Can we help set the genetic code of a generation?
God seems to be sweeping through the younger generations (Millennials and GenZ) like He did with Boomers. Can we help them do better?
Reports from the 2023 Asbury “revival” — along with similar accounts from colleges, universities, and churches across the country — suggest that another period of spiritual awakening or in-gathering among younger generations is underway. Many are coming to faith in Jesus and taking their initial steps into life and ministry.
As a boomer who experienced a similar movement in the past, I am eager to see what God will accomplish through this season. Like many older adults, I hope the next generation of believers and leaders will build wisely, steering clear of the many traps and dead ends that my generation has often encountered.
For the past 20 years, I have felt a strong urgency to pray for these young people and prepare for this moment. I’ve become convinced that these young believers, more than anything else, are seeking to move beyond the outward structures, hype, and cultural drama of contemporary Christianity. They are searching for the genuine reality of Jesus—a reality that, just like for the first disciples, is found in a relationship with the person of Jesus, who invites us to come and follow Him.
My Proposal: Let’s support the next generation by helping them lay solid foundations as intentional disciples of Jesus. In this post, I will provide a clear and concise overview of the key principles at the core of the Intentional Disciples of Jesus content and the small group model that I offer as a resource to help a new generation lay good foundations.
While the 13 chapters of the Intentional Disciples of Jesus book, the Discussion Guide & Prayer Journal, and the 7 lessons in the Power Ministry with Jesus course explore a wide range of topics and scriptures in depth, this summary focuses on the most essential concepts and convictions. My hope is that these essential concepts and conviction about Jesus and the life He calls us to will inspire and equip this generation to a sincere and enduring devotion to Jesus and faithful obedience to Him.
First, for each believer intentional discipleship to Jesus means making a deliberate choice to follow the way of Jesus and engage with Him in our daily lives, just as His first disciples did. The difference is that while they experienced Jesus in His physical body, we interact with Him through His indwelling Spirit. In every other meaningful way, our relationship with Him is the same as theirs.
Second, an Intentional Disciples of Jesus small group sees itself as a continuation of that original group of disciples. Like them, we do not relate to Jesus as a mere idea or ideal but as a living person with whom we share a concrete relationship. In this relationship, we worship Him, hear His voice, learn from Him, and minister alongside Him by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Third, the Intentional Disciples of Jesus material and small group experience are designed to establish the foundations necessary for a lifetime following Jesus. It is a priority for every new disciple of Jesus to grow in their understanding of the Bible’s perspective on God, themselves, and the world, while cultivating habits and skills modeled by Jesus—essentials for living as His disciples.
Fourth, the Intentional Disciples of Jesus book provides essential biblical understanding and perspective on five major ideas that will shape the rest of your life.
Our Relationship with Jesus: The nature of our relationship with Jesus today is fundamentally the same as the relationship experienced by His first disciples.
The Goal of the Gospel: The gospel of the kingdom is the announcement that God has done everything needed to achieve the full restoration of our relationship with Himself, our identity, and our purpose as His image bearers in creation.
God’s New Creation Began in Jesus: Through Jesus, God the Father addressed the sin of Adam and its devastating consequences and launched the renewal of all creation. In Jesus, humanity is given a fresh start. As the second Adam, Jesus embodies God’s design for true human life. When we are born again by the Holy Spirit, we begin a transformative journey to live this new life in Him—a life that will find its full expression in the new heaven and new earth where we will rule and reign with Jesus, recovering our original purpose as those created in the image of God.
Jesus’ Modeled the Restored Human Life: We can structure the principles and practices of Jesus’ life into a clear framework that serves as a guide for our own lives. This model consists of one allegiance, two purposes, three roles, four guiding beliefs, and five daily practices.
Jesus’ Ongoing Ministry in the Power of the Holy Spirit: Spiritual gifts are not to be understood as spiritual augmentations to do works of power. Instead, they are expressions of Jesus at work, partnering with us, as he continues His ministry to others through us, just as He did with His first disciples.
Fifth, the Intentional Disciples of Jesus materials and small group experience help establish the habits and skills needed to live as a disciple of Jesus.
For example:
Practicing Jesus’ Presence: To address the challenge of “out of sight, out of mind,” we learn to intentionally and consistently turn our attention to Jesus throughout the day. This practice is not about imagining His presence but about embracing the biblical truth that He truly dwells within every believer through His Spirit and then acting as though we believed this was true.
Hearing Jesus Speak: The Bible makes it clear that every believer has both the right and the ability to hear Jesus speak, as He said, “My sheep hear My voice.” Learning to hear His voice involves cultivating the habit of listening to Jesus speak within scripture, in our hearts, and through the words and actions of other disciples.
Partnering with Jesus in His Ministry: Jesus revealed the tangible love and power of His Father to the hurting and broken people around Him during His earthly ministry with the first disciples. He quickly involved them in this mission and commissioned them to pass this ministry on to future generations of disciples. According to Paul every believer is to be equipped for the work of ministry (Ephesians 4:11-13) and the effective work of every person is essential for the health and growth of the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12-14). We learn to minister with Jesus in the power of the Spirit of God in the safe context of a small group as we learn together to listen for Jesus' voice and pray for one another.
Summary of the Intentional Disciples of Jesus Materials
Discussion Guide & Prayer Journal: A printed resource designed for individuals and small groups, that integrates with two online teaching content sources. The print book also includes a three-chapter Small Group Leader’s Field Guide.
Intentional Disciples of Jesus Book: A 13-chapter exploration of key principles and practices.
Power Ministry of Jesus Course: A 7-lesson series focused on understanding and applying Jesus’ ministry.
Additional Resources:
Intentional Disciples of Jesus Blog: Articles on related topics.
Intentional Disciples of Jesus Podcast: Discussions and insights to support your journey.