As you think about your strategy for reaching and discipling the next generation, how are you measuring and evaluating your progress? What objectives are you trying to instill in your youth? What habits do you want them to have when they leave high school? How are you training your volunteer leaders to disciple the next generation? What are you coming alongside parents to help them be the spiritual caregivers of their children?
Certainly, discipleship can not be boiled down into a few easy steps and poof you are mature now, but there certainly are benchmarks in Christian Discipleship where holiness and fruit are harvested. Discipleship is slow and tedious, but tremendously rewarding! Jesus is our guide with his words and works. Here are a few to consider as you shepherd individuals, small groups and large groups of teenagers in your care. Go and make disciples!
DISCIPLESHIP OBJECTIVES
1. Assurance of Salvation – Share your confidence with another (John 1:12-13; Romans 8:16; 1 John 5:11-13; Jude 1, 24).
2. Specific Daily Time with God—Have a daily time of prayer and Bible study (Genesis 19:27; Exodus 34:2-3; Psalm 5:3; Daniel 6:10; Mark 1:35; 1 Corinthians 1:9).
3. Winning over Sin—Resist sin consistently, so you grow in holiness (Isaiah 41:13; 1 Corinthians 10:13; 15:57).
4. Separating Ourselves from Sin 6:12-14; 12:1-2; 2 Corinthians 6:14-18; 2 Timothy 2:19-22; James 1:12; 1 John 1:5-2:2; 2:15-16).
5. Time with Believers—Be consistent in local church attendance and other fellowship opportunities with Christians (Psalm 122:1; Acts 2:42; Hebrews 10:24-25; 1 John 1:3).
6. The Bible—Learn to articulate your belief in the inspiration of Scripture (Psalm 19:7-11; 119:105, 160; Matthew 22:29; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:21).
7. Hearing the Bible—Meditate on the Scriptures and apply their teachings to your life (Proverbs 28:9; Jeremiah 22:29; Luke 19:48).
8. Reading the Bible—Intentionally read through the whole Bible (Deuteronomy 17:19; 1 Timothy 4:13; Revelation 1:3).
9. Bible Study Tools (Ezra 7:10; Proverbs 2:1-5; Acts 17:11).
10. Bible Memory—Regularly memorize and internalize portions of Scripture for recall (Deuteronomy 6:6-7; Psalm 37:31; Proverbs 7:1-3; Matthew 4:4; Colossians 3:16).
11. Meditation on the Bible yourself because of Bible reading and study (Joshua 1:8; Psalm 1; Jeremiah 15:16; Philippians 4:8).
12. Application of the Bible—Apply the Bible to personal life circumstances (Psalm 119:56-60; Luke 6:46-49; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; James 1:22-25).
13. Taking to God (Prayer)—Pray daily on an ongoing basis (Matthew 6:6; 7:7; 21:22; John 17; Ephesians 6:18; Philippians 4:6-7; 1 Thessalonians 5:17; James 5:17; 1 John 3:22).
14. Sharing your Story (Testimony)—Learn to share how you came to trust Jesus as Savior (Luke 8:38-39; John 9:25; Acts 26:1-23; 1 John 1:3).
15. Lordship of Christ—Grow in allowing Jesus to control every area of your life (Luke 6:46; Romans 12:1-2; Colossians 1:18; Hebrews 1:2).
16. Faith – Trust God with specific needs (Romans 4:20-12, Ephesians 6:16; Hebrews 11:6; 1 John 5:4).
17. Love—Show love, concern, and compassion toward others in service (John 13:34-35; 1 Corinthians 13:4-7; 15:13; 1 John 3:17-18; 4:7-21).
18. Speaking—Demonstrate control over your tongue so encouragement is consistent (Psalm 71:15; Proverbs 18:6-7; 26:20; Ephesians 4:29; Colossians 4:6; James 1:26; 3:1-12).
19. The Use of Time—Develop the ability to manage time and schedule well (Psalm 90:10, 12; Proverbs 31:27; Ecclesiastes 3:1; Romans 13:11; Ephesians 5:15-17; James 4:14).
20. The Will of God—Seek and follow God’s direction in one’s life (Psalm 119:105; Proverbs 15:22; John 16:13; Romans 12:1-2).
21. Obeying God—Submit consistently to God’s direction with a joyful heart (1 Samuel 15:22; Psalm 119:59-60; Job 17:9; John 14:21, 23; 15:10, 14; James 4:17).
22. The Holy Spirit—Experience the working of the Holy Spirit in one’s life (Zechariah 4:6; John 14:16-17; 15:26-27; 16:7-8, 13-15; Romans 8:5-6, 16-17, 26; 12:3-8; 1 Corinthians 12:13-14; Galatians 5:22-23; Ephesians 5:18).
23. Rejecting Satan (our enemy)—Stand against the enemy and help others do the same (Isaiah 14:12-15; Matthew 4:4; John 8:44; 2 Corinthians 2:11; 4:3-4; 10:3-5; Ephesians 6:10-18; 1 Peter 5:8-9; 1 John 4:4).
24. Dealing with Sin—Be willing to share areas of sin with others for accountability and develop a plan of action to overcome sin (Mark 14:38; Romans 13:14; Ephesians 6:10-20; Colossians 3:9-10; 1 Peter 1:14-16; 1 John 1:9).
25. Forgiveness—Accept God’s forgiveness and be willing to forgive others (Psalm 32:1; Matthew 5:23-24; 18:15; 1 John 1:9).
26. Second Coming of Christ—Be secure in your understanding that Jesus is returning to establish his kingdom (John 14:2-3; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; Titus 2:11-14; 1 John 3:2-3; Revelation 19:11-16).
27. Sharing Our Faith—Initiate sharing the good news with others (Proverbs 28:1; 11:30; John 4; Acts 8:35; Romans 1:16; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Colossians 1:28-29; 2 Timothy 4:1-2).
28. Following Up to Sharing Faith—Encourage those with whom you have shared the gospel (Colossians 1:28; 2 Timothy 1:3; 2:2; 3 John 4).
29. Giving Financially—Give money regularly to the Lord’s work (Proverbs 3:9-10, 27; 11:24-25; Malachi 3:10; Luke 6:38; 2 Corinthians 8:9; 9:6-8; Galatians 6:6).
30. Becoming a World Christian—Show interest and concern for the whole world coming to know Jesus (Isaiah 6:8; Matthew 9:35-28; 28:18-20; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:47; John 20:21; Acts 1:8).
What do you think? Does this seem like a long list? Are there any objectives you would remove? Any you would add? What is your plan for coming alongside the next generation?
For more information, you can check out Together: Adults and Teenagers Transforming the Church. This list comes from an Appendix in the back of the book.
