Discipleship:

Through regular interaction with our young males and females, men and women we serve, our staff members share the gospel, facilitate Bible studies and invite them to experience a spiritual and physical long-lasting transformation through a continuous relationship with Christ Jesus.

There are many ways to go about discipling after evangelizing because we first evangelize to the unbelievers then after they come to Christ Jesus, we bring them in our discipleship class program for them not just to be saved but to the followers of Jesus Christ our Lord.

Here is an example of one of our discipleship classes. Healthy Nation begins with the Youth living for Jesus Christ because when the youth are transformed so is the Nation.

Some of our Discipleship Graduations.

But there are also many discipleship fundamental principles that should never be left out in discipleship process. Here are some of the key discipleship principles we found to be so helpful to guarantee a productive and successful disciple making ministry as we gout spreading the Good news and discipling others in Hands of Love Foundation through our Discipleship Institute YADI (Youth For Africa Discipleship Institute).

1. Rooted in Scripture

      2.Building a prayer Foundation

1. Accountability /Being Accountable to someone
2. Lifestyle

     5.Relationship/connections

     6.Community

    7.Intergrity

1. Be faithful
2. Humility
3. Flexibility/Be flexible
4. Hard work

12.Take care of Yourself

1. Be loving
2. Good record keeping
3. Meet Disciple’s family
4. Planning our family together

    17.Using spiritual Growth Tasks

1. Listening
2. Ask Questions
3. Learning the skills of Coaching
4. Developing credibility
5. Using Discretion
6. Keeping it simple
7. Maintain confidentiality.

Here are some reasons we chose to use these as the keys:

We do use these principles as the keys because:

1. Being rooted in scriptures: This is the way God communicates with us as believers and we should fully utilize this tool if we want God to communicate with us.
2. Prayer: We as Christians also communicate with God through prayer and as we grow in the spiritual disciple of prayer we become better equipped to help grow others in Christ Jesus.
3. Accountability: This is having a mentor in your life or Christian peers who will help you make wise choices and redirect you when you get off track. With someone in your life to keep you accountable, you can then be a good mentor and help those you are discipling have accountability. (Luke 10:17, Acts 14:26-28)
4. Lifestyle: We need to observe our own lives, and look for habits and sins that draw us from God, and actively work towards looking more like Christ Jesus. Alife style that exemplifies Christ Jesus will be the best kind of witness to those doubting if Christ Jesus works in the lives of believers.
5. Relationship/ Connections: In order to disciple another person, you must have a relationship. Once you have a solid foundation, you will both have mutual trust and love for each other. Then, you both can be honest about where you are in your walk with the Lord. Then you can disciple them.
6. Community: Being in community is a time where believer can grow with each other and learn more about God. When we have a community of believers around us then we can grow. No matter how much time and energy you put into discipling someone, they will need other believers helping them along the way.
7. Integrity: Living truthfully and with good morals. As Christians, we should live this way, and as we disciple people we should live this way since others are watching. We need to have integrity in our relationship with those whom we are discipling, If we are honest and open with them, we cannot expect them to be honest and open with us. We cannot expect others to live in a way that we are not willing to live in.
8. Faithfulness/ Be faithful: One of the marks of a disciple is that he is faithful. To be faithful is to be “worth of trust”. As a disciple you must be faithful in all things- to your church, to God’s word, to your spouse, to your employer, and to your disciple. Keep your word. If you make a promise, keep it. (Ps. 15:4)
9. Humility: God may use us as Christians to help row others in Christ, but only God causes growth (1 Cor 3:7). We cannot claim the work that God is doing as our own: God has simply chosen to work through us to accomplish His will. Effective discipleship happens through Christ Jesus, and we should God the glory, taking none for ourselves. It is from God He has given us this opportunity to be witnesses and disciple others.
10. Flexibility/ Be flexible: What works with one disciple may not work with another. What has been helping your disciple grow may become an obstacle to growth as his situation change. You must make disciples in variety of situations and settings. Your goal remains the same- to guide them into growing relationship with Jesus Christ –but your methods may change.
11. Hard work: Discipleship takes time and energy: it is not an easy process. We cannot go into effective3 discipleship without ready and committed to leading others to Christ Jesus. (Matt 28:19-20). God commands us to make disciples and teach them. This task should not be taken lightly. We have the priviledge3 to play apart in what God is doing in the word.
12. Take care of Yourself: As a disciple, it is very important to be in a good condition spiritually, emotionally, financial, and physically. The key to keeping your whole life “in shape” is to discover and maintain your personal priorities and to be balanced in all things. (1 Cor 9:25, Phil 4:5). Your personal priorities should include your relationship with Jesus, your family, your ministry in the church and your job. Keep your spiritual life focused through prayer, Bible study, fasting and ministry. Maintain your key relationship with love and gentleness, especially with your family. Pay your bills when they are in due. Learn to be content with what you have. Do physical exercise regularly, and eat a healthy diet.
13. Be loving: Whatever Jesus does is rooted in His unconditional love for all people. To follow is to follow the path of love. The first commandment we teach our disciples is the Great commandment of love. (Matt 22:37-40). Love is more important than any ministry, miracle, or work we can do for God. Love is greater than sacrifice or worship- even to the giving of our our lives, (1 Cor 13).
14. Keep Good Records: It is a good idea for you to develop and maintain a good record keeping system for your discipling ministry especially if you are discipling more one person at a time. Good record can help you in several ways.

(1) . They can help you track of what you have assigned each disciple:

(2). They can help you remember important facts and dates i.e birthdays etc.

(3). Your records can give you a way to measure your disciple’s progress and growth

(4). Records can help you plan your discipling appointments.

1. Meet Disciple’s family: Every disciple is an individual and must be treated as a unique person. Remember, your disciple is also part of a family and a community. His family and community have a great influence and effect on his life and faith. It is important for you to visit his/her family and get to know them as much as possible.
2. Planning time together: While you must be careful not to be ‘over-program’ your time with your disciple, it is also important for you to plan your time together to accomplish your discipling goals in his life. What things did you want to accomplish in your time together? What things did you assign to your disciple in your last meeting? Each meeting should have a specific goal for the disciple’s spiritual maturity and growth.
3. Using Spiritual growth tasks: A spiritual growth task is an assignment you give to your disciple that helps him grow in Christ Jesus. It may be to pray for someone, or to fast for a day, or to read a book, an article, or a portion of the Bible. It may include memorizing some Bible verses, writing a letter, witnessing to a neighbor, or doing something special for a loved one. Be creative and keep the tasks simple and focused. Don’t go too long without including overtly missional tasks that include serving and blessing the non- Christian community.
4. Listening: Develop the skill of good listening. Be quick to listen and slow to speak. Remember,” listening is more than hearing words. It is important to listen for feelings as well as facts.”
5. Ask Questions: Asking the right questions is one of the most important tools you have in making a disciple. Asking the right questions will help you get the information you need to help your disciple. The purpose of asking questions is to guide your disciple as he discovers God’s will and heart in his life.
6. Learning the skills of coaching and mentoring: A disciple is more of a coach than a supervisor. There are seven steps to effective coaching:
7. Listening careful iv. Strategic plans vii. Develop character
8. Celebrate wins v. Do skill training
9. Care personally vi. Challenge specifically.
10. Developing credibility: Credibility is the quality of being believable, reliable, and trustworthy. Your disciple must be able to trust your spiritual judgement and have confidence in your personal integrity. They are four things confidence that contribute to the development of credibility.do it for
11. Using Discretion: In more instances, it is not appropriate for a man to directly disciple a woman or for a woman to disciple a man directly. If you are to disciple someone of the opposite sex, try to do it in a group setting or have an older woman do it for you. Set guidelines to prevent being alone and avoid temptation or even the appearance of evil as it can give the enemy opportunity to destroy you (1Thes 5:22).
12. Keep it simple: Simplicity is doing the same thing with fewer resources(2Cor1:12;11:3). Jesus lived a simple life, uncluttered life. In discipleship, as in most other things, the best way is usually the simplest way. Keep your lessons and spiritual growth tasks simple.
13. Maintain Confidentiality: Confidentiality means you do not share someone’s information needed to be kept in secret. When someone tells you something, or you become aware of information that should not be spread further.