”
We want those in your congregation to understand what they read on the homepage of our website: “Your church leaders should not. have to bear the sole rsponsibility of discipleship.”
Absolutely, and guess what? You are the church! (Matthew 16:13-20) We cover this in the first stage of your training, The Call to Purpose, chapter two, “Who Is Responsible for Discipleship?”
Most of what happens in your church is discipleship, including everything that takes place in weekly church services, community groups, prayer meetings, Bible studies, retreats, and other activities. Your church leaders take their calling to discipleship seriously. (Hebrews 13:17) But they can’t do it all, nor should they.
We have discovered that the most effective form of discipleship is weekly one-on-one meetings, reading the scriptures together, and understanding them together. In doing so, the church will grow in greater depth and be an even brighter light to the world. (Matthew 5:14-16)
Most of what happens in your church is discipleship, including everything that takes place in weekly church services, community groups, prayer meetings, Bible studies, retreats, and other activities. Your church leaders take their calling to discipleship seriously. (Hebrews 13:17) But they can’t do it all, nor should they.
We have discovered that the most effective form of discipleship is weekly one-on-one meetings, reading the scriptures together, and understanding them together. In doing so, the church will grow in greater depth and be an even brighter light to the world. (Matthew 5:14-16)
Is your discipleship better than what my church is already doing?
What if?
Imagine the impact on your church if men and women in your church were meeting weekly with a new or growing believer for ongoing one-on-one discipleship, taking them through the Scriptures, beginning with The Gospel of John.
Imagine the impact on your church if men and women in your church were meeting weekly with a new or growing believer for ongoing one-on-one discipleship, taking them through the Scriptures, beginning with The Gospel of John.
It isn’t an either-or. Your church and its leaders work hard to fulfill the Great Commission, which involves preaching the gospel and making disciples. The myriad ministries and activities (worship services, bible studies, community groups, retreats, etc.) all play a vital role in the discipleship process.
Yet, we have discovered that one of the most essential elements of discipleship is missing: “You!” As you grow in your disciple making, you will become an even more productive member of your local church and a vital part of the church team to fulfill the Great Commission.
Yet, we have discovered that one of the most essential elements of discipleship is missing: “You!” As you grow in your disciple making, you will become an even more productive member of your local church and a vital part of the church team to fulfill the Great Commission.
Disciple making is logically simple to understand but difficult to accomplish. What is simple about it?
Jesus said we are to make disciples by “teaching them (disciples) to observe all that I (Jesus) have (has) commanded. This raises the question, what has Jesus commanded?
We conclude that Jesus is the Word of God (John 1:1) who tells us that his word is our sustenance, the spiritual bread we are to live by. (Matthew 4:4, Deuteronomy 8:3) We believe that all of his words are found in the sacred writings of Scripture, from the first verse of Genesis to the last verse of Revelation, and that they flow from the mouth of God, without error, and are the final authority for faith and life. (2 Timothy 3:16-17, Psalm 119:160, John 10:35)
The simplicity of discipleship is sitting down one-on-one every week with a new or growing Christian for an indefinite period and taking them through the scriptures, one verse at a time. We recommend starting with the Gospel of John.
What is the difficulty?
I have found that there are several legitimate reasons church members are intimidated by the idea of one-on-one discipleship: "I’m not a good enough Christian yet." "I don’t know the Bible well enough." "I am afraid I will say the wrong things."
Our training helps to alleviate those concerns, including perhaps the biggest reason, “I don’t have time.” The truth is, we all have a couple of hours a week.
The greatest difficulty is how it is carried out in practice.
Most Christians are intimidated by the idea of meeting with someone to walk them through the Bible and would rather let their church leadership handle discipleship. Our mission is your success, and we are committed to walking with you every step of the way, giving you the confidence you need to be an effective disciple maker.
Most Christians are intimidated by the idea of meeting with someone to walk them through the Bible and would rather let their church leadership handle discipleship. Our mission is your success, and we are committed to walking with you every step of the way, giving you the confidence you need to be an effective disciple maker.
What is a disciple?
A person who has responded to the gospel (the joyful message from God that leads us to salvation) in repentance and faith, with the understanding that through the leading of the Holy Spirit, they will seek to obey the commands of Jesus for the rest of their lives.
Effective discipleship cannot happen until a person has become a disciple. It is not uncommon to find oneself in the position of trying to disciple someone who has not responded to the gospel. This can be a frustrating experience for both parties and is preventable through an understanding of divine conviction, which we cover in the first stage of training, The Call to Purpose, chapter three.
Effective discipleship cannot happen until a person has become a disciple. It is not uncommon to find oneself in the position of trying to disciple someone who has not responded to the gospel. This can be a frustrating experience for both parties and is preventable through an understanding of divine conviction, which we cover in the first stage of training, The Call to Purpose, chapter three.
What is discipleship?
The word “discipleship” isn’t found in the dictionary or the Bible, but it refers to the practice of discipling. In his book, Discipling, Mark Dever defines discipling as doing spiritual good to someone so that he or she will be more like Christ. We have expanded on that definition.
“Intentionally doing spiritual good to someone, taking them through the sacred writings of Scripture, showing them how the commands of Jesus relate to daily life, so that they will be more like Jesus, a shining light to a troubled world.”
“Intentionally doing spiritual good to someone, taking them through the sacred writings of Scripture, showing them how the commands of Jesus relate to daily life, so that they will be more like Jesus, a shining light to a troubled world.”
What does "making disciples" look like in daily life?
Jesus is spoken of as “the Word of God,” and all that he has commanded is found within God’s word, the inerrant sacred writings of Scripture, the Bible, from the first book, Genesis, to the last book, Revelation. (John 1:1, Revelation 19:13)
Making disciples is as simple and straightforward as showing others how to observe and apply Jesus’ teachings (found in God’s word) in everyday life.
Making disciples is as simple and straightforward as showing others how to observe and apply Jesus’ teachings (found in God’s word) in everyday life.
What does the training look like?
All of our resources (materials) are grounded in God’s word and center around five stages of the Christian’s purpose, ultimately glorifying him in all that we do (see diagram here).
Each stage builds upon the previous and includes different chapters and lessons, culminating in being equipped to start making disciples. (1 Corinthians 10:31)
Each stage builds upon the previous and includes different chapters and lessons, culminating in being equipped to start making disciples. (1 Corinthians 10:31)
What does disciple maker training cost?
Just your time and commitment to the process. Thanks to the generosity of individuals and churches, all of our materials are offered free of charge. In the spirit of God’s free gift of salvation, which leads to the call to make disciples, we desire to provide the same.
What if I am a new Christian?
Someone once said that in discipleship, you just need to be one step ahead of the one you are discipling. We are dedicated to ensuring that the disciple maker is always one step ahead of the one they are discipling.
Peter and John, two of the three closest to Jesus and two of the most prominent figures in church history, were uneducated, common men; yet, people were astonished by their words and recognized that they had been with Jesus (Acts 4:13).
Peter and John, two of the three closest to Jesus and two of the most prominent figures in church history, were uneducated, common men; yet, people were astonished by their words and recognized that they had been with Jesus (Acts 4:13).
How can I get my church involved?
The best way to get your church involved is to have one of your church leaders contact our director. Having been in pastoral ministry for many years, he is sympathetic to all of the challenges church leaders face in developing a culture of one-on-one discipleship.
Also, if you would prefer, you can schedule a call with our director and ask any other questions you may have. You can schedule a meeting here.
Also, if you would prefer, you can schedule a call with our director and ask any other questions you may have. You can schedule a meeting here.
Who should go through the training?
Every Christian would benefit greatly from going through the training.
What is the end goal of the training?
That, through completing the training, you would have a biblical understanding of your responsibility to make disciples, and that you would have the faith and confidence to start meeting weekly, one-on-one with the person God has put in your path, taking them through The Gospel of John.
Why do you start with The Gospel of John?
Each of the gospels was written with a particular audience in mind: Matthew to the Jewish world, Mark to the Greek world, Luke to the Gentile World, and John to the whole world. Additionally, John tells us why he wrote it.
“Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” (John 20:30–31)
There is nothing more important in this world than believing in Jesus Christ and the reality of eternity in heaven. As Christians, we have an abundance of life that would be impossible to experience without Jesus. (John 10:10)
“Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” (John 20:30–31)
There is nothing more important in this world than believing in Jesus Christ and the reality of eternity in heaven. As Christians, we have an abundance of life that would be impossible to experience without Jesus. (John 10:10)