How To Conduct Discipleship Training

Transforming Christians with Prior Drug and Alcohol Dependence

Rufus McDowell, D. Min.

• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Year: 2022
• Print ISBN: 9781638446491
• eBook ISBN: 9781638446507
• Topic: Theology & Religion
• Subtopic: Christian Ministry

Leadership Training In Discipleship: For Christians With Prior Drug and Alcohol Dependence

This book is resultant of my Doctor of Ministry Research Project providing a means for leaders and teachers to learn dynamics to disciple Christians that had prior drug or alcohol dependence. Before implementation of this dissertation, I discovered that there was not a definitive manual to train individuals to facilitate or conduct discipleship programming exclusive and conducive to this group. This book is not only meant to be academic; the intent is to offer concise information and instruction to aid ministers, pastors, church laity, and others delivering drug and alcohol rehabilitative pastoral care. Further, usage will aid participants in traditional church, institution, chaplaincy, prison, workplace, and other faith-based settings.

Fundamentally, this book insinuates spiritual, social, and emotional suggestions for anyone desiring development in both personal and spiritual formation. In addition, this book will equip you with biblical principles and modalities to teach holistically. These standpoints entail examination of a biblical philosophy of discipleship centered on the Great Commission and Great Commandment in developing a comprehensive strategy involving a theological and practical study and teaching approach.

Throughout this study, a small group format is emphasized for training and evaluation giving particular attention to Christ's model of discipleship with regards to facilitating and coaching. This book will aid in revealing that the culture of the church consists of a unique group of Christians, some whom have abused drugs or alcohol, served time in prison, and misunderstood in church ministries.

Preface

The contents of this book are very personal since I am an overcomer of alcohol and drug free for over twenty-five years. Throughout my military career, I relied on both drugs and alcohol to help me through tumultuous and demanding episodes of military life. In fact, I started smoking marijuana at the age of fifteen and commenced drinking alcohol beverages habitually at the age of eighteen.

I realize that this book will create a lot of controversy because I have experienced Christians that do not believe in the power of the Word of God to set people free from the strongholds of drug and alcohol dependence. Therefore, I conducted extensive research and study during the pursue of my doctor of ministry degree where I elected to formulate a ministry project regarding this subject matter.

The night that I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior, asking for God’s Spirit, and receiving forgiveness for my past sins, I was transformed and set free from the stronghold which drugs and alcohol had in my life. Consequently, I received God’s grace and mercy upon receiving deliverance and began the quest of sanctification and holiness.

I share with you that according to Oxford Dictionary, sanctification is defined as the “action of making or declaring something holy; the action or process of being freed from sin or purified.” Simply put, I accepted and realized that God had called me through His salvation and redemption where I had to make a conscious choice to become like Him by adhering to His Spirit and being a doer of His Word. From my standpoint, this entailed church attendance, Bible study, fasting, praying, daily devotions, preaching, teaching, and attending seminary so that my transformation as His disciple is continuous.

This book is written to help you teach discipleship instruction to Christians with prior drug and alcohol dependence so that they will become disciples of Jesus Christ and thus make disciples themselves. From your facilitation, they will learn and develop instructional techniques to aid them during small group discussions and dialogue. This book is jam-packed with scriptural notations and offer tutorials to help with your facilitation. Some of the chapters of the book offer quizzes and questionnaires to add to your lesson plans and outlines. However, I believe that you will benefit by using the format and biblical text presented to conduct your instruction.

This book can be read on two levels. First, it can be read by pastors, church leaders, chaplains, Christians, and church laity that are interested in discipleship ministry. It is an excellent source for seminarians and in academic settings. Secondly, it can be read by anyone with prior drug and alcohol dependence since it has been written with this audience in mind.

I do not expect everyone to agree with this methodology of overcoming alcohol and drug dependence, but I hope that you will use it as a study and supplement to your biblical training and learning. From my bout with both drug and alcohol dependence, I proclaim that I have victory in the Word concerning these issues. My victory comes from relying on and believing in the inundations of the Word of God and my intimate relationship with Jesus Christ. Remember, my friend, “you have victory in the Word.”

Chapter 1

Introduction

This book is resultant of my doctorate of ministry research project providing a means for leaders and teachers to learn principles to disciple Christians that had prior drug or alcohol dependence. Before implementation of this dissertation, I discovered that there was not a definitive book to train individuals to facilitate or conduct discipleship program exclusive and conducive to this group. This book is not only meant to be academic; the intent is to offer concise information and instruction to aid ministers, pastors, church laity, and others delivering drug and alcohol rehabilitative spiritual care. Further, usage will aid participants in traditional church, institution, chaplaincy, prison, workplace, and other faith-based settings.

Fundamentally, this book insinuates spiritual, social, and emotional suggestions for anyone desiring development in both personal and spiritual formation. In addition, this book will equip you with biblical principles and modalities to teach holistically. These standpoints entail examination of a biblical philosophy of discipleship centered on the Great Commission and Great Commandment in developing a comprehensive strategy involving a theological and practical study and teaching approach.

Throughout this study, a small group format is emphasized for training and evaluation, giving particular attention to Christ’s model of discipleship with regard to facilitating and coaching. This book will aid in revealing that the culture of the church consists of a unique group of Christians, some whom have abused drugs or alcohol, served time in prison, been abused as children, and underclassed. If you inquire, you will find many Christians that have been rehabilitated have accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior; now they need a chaplaincy or church so that they can learn Christian values and character. Through your study, this succinct and crisp book will be helpful in your ministry context to aid learners to break patterns of poor decision-making and encourage positive life choices and changes that will help them become productive followers of Christ. The call for the church or chaplaincy to make disciples of people from every nation means Christians must use their God-given gifts and abilities to be witnesses to a world in need of love and compassion.

Also, the purpose of this book is to help you develop leadership and teaching skills for discipleship training programs. Learning how to be an effective leader and facilitator is important for everyone desiring to help believers grow in faith and knowledge of Jesus Christ. The Bible states, “And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matt. 28:18–20). In this book, you will learn listening, coaching, mentoring, responsibilities, personal spiritual formation, small group management, and biblical principles with regard to making disciples.

Likewise, the purpose of this book is to make disciples, not just converts, who will observe Christ’s commands. This is the only direct imperative in this pass...

Table of contents

• Preface
• Introduction
• Rehabilitation
• The Biblical Rationale for Discipleship
• The Biblical Rationale for Equipping Laity to Disciple
• Discipleship Tutorial
• Leadership Responsibilities
• Contemporary Leadership Principles
• Leader/Follower Relationship
• Coaching
• Small Group Management
• Conclusion
• Notes