THE SONS - FATHERS CIRCLES


For the last few years, a single question has been taking up much of my reflective time, and demanding an answer. "If the kingdom of God is all about relationships and spiritual fathering and sonship, then shouldn't the church develop people in a way consistent with the implications of this truth. Yet in every case I have seen, the church instead disciples converts on the basis of a list of basis truths that must be known, such as "Assurance of Salvation", "Bible Reading", "Prayer", "Witnessing", "Giving", etc. Of course, these things are important and must be taught. But if Biblical discipleship is really about Spiritual Fathering, then shouldn't we develop people on the basis of forming spiritual sons, and eventually spiritual fathers, and not just on the impartation of basic Bible truth?

 

After two years of praying, discussing, reflecting, and consulting, I have developed a basis discipleship ministry, that really is much more than discipleship ... it is what I believe to be a Biblical strategy for "Sons Formation" based on the way a natural son grows, the way that Jesus developed His own disciples, and the way that I believe we should be developing spiritual sons and daughters today.

 

In this first part, I submit to you the "Sons - Fathers Circles". The inner circle is the "Sons Circle", which illustrates the process that Jesus' disciples went through in relationship with Jesus, over the three and a half years that Jesus was with them. The outer circle is the "Fathers Circle", which illustrates the way that Jesus "Fathered" His disciples, over those same three and a half years. The inner and outer circles coincide with each other, showing the changing yet ongoing nature of the fathering relationship that Jesus had with His disciples.

 

 

 

 

SONS CIRCLE

FATHERS CIRCLE
Stage

Child – Adopted Son – Believer

Father – Nurturing Son
     
Verses John 1:12, NASB – "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name."

Galatians 3:26, NASB – "For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus."

Romans 8:15, NASB – "For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, ‘Abba! Father!’"

Ephesians 1:5, NASB – "He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself."

 1 Corinthians 4:15, NASB – "… in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel."

Galatians 4:19, NASB – " My children, with whom I am again in labor until Christ is formed in you."

Ephesians 6:4, KJV – "Fathers, provoke not your children to wrath,: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord."

John 1:18, NASB – "No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him."

John 14:9, NASB – "[Jesus] He who has seen Me has seen the Father."
Task Learn how to be a Christian / a brother of man and a child of God Learn how to be a spiritual father / mother representing the Father
Process Know Christ / Receive nurture Model Christ / Give nurture
Relation Child - Father / Sheep - Shepherd Father - Child / Shepherd (Pastor) - Sheep
Commit To be Pastored / Membership (Member) To Pastor
     

Stage

Disciple – Growing Son – Hearer

Teacher – Discipling Son
     
Verses Luke 2:52, NASB – "Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men."

2 Peter 3:18, NASB – "Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."

Ephesians 4:15, NASB – "Speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ."

Matthew 10:25, NASB – "It is enough for the disciple that he become like his teacher."

 Mark 6:34, NASB – "[Jesus] felt compassion for them because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and He began to teach them many things."

John 13:13, NASB – "You call Me Teacher and Lord; and you are right, for so I am."

Matthew 28:19-20, NIV – "Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you."

1 Corinthians 11:1, NIV – "Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ."
Task Learn how to be a disciple of man and God Learn how to be a spiritual teacher representing the Father
Process Grow in Christ / Learn Teach about Christ / Educate
Relation Disciple – Teacher Teacher – Disciple
Commit To be Prepared / Maturity (Apprentice) To Prepare
Stage Servant – Faithful Son – Doer Master – Empowering Son
     
Verses Matthew 10:24, NIV – "A student is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master."

1 Corinthians 4:17, NIV – "Timothy, my son whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord."

John 13:14,17, NASB – "If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. … Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them."

 John 13:13, NASB – "You call Me Teacher and Lord; and you are right, for so I am."

Matthew 25:23, NIV – "His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things."

Matthew 24:45, NIV – "Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time."
Learn Learn how to be a servant of man and God Learn how to be a spiritual master representing the Father
Task Serve Christ / Submit Demonstrate Christ / Mentor / Delegate
Relation Servant – Master Master – Servant
Commit To be Planted / Ministry (Intern) To Plant
     
Stage Friend – Covenant Son – Be-er Elder – Reproducing Son
     
Verses John 15:15, NIV – "I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you."

John 15:13, NIV – "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends."

John 15:14, NIV – "You are my friends if you do what I command."

John 15:16, NIV – "You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit – fruit that will last."

 2 Timothy 2:2, NIV – "And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses, entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others."

3 John 1:4, NASB – "I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth."

2 John 1:1, NASB – "The elder to the chosen lady and her children, whom I love in truth; and not only I, but also all who know the truth."

Proverbs 11:30, NASB – "The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who is wise wins souls."
Task Learn how to be a friend of man and God Learn how to be a spiritual elder representing the Father.
Process Bear fruit for Christ / Willing obedience Impart Christ / Coach / Nurture
Relation Friend - Friend Friend – Friend
Commit To Partner / Mission (Leader) To Partner

Romans 8:19, NIV – "The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed [manifested]."

Three Questions:

1. Where am I on the Sons Formation circles?
2. Where do I need to go next?
3. What do I need to do / what changes do I need to make to get there?

David Hibbert – October 31, 2004