Sending Path · Introduction to Serving · Lesson 7: Raising Up the Next Person · Raising Up the Next Person
This lesson in one sentence: Disciples raise up disciples; IntoOne only helps people prepare—the actual sending is done by each person’s own church.
Timing (about 60 minutes)
- Opening5 min
- Read Together10 min
- Discussion20 min
- Next steps15 min
- Pray for One Another10 min
Opening
What do you carry that someone passed on to you, and that you want to pass on too?
Read Together
He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to the whole creation.”
Mark 16:15 · WEB
Go and make disciples of all nations
Matthew 28:19 · WEB
Discussion
- “Go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19)—how is ‘making disciples’ different from ‘coming to faith’?
- “if I preach the Good News, I have nothing to boast about, for necessity is laid on me” (1 Corinthians 9:16)—what makes you feel you ‘cannot do otherwise’ than raise up the next person?
- Who might be the ‘next person’ you raise up?
This Week
Go and see your pastor (or the person who leads you), tell them you have finished the Sending Path, and ask: where does the church need me? Then invite someone to walk the Seeking Path or the New Believer’s Path with you next time.
Each person says which pastor or leader they will go to see this week, and whom they would like to invite to walk the Seeking Path or the New Believer’s Path with them next time.
Closing
The leader prays for each member by name (only those who have been asked and are willing), entrusting them to their own churches.
Tips for the leader
- Say it once more: this group does not ordain, does not assign anyone, and issues no certificates; service and sending are confirmed by each person’s own church.
- If someone does not have a regular church yet, help them find one after the session.
- Agree on next time: who is willing to co-lead a Seeking Path group with someone experienced.
General principles for leaders
- The leader is not a teacher but someone who walks alongside everyone.
- Give everyone a chance to speak; with someone who talks a lot, you can gently say, ‘Let’s also hear from friends who haven’t spoken yet.’
- Don’t rush to give answers. If someone is silent, wait a few more seconds.
- For a question you can’t answer, you can say, ‘I don’t know either; let’s look it up together,’ and note it down for next time.
- What is said in the group stays in the group.
- At the opening, the leader can give their own answer first, showing that it can be simple and honest.