Building Kingdom Citizens discipleship program

discipleship

why discipleship?

The focal point of Building Kingdom Citizens Discipleship is radical transformation from the inside out through practical application of the Word of God. An unfortunate and very common practice in the modern Church is plenty of hearing, studying, and learning with no action.

the statistics

2 in 5 Christians are not engaged in discipleship. 1

Only 1 percent of church leaders say “today’s churches are doing very well at discipling new and young believers. 2

Only 20 percent of Christian adults are involved in some sort of discipleship activity. 2

Barna studies indicate that millions of Christians believe that discipleship is a solo affair, with only personal and private implications. 2

1. Barna, 2022, Two in Five Christians are Not Engaged Discipleship, 23/02/2024, {https://www.barna.com/research/christians-discipleship-community/}

2. Barna, 2015, New Research On the State of Discipleship, 23/02/2024, {https://www.barna.com/research/new-research-on-the-state-of-discipleship/}

the mandate

It’s easy to memorize a verse, study the historical context, and take a test. However, if we examine Scripture, Jesus didn’t disciple the original 12 this way. His practical method worked with anyone who was willing; no matter their IQ, schooling, upbringing, gender, age, or social background. Anyone can become a disciple because all it takes is a willing heart, true surrender, repentance, and accountability.

The disciples were ready and did follow Jesus at all costs. It was a matter of immediate application to the written (logos) Word and spoken (rhema) Word of Christ. Knowing what to do is just the starting point of real discipleship, then you actually have to do what it says. We are commanded to “Go and make disciples” as Jesus stated in Matthew 28:18-20. It was a mandate, not a suggestion.

the practical strategy

Most of the BKC Discipleship Curriculum is built around a series of lessons followed up by an extensive curriculum packet filled with Scripture, teaching, and questions. Each person in the small group, including BKC Leadership, must complete the questions independently and then share with the group. These multilayer questions prompt discovery, admittance, confession, and true repentance about what you practically plan to do to change. Each small group member also gets regular one-on-one sessions with their BKC Leaders to evaluate their progress and stay accountable.

How You're Graded

Unlike other discipleship programs, BKC’s grading system works based on real change in your speech and behavior. You’re “measured” based on the transformation that is evident and obvious to the BKC leadership. All your other small group members will see and celebrate your change too.

You cannot successfully go through this discipleship program “faking the funk” or “going through the motions” because of how the classes and curriculum are structured. You will naturally produce public Godly fruit as a result of your commitment and willingness to this Biblical process.

what to expect

meeting schedule

Every small group first goes through a 7 Day Kingdom Revival bootcamp. You are required to attend a lesson for 7 days in a row, at the agreed upon dates and times by the small group. After this bootcamp, each small group meets once per week, at the agreed upon date and time by the small group members. No matter if it’s a teaching lesson or group discussion, the meeting length is approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes each session. In addition, each member of the group will have randomly scheduled one-on-one meetings, in person or remotely, with their BKC Leaders for accountability and their transformation progress. These meetings are also important for any areas that private and confidential information may need to be shared and discussed that would not be appropriate for the small group setting.

meeting location

You are absolutely required to attend in-person if you are local within a 1 hour driving distance of St. Louis, MO; unless your small group BKC Leaders are traveling out of town and have to lead the meeting remotely. The current in-person meeting place is located in South County St. Louis area off of Baptist Church Road. If you live in another State or further than 1 hour drive of St. Louis; you will video call in remotely to all meetings.

approximate timeline

The BKC Discipleship Program is currently 13 classes, and 11 have a curriculum packet with interactive discussion questions. Each class has a different amount of lessons and discussion questions. Most importantly, we are unable to rush change. It takes time and each small group is approximately five to ten people. One week a small group may complete several questions, and another week only one or two. Therefore, we are unable to give an exact timeline of when you and your small group will complete the program. Based on the trend we’ve seen so far, it’ll most likely be 3 years. Lastly, the BKC Founders are currently developing a follow up to the Discipleship curriculum titled “Empowerment.” All small groups will be expected to commit and transition into this next curriculum phase once they complete the current Discipleship program. More information will be provided in the coming months.

basic rules

Once you join the Discipleship program, each small group meeting is mandatory. The reason for this strict requirement is you need to build a healthy habit of sacrificing your will and way for God’s will and way. Becoming a real disciple is anything but easy; it’s going to cost you everything. If you allow life distractions and entertainment to get in the way of a weekly meeting that only lasts for an hour and a half; you are simply not truly committed or ready to become a real disciple. You are going to have to sacrifice far more than one and a half hours per week to truly do His Will and “Go and make disciples.” The BKC Leaders review any meeting absence requests on a case by case basis. Typically, the only common small group absences allowed are for true emergencies. All information shared within the small groups is required and expected to remain strictly confidential. You are NOT allowed to share anything about another group member outside of your group. Also, you are NOT allowed to have private conversations about other group members when they are not physically present. Becoming a real disciple is the hardest journey one will ever take as a Christian. Each person deserves the utmost respect and compassion as they share their embarrassing failures and hidden struggles. As a small group member, you are never allowed to correct another person in the group or give advice, only the BKC Leaders are allowed to correct and advise. You are always welcome to encourage each other, but that’s it. The reason is, no matter how much you have been through and overcome, you have never been through this Discipleship program and therefore do not have the full understanding and empathy of what it’s like to go through it yet. The Discipleship program is extensive, visual, detailed and strategically set up to guide you through the process of real transformation. You are not allowed to pick and choose what classes you want to take; you have to go through the whole program in order with your small group. Unfortunately, not everyone who starts with the Discipleship program, finishes the program. If for any reason you drop out of your small group, you will have to start the program all over again from the beginning. You’ll be assigned with a new small group should you decide to return.

Class topics

Below are the class topics that are part of the BKC Discipleship Program. The first three classes are introductory. The remaining classes are for those who officially commit to the process. Please click below to learn more about each class and curriculum.

Class 01

Kingdom Revival

We as Christians often sit in church each Sunday, listen to a message, and go home to our own lives having no real transformation. So then, what's missing?

Class 02

God's Will or My Will Part One

Do you love your life more than God? In John 12:25 it says, "Those who love their life in this world will lose it.

Class 03

God's Will or My Will Part Two

So you want to follow God, but what exactly does He want you to do?

Class 04

Discipline and Correction

In Hebrews 12:6, it says, "The Lord disciplines the one He loves, and chastens everyone He accepts as His son."

Class 05

Wilderness

In the modern American church and perhaps other parts of the world, there is a counterfeit mindset that a Christian’s life is supposed to always be prosperous and easy.

Class 06

The Kingdom of God

What is the Kingdom of God? How does it relate to me?

Class 07

Entering the Kingdom

Entering the Kingdom of God is a very serious matter. Jesus said to the Pharisee Nicodemus in John 3:3 “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.”

Class 08

What is Love

Seriously though, what is love?? Unfortunately, our culture, upbringing, and life experiences have infected our perspective.

Class 09

Change Your Mind

As humans, we are not bound to remain the same, blaming everyone else around us for being just “the way we are”. Real change may be difficult, but it’s definitely not impossible. We can change our mind.

Class 10

Unoffendable

In the Kingdom of God, holding onto offense is a huge deal. We often dismiss both the small and large offenses that are sitting inside our soul.

Class 11

Intimidation

How do you feel when someone challenges your faith? What thoughts come rushing through your mind?

Class 12

Judgment Day

Did you know that regardless of if you accepted Jesus or not, you will experience a Judgement Day before God?

Class 13

Evangelism Training

If the average Christian or churchgoer is honest, evangelism is scary.

Class 14

Empowerment

Many well-meaning Christians today struggle with leading and truly discipling others. It doesn’t make them mean people, they’ve simply been ill-equipped and misled.