WHAT IS A DISCIPLESHIP COHORT?
A discipleship cohort is a group of like-minded believers who are committed to helping one another grow closer to God by meeting together regularly for Bible study, prayer, and edification.
Jesus commands all believers to make disciples.
Matthew 28:19-20, “Go therefore and make discipleships of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
This is the formula for making disciples.
First, we must “go.” We must be active in our part of the discipleship process. It just doesn’t happen by chance. It is a discipline. We must commit to the process. This also means that our lifestyle must reflect the gospel. People must see a difference in us. We cannot live like the world.
Second, we must “baptize.” This is evangelism. As we are going and living like Christ, a natural result is that people will see a difference in us and long for the same. This gives us opportunity to share Christ and allow God to call them to Himself. The next step to one’s salvation is baptism. We should encourage all believers to be baptized. After all, Jesus commanded it.
Third, we must be “teaching them.” This is where these discipleship cohort groups come into the picture. A discipleship cohort is not a Sunday School class. Sunday School classes are a great way to teach the Bible. However, the groups are often too large to be intentional and accountable. We must be intentional with the Word of God. We must help one another study the Scripture in context. We must teach new believers the very foundation of the faith.
Think back to when you were a new believer. What were some of the things you wished someone helped you know and understand? Maybe how to pray. Maybe how to read and understand the Bible. Maybe the reason why church is so important.
At the end of the command, Jesus promises us something. If we are faithful in making disciples who go and make other disciples, he promises us that he will always be with us. This is the motivation to do groups like this. Jesus, God Himself, will be with us!
What does a discipleship cohort look like?
– Group of 3-4 men with men and women with women
– 16 weeks
– Select a location, day of week, and time for meeting.
– Meet once a week for at least an hour.
– Pick a book of the Bible to walk through together.
– Intentionally pray for one another during the meeting.
– Multiplication
During the Spring of 2021, your Pastoral Staff committed to this and completed it back in May 2021. This past fall we had 20 different groups going with more than 60 people involved. We are not asking you to do something that we are not doing ourselves. We are all in this together. Disciples who make disciples who make disciples.
If you have an interest in joining a group or have questions, please e-mail Jacob Chilton, jacob@fbctlh.org.
