Alongsider Coaching Notes - CWK (WP)
Alongsider Coaching Notes - CWK (WP)
Alongsider Coaching Notes - CWK (WP)
Coaching Notes
The Ways of the Alongsider
Introduction
The Ways of the Alongsider is a unique discipleship experience. It is more than a book to
read, a class to teach, or information to gain. The Ways of the Alongsider is designed to
model the life2life disciplemaking experience. Coaching people through The Ways of the
Alongsider is based on the simple expression of R + 2D + 2A = personal change.
R stands for relationships. You are a guide in the discipleship process, coming alongside
people, helping them to discover principles about discipling others. Coaching people
through this material is maximized by doing it one-on-one or in a small group where
relationships of trust and accountability can be developed.
2D is for discovery and discussion. The material is designed for personal discovery not
as lecture notes for a classroom. It is expected that the participants will complete each of
the chapter assignments. Personal study fosters personal discovery, that aha moment
generated by the Holy Spirit. If the material is considered as lecture notes for a class,
discovery is diminished and personal ownership extinguished. Discoveries are meant to
be shared in discussion. Without the exchange of insights and questions, its easy to
settle for a monologue, thwarting true change.
2A describes application and accountability. The Ways of the Alongsider is not an exercise
in gathering information but an application journey. Without application, there is no
blessing or change (James 1:22-25). The Ways of the Alongsider expects people to apply
their discoveries to someone theyre an alongsider to. Were trusting God to turn
theory into practical realities.
Accountability holds peoples feet to the fire. Accountable relationships of trust
encourage follow-through and faithfulness to ones application. A lecture format does
not foster accountability.
To help you succeed as an alongsider coach, this material highlights the learning goals
for each chapter, identifies the critical questions to discuss, and gives direction for
review and accountability. The alongsider adventure begins when you recruit a friend
or a small group to engage in this study together. Remember, R + 2D + 2A = change.
Discussion questions
How do you feel about the concept of a ministry amateur?
How can being an amateur free people for discipling others?
What pictures hang in your mind about making disciples?
What is your response to the idea of an alongsider?
How do you feel about becoming an alongsider to someone?
How is life2life ministry different from other ministry approaches?
Who has ministered to you in life2life ways?
Why do you think disciplemaking is so important the church growth?
Which approaches on page 6 (traditional verse way of the alongsider) do you feel
most comfortable with?
Consider the description of an alongsider on the top of page 6. Do you see yourself
making disciples in this way?
Complete the assessment on page 8.
What strengths did you discover?
What are some areas of growth for yourself?
What is one goal you would like to have in studying this material?
Review
Discuss together the Alongsiders Checkup on page 24.
Discussion questions
How would you describe the importance of prayer in your life?
What did you learn from the example of Jesus prayer life?
Discuss questions #2 - 3.
Discuss questions #6 - 8.
How can the prayers of Jesus and Paul inform and shape your prayer life?
Jesus and Paul parted the heavens with their macro prayers. They focused on the
big picture of the Christian life. What can you discover about the big picture of
prayer (macro prayer) from their prayer examples?
What is the typical micro prayers of most people? (hint: finances and health).
Why is macro prayer so important to the prayer life of an alongsider?
Review the summary box (#9) on page 24.
Application
Discuss #10 -11 together.
Help people experience authenticity by having them share their timelines from the
assignment on page 30. You could ask people to do this same assignment with the
people theyre an alongsider to.
Application
Discuss together the Alongsiders Take Action on page 30.
Review
Discuss the Alongsider Checkup on page forty.
Discussion questions
Discuss the priority of the Word in Jesus life (question #1).
Discuss #2.
Review the word path in #3 and discuss #4.
Discuss #5.
Share answers to #6.
How would you describe the importance of meditation on the word in your life?
What practical tools do you use to meditate on the Scriptures?
Review the observation-investigation-application process of pages 39-40. How can
this process help you meditate on the Word?
Do the process of meditation together. You could spend time meditating on Joshua
1:8, Psalm 1:1-3, Psalm 119:1-5, or Colossians 3:16-17. Choose one passage to
meditate on together.
Application
During this next week, when is a time that you could use this meditation process? What
passage of Scripture will you meditate on?
Discuss #1 - 2.
Review the question ladder. On this ladder, what types of questions do you typically
ask?
How does the question ladder help you ask different types of questions?
Why is a diverse set of questions important to ask as an alongsider?
Practice together. Pick a topic (being a friend of God, evangelism, serving people, etc.)
and go up the ladder asking questions about this topic. Place the topic in the blank
spaces of the question ladder.
Discuss questions #5 - 6.
Review the three Ps on page 47. Is this a new approach for you in making
application?
How can this simple process help you personalize the word?
What was helpful about the specific ways to make an application in center of page 47.
Application
Discuss together the Alongsiders Take Action assignment.
Appendix I provides resources for discipling another. Review the list together. What
other resources could you add? Which ones can be helpful to now use in your
alongsider ministry?
Additional copies of The Ways of the Alongsider can be purchased on-line at:
www.artfulministry.com. For information about sponsoring an Alongsider Coaching
Clinic, contact Bill Mowry at [email protected].