Why is this ministry needed?
We know that we need to be making disciples and we tend to think it is happening. Discipleship is a priority, but too often there isn’t a plan to carry it out. Recently Lifeway Research conducted a survey of pastors to get their input on discipleship. Just over half of pastors are satisfied with discipleship in their church and they have a plan to carry it out (52%). Over 70% say discipleship can be measured. Yet less than a third say they have a way to actually measure it in their church (30%). How can we know it is occurring?
We need a plan! The majority of pastors (89%) say the Sunday sermon is one approach for discipleship. Other popular means are Sunday School classes, small groups, and “teaching times.” Almost half (46%) note the need for increased biblical knowledge.
Face to face works best! Almost all pastors (95%) say personal relationships are needed for discipleship, with physical presence of great significance. Less than one quarter (22%) say discipleship can be as effective virtually as in person.
Christians love the Lord and the Bible. In general, they truly want to grow as disciples of Christ, they want to walk closer with the Lord, they want to know Him better. Knowing God Ministry is a discipleship tool to help them do so.
Teaching is necessary! A necessary part of discipleship, according to Christ, is to teach all that He commanded. The Bible contains the body of truth that makes up our faith. It is evident that the early church taught believers doctrine, from the Scriptures, so all would be sound in the faith. “The faith,” which accords with the word of God, is our standard for what we believe and how we function as Christians.
A tool. Knowing God Ministries is a tool of discipleship. This ministry exists to help people better understand the Bible so they will better understand the Christian faith. We want to get people interacting with the Word of God! As we study the teachings of the Bible in Knowing God Ministries we often hear believers say they were “not aware the Bible said that!” Believers need to be taught the basic doctrines of the Word of God.
The good news is that believers are reading their Bibles more than in recent history. Today 61% of church goers say they read the Bible regularly (2-3 times each week) while 31% read it daily. This is good news! People are interested in what the Bible has to say! This is a great time to be encouraging people to study the Bible.
I have been a pastor so I am aware of the time constraints and the impossibility of accomplishing all that needs to be done. I am also aware that it is difficult to carry on a comprehensive ministry of discipleship from the pulpit. Sometimes help is needed to systematically teach the basic doctrines of the faith to make sure all the believers in the church can be exposed to them and can grow as disciples of Christ. Knowing God Ministries has a basic nine part course that covers the doctrines of the Christian faith. The only source for these teachings is the Bible.
Why is this ministry needed? To help believers grow as disciples of Jesus Christ. When we understand the Bible, we will understand the Christian faith.
Gene Dahmes, teacher for Knowing God Ministries