The Art of Effective Challenging

Summary

This session from 'Building Spiritual Movement' delves into the art of effective challenging in evangelism and disciple making. It emphasizes the importance of encouraging individuals to deepen their commitment to Christ. The video draws on Jesus' approach, illustrating how he discerned individuals' spiritual states and progressively challenged them. It outlines four elements of an effective challenge: creating thirst, offering information, clarifying the course, and asking for a specific response. The session also provides practical examples and stresses the need for ongoing support as individuals respond to challenges.

Takeaways

• 🌟 Challenging people is about encouraging them to pursue a higher level of commitment in their spiritual journey.
• 🔍 Jesus demonstrated insight into people's spiritual state and used that insight to challenge them to new levels of commitment.
• 📢 The first step in challenging someone is to invite them to 'come and see', as Jesus did with his disciples.
• 🛠 The ultimate challenge from Jesus to his disciples was to take up their cross and follow him, symbolizing a commitment to face persecution and death.
• 👥 Jesus challenged his disciples individually and in groups, using different approaches based on their needs and circumstances.
• 🤔 Effective challenging involves helping someone recognize their spiritual needs and consider taking action to address them.
• 💡 Creating a sense of 'thirst' or need is crucial in challenging people; this can be done by asking thought-provoking questions or sharing personal testimonies.
• 📚 Offering information to quench the thirst created by the challenge is essential; this helps individuals make informed decisions about their spiritual growth.
• 🗣️ Clarifying the course of commitment is vital; leaders must be transparent about what they are asking individuals to commit to.
• ✅ Asking for a specific response ensures that the challenge is clear and that individuals understand the expected next steps in their spiritual journey.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the session on building spiritual movement?

The main focus is on the art of effective challenging in both evangelism and disciple making.

Why is challenging people considered important in spiritual growth?

Challenging people is important because it encourages them to pursue a greater level of involvement or commitment with Christ.

How does Jesus demonstrate effective challenging in the script?

Jesus demonstrated effective challenging by discerning where people were spiritually and inviting them to new levels of commitment through sequential steps.

What does the phrase 'a little salt in his oats' imply in the context of challenging people?

The phrase suggests that a small but significant action or encouragement can greatly influence someone's willingness to engage more deeply.

How did Jesus progressively challenge his disciples?

Jesus progressively challenged his disciples by inviting them to 'come and see', then to 'follow me', and ultimately to 'take up their cross and follow him'.

What is the significance of the cross in the context of the disciples' commitment?

The cross symbolizes a commitment that involves facing mockery, persecution, and even death as part of discipleship.

How did Jesus personalize his approach to challenging his disciples?

Jesus personalized his approach by using different methods for different individuals, sometimes in a group setting and sometimes one-on-one.

What is the role of creating 'thirst' in the process of challenging people?

Creating 'thirst' involves making people aware of their needs and stimulating their interest in finding solutions or taking action.

What are some methods to create 'thirst' as mentioned in the script?

Methods include asking good questions, sharing personal testimony, involving in life experiences, and modeling through personal lifestyle.

Why is it important to offer information after creating 'thirst'?

Offering information is important to provide people with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions about how to meet their needs.

What does the acronym COCA stand for in the context of effective challenging?

COCA stands for Create, Offer, Clarify, and Ask, which are the four elements of an effective challenge.

How can the art of challenging be applied to both pre-believers and believers?

For pre-believers, it involves creating 'thirst' before sharing the gospel, while for believers, it's about challenging them to take further steps in their relationship with Christ.