Reflections on Emotionally Healthy Discipleship by Peter Scazzero  Part 2:  Chapter 9: “Lead Out of Weakness and Vulnerability” In reflecting on the elements of transformation in the environment of the micro group, we (GDI) have stressed that an open, honest transparency is a required. Why? It is only are we apply the truth of God’s word to where we actually live that it can change us. A major reason to keep the groups small (3s and 4s) is so that a non-condemning, grace-filled atmosphere of unshockable trust can form.  Peter Scazzero reinforces this truth in Chapter 9 of Emotionally Healthy Discipleship , “Lead Out of Weakness and Vulnerability”.  What a breath of fresh air! We can actually live out of our brokenness before a God who embraces us as prodigals who admit that we “have sinned against heaven and before you, and are no longer worthy to be called your son (daughter).” As soon we cast ourselves at Jesus’ feet, he showers us with repeated kisses. King David had come to

 Love Your Enemies In one micro group that I am in, using The Essential Commandment  by Dr. Greg Ogden as the tool, we focused on Romans 12:20-21.  "Instead, if your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads. Don't let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good."  We meet on Zoom each month across more than 3000 miles. What always continues to amaze me after over 10 years of being in micro groups is the awareness of new concepts. Some of us researched the origin of "heaping burning coals of shame" and others brought up boundaries in Chapter 11. Within 24 hours, two other resources I watched reinforced the principles, commands, and concepts we had reviewed. When God repeats, He gets my attention! Andy Stanley explains how some repay good for evil; others want revenge by repaying evil for evil; and yet others are remarkable by repaying good for evil.

 Who is Greg Ogden? Greg Ogden  is “retired” or better yet “redeployed” (as of March, 2012) from professional church leadership. He now lives out his passion of speaking, teaching, and writing about the disciple-making mission of the church. Most recently Greg served as Executive Pastor of Discipleship at Christ Church of Oak Brook, IL. in the Chicago western suburbs. From 1998-2002, Greg held the position of Director of the Doctor of Ministry Program at Fuller Theological Seminary and Associate Professor of Lay Equipping and Discipleship. Prior to coming to Fuller, Greg enjoyed 24 years in pastoral ministry. He is the author of six books:  Essential Guide to Becoming a Disciple  (Intervarsity Press, 2016);  Transforming Discipleship: Making Disciples a Few at a Time  (Intervarsity Press, 2016);  The Essential Commandment: A Guide to Loving God and Others  (InterVarsity Press, 2011);  Discipleship Essentials: A Guide to Building Your Life in Christ  (InterVarsity Press, 2007);  Leaders

 Start off well!  How? Getting off to the right start will lay the groundwork for a healthy group Follow the steps suggested. It will make your life easier. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ob9q-xGpqtw

  Transform to become the person you were created to be!  If we want to be Christian disciples who mature and multiply, we need to keep it simple. Making disciples of Jesus Christ is not easy. That takes focused investment over time, led by the Spirit of God instead of our own "trying harder" by human effort. Surrender.  There are no microwave disciples What we mean is the context or environment in which disciples are made. That system of intentional reproduction need not be so complex that the multiplication collapses.  A micro group is not a microwave group. Micro means "small" so that there are 3-4 people who gather around a shared covenant of commitments, meet weekly, engage a biblically-based disciple-making curriculum, open hearts transparently to another, and then commit upon completion to go on to prayerfully ask 2-3 others who intentionally want to replicate the process.  Global Discipleship Initiative (GDI) Resources: Find out more at globaldi.org and acc