SYNCHRONIZE SWIMMING . . . BUT NOT DISCIPLESHIP This edition of e.quipper focuses on equipping the saints through a look at some of the principles presented in Greg Ogden's book, DISCIPLESHIP ESSENTIALS. In conversation this last week, Greg identified three core principles that form the foundation for disciple making. First, disciple making is a relational investment NOT a synchronized program. Classes don't make disciples; only personal investment will. Discipleship is more of a discovery process than a program. If it were illustrated, it would look more like a mosaic than a flowchart. WHAT'S ESSENTIAL? Second, disciple making is about transformation and transformation is the product of three essential ingredients: 1. Vulnerable, open confessional relationships 2. Exposure to truth content 3. Accountability SPREADING THE VIRUS Third, disciple making is fundamentally about reproduction, about spreading the discipleship virus so to speak. This involves training people to disciple others to maturity. The principle is what Greg calls "transferability" and the model he recommends is a peer mentoring model rather than a hierarchical model. This model focuses on discipleship in triads moving strongly away from one-to-one, to individuals inviting two others into a side-by-side relationship as they together walk toward maturity in Christ. For more on discipleship see Greg's DISCIPLESHIP ESSENTIALS: A GUIDE TO BUILDING YOUR LIFE IN CHRIST go to www.gospelcom.net/ivpress/title/toc/1169.html.