Mathetes, Greek for Learner/Pupil
Matharia, The Female Disciple
Disciple Defined
By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. – John 13:15 NIV And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. – Luke 14:27 NIV
The Narrow Gate Way
“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” – Matthew 7:13 NIV
Sequence and process can be clearly seen in the way our Lord trained the Twelve. He recognized and respected the natural order of things and patiently persevered with His disciples throughout their preparation without taking any shortcuts. He did not supernaturally pass over important stages as He shaped their lives or intervene in the natural course of human development.
Order and patience are both needed in the discipling process. It takes time for the patient acquisition of virtue. Gradually building a strong foundation in disciple making requires the patient, systematic, and methodical acquiring of wisdom, knowledge, and experience. As syndicated columnist Cal Thomas observed: “You cannot microwave a life.” – Dr. John Musselman
Be Discipled
To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” – John 8:31-32 NIV
Invitation
It takes time for an individual to understand our process for lasting replicable transformation through knowledge, skill and character. We want to ensure you know what you are saying yes to.
Join
Join in three consecutive 1-year covenants with 4-6 believers. Together you will go through the 4-phase process Jesus modeled in His ministry with our Apprentice of Jesus Curriculum.
Multiply
Many of those who complete step 2 then become actively engaging in multiplication and making disciples within their sphere of influence. We provide ongoing mentoring, training and equipping.
We, as disciples of Jesus Christ today, are responsible to carry out His Commission. To that end there are thousands of resources, developed by his followers, to help educate today’s body of Christ. Narrow Gate has attempted to gather together best practices, concepts, curriculum, documents and definitions in an organized fashion, these resources have been developed by some of the greatest biblical minds of the past centuries.
Two Differentiating Factors:
- First, is in our name “EFL” or “Equipping for Life”. When either laity or pastor complete the respective three or two-year curriculum all that changes is the frequency of our meetings. We systematically follow-up and mentor each disciple to encourage, support, and edify them much the same as Paul modeled in his three journeys.
- Secondly, just like the Twelve Disciples of Jesus each of us is gifted with a unique personality, communication style, and life experiences. Our role is not to say “this is the way, do it” but to familiarize them with The Teachings and Methods of Jesus. At the end of their initial training and equipping they have a “Disciple Makers Toolbox” to assist in building their own process. They can draw from different elements of the total curriculum to design their own strategy based on their individual leadership and facilitation style.
The Fruit of Your Commitment
This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. – John 15:8 NIV
You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. – John 15:16 NIV