Jesus spent three years with at least 12 people, and later 70 (or perhaps 120), 'making disciples'. When he died they were left to carry on his mission. As this mandate falls to us, how do we 'make disciples' today?
We live in a global village where some have access to billions of web pages whilst others can't access a single piece of printed paper. Has globalisation helped or hindered the process of making disciples? Has the web, for example, helped your own discipleship or simply complicated it? There is a unique UK developed resource containing over 3,000 web pages and several hours of video clips that is devoted to discipleship in the 21st Century. It has users including mission partners in 20 different countries! Its name ... Foundations21.
In many places around the world, the depth of Christian discipleship is depressingly low. Foundations21 was built on the vision that a web based resource would be much more flexible and portable than a paper based one. Several thousand people have already used it to deepen their discipleship. They've taken responsibility for their own learning and growth whilst enlisting the help of a mentor.
As a mission partner, could you use a web based disipleship resource as part of your ministry or as a means of mentoring others?
'Others' might include colleagues or local people. If they have Internet access it might include people at home! Have you ever thought of the power of mentoring a new Christian whom you cannot meet regularly? Foundations21 could give them an unique perspective of the international network of believers as they develop their own faith? The advantage of 'remote' mentoring is particularly important when you can't meet with someone very regularly.
And what about your own discipleship?
We often learn as we teach! If you had access to several thousand pages of Bible based material and several hours of short video clips for personal study or as a stimulus for learning and teaching, would you be interested?
The Foundations21 site, which is completely free (originally it was pay as you go), is increasingly being mined by Christian workers around the world. It has varying levels of challenge both in what knowledge it assumes and what information it offers. There are worship, devotional and prayer elements including a different area of the world to pray for each week. There is nothing quite like it on the web, not least because of its use of learning styles.
A disciple is a learner 
A disciple is a learner. Look at yourself. What kind of learner are you? Do you look back on those ordered teaching sessions you listened to where everything was laid out so neatly and clearly? Or do you love the idiosyncratic kind of encounter with an unusual Christian who is refreshingly stimulating. Or is it the stories of changed lives that have always got you going. Or perhaps you are the kind of person who skims a newspaper (if you can get one) with great speed before getting on with the next bit of creative work. Not many books or Christian resources are upfront about the learning style they adopt. This one is. In fact, uniquely, you can choose one of four learning styles, corresponding to the four gospels, to go through the same 12 topics.
For example the Mark pathway, like the gospel, is simple, compact and direct (and can be good for new Christians) whereas the John pathway is complex and deep (and good for people who want to be stretched). The Luke pathway emphasises the people in the story, whereas the Matthew pathway is ordered and practical. All bring different insights to discipleship.
The site has other elements that aid Bible study such as a time chart, a word list and maps. There are video clips with input from church leaders mainly from the UK. There are thousands of links to material on other web sites. There is the opportunity to keep a journal and store your responses to the assignments which you can do as you go along. The basic pedagogy is that you take charge of your own learning; that discipleship is an ongoing journey - a lifelong journey. Christian disciples are lifelong learners.
