The Disciplemaking Genius of Jesus (Part 4): Withness

By Bill Allison and Dave Garda- Cadre International Minisries(Posted with permission.)

See also:  Part 1, Part 2 , Part 3

Dear Sir,

I am writing in response to your request for additional information in box number three on the accident reporting form. I had put “poor planning” in that box as the cause of my accident. You said in your letter that I should explain more fully so I hope the following details will be sufficient.

 I am a bricklayer by trade and on the day of the accident I was working alone on the roof of a new six story building. When I had completed my work I discovered that I had about 500 pounds of bricks left over. Rather than carry them down by hand I decided to lower them down by using a pulley, which was fortunately attached to the side of the building at the sixth floor. Securing the rope at ground level, I went back to the roof and attached a barrel to hold the bricks. I swung the barrel out over the side of the building and loaded the bricks into it.

 I went back down to ground level and untied the rope holding the barrel. I held the rope tightly to ensure a slow descent of the 500 pounds of bricks. You will note in box number two of the accident reporting form that I weigh 165 pounds. Due to my surprise at being jerked from the ground so suddenly, I lost my presence of mind and forgot to let go of the rope. Needless to say I proceeded at a rather rapid rate up the side of the building. In the vicinity of the third floor I met the barrel coming down. This explains the fractured skull and broken collar bone. Slowed only slightly I continued my rapid ascent, not stopping until the fingers on my right hand were two knuckles-deep into the pulley. Fortunately by this time I had regained my presence of mind and was able to hold tightly to the rope, despite my pain.

 At approximately the same time, however, the barrel of bricks hit the ground and the bottom fell out of it. Deprived of the weight of the bricks, the barrel now weighed about 50 pounds. Once again I refer you to my weight in box number two. As you might well imagine, I began a rapid descent down the side of the building. In the vicinity of the third floor I met the barrel coming up. This accounts for the two fractured ankles and the lacerations on my legs and lower parts of my body. The encounter with the barrel slowed me enough to lessen my injuries, so that when I fell on the pile of bricks only three vertebrae were cracked.

 I am sorry to report, however, that as I lay on the ground, unable to stand, and seeing the barrel six stories above me, I once again lost my presence of mind… and I let go of the rope.

Sincerely, Bobby Bricklayer

 So whatʼs the point?

Never do life or ministry alone. Donʼt even try it. Jesus didnʼt. Jesus put the C in DLC.

 Leading Indicator #3:  A DLC is a place of deep community& friendships.

“He appointed twelve—designating them apostles—they they might be with him….” —Mark 3:14

 “A new command I give you to you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know you are my disciples, if you love one another.” —Jesus in John 13:34-35

 Jesus showed his disciples how to love God, love people, and make disciples by living in community with them.

 Mutual Community

While Jesus did have one-on-one encounters with people, Jesus clearly sought to make disciples in a small community of disciples who became disciplemakers. We call this community of disciplemakers a DLC. Itʼs so important, weʼll say it again: A Disciplemaking Learning Community is not simply an ingredient for making disciples like Jesus—itʼs how Jesus made disciples. In our Disciplemaking Is Relationships training, we refer to this deep community with each other and the Holy Spirit as mutual community. Jesus-like disciplemaking is first and foremost about relationships—being with God and each other— together. Therefore, a DLC must become a place of deep community and friendships.

This means that an authentic DLC is not a topic-driven gathering. For example, if someone doesnʼt come to your DLC gathering primarily because he/she isnʼt interested in the topic youʼre havering over that day, then you know that person doesnʼt understand what it means to be a part of a DLC. On the other hand, a person who understands the true communal nature of a DLC will come to a gathering primarily because of his/her commitment to Jesus and to the community of people in the DLC—regardless of the topic for that gathering.

 Withness

Because of this strong sense of biblical community, the feel of a DLC is “withness.” That is, a DLC is not something we do “to” people or “for” them, but rather we humbly experience it “with” God and them. Stop and think about this for a moment. Our normal mode of operation tends to be do something “for” or “to” people. True confession: For years when I taught Sunday school or tried to lead my family in a short Bible study, it felt like I was doing it “to” people or “for” them. Did I teach the Word? Yes. Did we all experience a deep place of community and friendships? No. Why? Withness—humbly trying to follow Jesus together—was missing. Itʼs this sense of “withness” with God and each other that helps foster a biblical sense of community. A sense of “withness” helps us to connect to Jesus and each other at the heart-level. A sense of “withness” is required for a DLC. When was the last time you experienced this sense of “withness”?

Let me clarify: A biblical sense of community requires not just an abundant amount of encouragement but also loving accountability. Accountability to what? Loving God, loving people, and making disciplemakers like Jesus. Itʼs precisely on these points that a real DLC will speak lovingly and truthfully into each otherʼs lives. Everyone desires encouragement. Few are willing to risk speaking lovingly and truthfully into each otherʼs lives. A DLC requires both—encouragement and speaking the truth in love because both are required for community and deep friendships. This is what puts the community into a Disciplemaking Learning Community.

 Stop and Consider

How many were in Jesusʼ DLC? Now ask yourself, “Why?” I believe that everyone in a DLC is more apt to experience community, learn, and multiply what theyʼre learning if the DLC is smaller rather than larger. Itʼs counterintuitive to our 21st century Western minds but itʼs true: a larger group is more likely to impede the potential for community, learning, and multiplication. Again, I ask you to consider the disciplemaking genius of Jesus.

No deep community and friendships = not a DLC.

 Pause, Ponder, and Discuss

 Pause:

A DLC is not something we do “to” people or “for” them, but rather we humbly experience it “with” God and them.

 Ponder your DLC: “

to………………………………..………..for………………………………..………..with

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Discuss your thoughts.

Real Life DLC Stories:

A younger disciplemaker writes to an older disciplemaker in his DLC…

I’m thankful for your input into my life. I’m thankful for your participation in our DLC. Iʼm thankful for the example you have set for us younger guys about how to love your wife, raise your family, and intersect these relationships with Jesus. Iʼm thankful for the opportunity to get to know you. Now, I am most excited for more people to have the privilege of spending time with you as you step into another DLC.

 The Disciplemaking Genius of Jesus © 2011 Cadre Ministries