Methodologies

Multiplication

HARVESTIME INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE

This course is part of the Harvestime International Institute, a program designed to equip believers for effective spiritual harvest.

The basic theme of the training is to teach what Jesus taught, that which took men who were fishermen, tax collectors, etc., and changed them into reproductive Christians who reached their world with the Gospel in a demonstration of power.

This manual is a single course in one of several modules of curriculum which moves believers from visualizing through deputizing, multiplying, organizing, and mobilizing to achieve the goal of evangelizing.

For further information on additional courses write:

Harvestime International Institute

3092 Sultana Dr.

Madera, California 93637

U.S.A.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

How To Use This Manual . . . . . . . . I

Suggestions For Group Study. . . . . . . II

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . 1

Course Objectives . . . . . . . . . 3

1. Fishers Of Men . . . . . . . . . 4

2. The Day Of Small Things . . . . . . . 11

3. Parables Of Multiplication . . . . . . . 32

4. One Plus One Equals More Than Two . . . . . . 42

5. An Introduction To Church Growth . . . . . . 54

6. Internal Growth . . . . . . . . . 66

7. Expansion Growth . . . . . . . . 86

8. Extension Growth . . . . . . . . 111

9. Bridging Growth . . . . . . . . . 120

10. Decisions Or Disciples? . . . . . . . 137

11. Stunted Growth . . . . . . . . . 159

12. The Extension Training Center . . . . . . . 171

Answers To Self-Tests. . . . . . . . 186

HOW TO USE THIS MANUAL

MANUAL FORMAT

Each lesson consists of:

Objectives: These are the goals you should achieve by studying the chapter. Read them before starting the lesson.

Key Verse: This verse emphasizes the main concept of the chapter. Memorize it.

Chapter Content: Study each section. Use your Bible to look up any references not printed in the manual.

Self-Test: Take this test after you finish studying the chapter. Try to answer the questions without using your Bible or this manual. When you have concluded the Self-Test, check your answers in the answer section provided at the end of the book.

For Further Study: This section will help you continue your study of the Word of God, improve your study skills, and apply what you have learned to your life and ministry.

Final Examination: If you are enrolled in this course for credit, you received a final examination along with this course. Upon conclusion of this course, you should complete this examination and return it for grading as instructed.

ADDITIONAL MATERIALS NEEDED

You will need a King James version of the Bible.

SUGGESTIONS FOR GROUP STUDY

FIRST MEETING

Opening: Open with prayer and introductions. Get acquainted and register the students.

Establish Group Procedures: Determine who will lead the meetings, the time, place, and dates for the sessions.

Praise And Worship: Invite the presence of the Holy Spirit into your training session.

Distribute Manuals To Students: Introduce the manual title, format, and course objectives provided in the first few pages of the manual.

Make The First Assignment: Students will read the chapters assigned and take the Self-Tests prior to the next meeting. The number of chapters you cover per meeting will depend on chapter length, content, and the abilities of your group.

SECOND AND FOLLOWING MEETINGS

Opening: Pray. Welcome and register any new students and give them a manual. Take attendance. Have a time of praise and worship.

Review: Present a brief summary of what you studied at the last meeting.

Lesson: Discuss each section of the chapter using the HEADINGS IN CAPITAL BOLD FACED LETTERS as a teaching outline. Ask students for questions or comments on what they have studied. Apply the lesson to the lives and ministries of your students.

Self-Test: Review the Self-Tests students have completed. (Note: If you do not want the students to have access to the answers to the Self-Tests, you may remove the answer pages from the back of each manual.)

For Further Study: You may do these projects on a group or individual basis.

Final Examination: If your group is enrolled in this course for credit, you received a final examination with this course. Reproduce a copy for each student and administer the exam upon conclusion of this course.

MODULE: Multiplying

COURSE: Multiplication Methodologies

INTRODUCTION

The Bible records the creation of the world and the first man and woman (Genesis 1). The first command given by God to these newly created people was to multiply:

So God created man in His own image, in the image of God created He him; male and female created He them.

And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it...(Genesis 1:27-28)

This process was not only to be physical multiplication, it was also to be spiritual. As Adam and Eve multiplied physically they would fill the earth with others like themselves; people who knew God and walked in fellowship with Him. They would be reproducing spiritually as well as physically.

The fall of man into sin interfered with this process (Genesis 3). Sin resulted in physical death which hindered physical multiplication (Genesis 2:17). It also caused spiritual death which is the spiritual separation of sinful man from a righteous God. This hindered spiritual multiplication.

Because God loved man so much, He made a special plan to save people from this terrible spiritual death. God sent Jesus Christ to die for the sins of all mankind. Jesus paid the penalty of death in our place. Then He overcame death by rising again from the dead (John 20).

Each individual must choose to accept God's plan of salvation by asking forgiveness for sin and accepting Jesus as Savior.* As a believer in Jesus with sins forgiven, you are saved from spiritual death.

_____________________

* The Harvestime International Institute course, "Foundations Of Faith", explains God's plan of salvation in detail.

Although the physical body will someday die, you will continue to live spiritually and will receive a new body which will live forever:

...We shall all be changed...In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye...the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed...Then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. (I Corinthians 15:51, 52, 54)

When you accept Jesus as Savior, it is like being created by God all over again. The Bible calls it being "born again":

Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. (John 3:3)

Being "born again" does not refer to physical birth. It refers to spiritual birth. You are recreated spiritually as a new creature in Christ. You are "new" because you no longer live in sin and practice the old sinful lifestyle:

Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (II Corinthians 5:17)

In the beginning of the world, God's first command to His newly created people was to multiply. His first command to recreated, "born-again" believers is the same. We are to multiply spiritually and fill the earth with others like ourselves; people who love God and walk in fellowship with Him.

When Jesus first called men to follow Him, it was a call to spiritual multiplication (Luke 5:10). His last command to believers was to multiply spiritually (Acts 1:8). To meet the challenge of thousands of people who are dying in sin without the Gospel, each believer must become reproductive and learn the principles of spiritual multiplication.

This course shares Biblical methods of spiritual reproduction which will enable you to multiply in obedience to God's command. You will learn how to multiply spiritually as an individual and corporately within the context of the local church. If you apply the Biblical principles taught in this course, you can be responsible for the multiplication of thousands of trained and motivated believers.

If you are taking the Harvestime International Institute courses in order, this is the third course in Module Three, which focuses on multiplying the spiritual labor force trained through completion of Module Two.

The courses in Module Three are "Developing A Biblical World View", "Teaching Tactics", "Multiplication Methodologies", and "Power Principles". These courses develop awareness of the spiritual need of the world and explain how to meet that need through Biblical teaching and preaching, multiplication, and the endument of spiritual power.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

Upon completion of this course you will be able to:

∙ Reproduce spiritually through application of Biblical multiplication methods.

∙ Summarize multiplication principles taught in New Testament parables.

∙ Explain how a believer can multiply spiritually to raise up hundreds of new believers.

∙ Make your home a center for spiritual multiplication.

∙ Summarize principles for internal multiplication within the Church.

∙ Summarize principles for expansion multiplication of the Church.

∙ Summarize principles for extension multiplication of the Church.

∙ Summarize principles for bridging multiplication of the Church.

∙ Move converts beyond decision to discipleship.

∙ Identify factors that hinder spiritual multiplication.

∙ Establish a Harvestime International Institute as a center for spiritual multiplication.

CHAPTER ONE

FISHERS OF MEN

OBJECTIVES:

Upon completion of this chapter you will be able to:

∙ Write the Key Verse from memory.

∙ Identify the first and last commandments of Jesus to His followers.

∙ Define "multiplication".

∙ Explain what is meant by spiritual multiplication.

∙ Define "method".

∙ Define "methodologies".

∙ Explain what is meant by spiritual "multiplication methodologies".

∙ Summarize principles of natural fishing which are applicable to spiritual fishing.

KEY VERSE:

And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men. (Mark 1:17)

INTRODUCTION

When Jesus Christ began His public ministry on earth, He called several men to be His first disciples:

And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men. (Mark 1:17)

His first command to these men was to multiply spiritually. If they followed Him, He would make them "fishers of men". They would reproduce as they "fished" spiritually for other men and women.

The last message of Jesus to His followers was a call to spiritual reproduction:

But ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

And when He had spoken these things, while they beheld, He was taken up; and a cloud received Him out of their sight. (Acts 1:8-9)

How could the disciples fulfill this great commission given by Jesus? How could this small group of people multiply to reach the entire world?

MULTIPLICATION METHODS

Jesus revealed specific methods which would enable His disciples to fulfill the command to reproduce spiritually. The first and most important of these was given as part of the commission in Acts 1:8. Disciples would multiply through the endument of power by the Holy Spirit. Other methods were revealed as the followers of Jesus began to multiply and reach the world with the Gospel. These methods are recorded in the books of Acts and the Epistles in the New Testament.

This course explains these methods of multiplication. It teaches you how to use them to reproduce spiritually and fulfill God's command. But first, you must understand what it means to multiply.

To "multiply" means to increase in number by reproduction. Multiplication is the process of multiplying. When something is multiplied it is reproduced over and over again in like form.

In the natural world, men and women reproduce themselves by having children. They multiply physically. Spiritual multiplication is done by reproducing spiritually. A believer reproduces by sharing the Gospel with others, leading them to become believers, and establishing them as disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Bible reveals God's methods for spiritual multiplication. A "method" is a plan for accomplishing a specific goal. "Methodologies" is a system of methods which can be combined to reach a goal.

"Multiplication methodologies" are methods which enable believers to reach the goal of spiritual reproduction. The goal never changes. We are to reproduce spiritually and reach the entire world with the Gospel. There are many different methods by which this goal may be accomplished. These are the "methodologies", or various plans, by which you can multiply.

When man cooperates with God's multiplication methods, spiritual reproduction results. Believers reproduce spiritually within the womb of the Church.

THE CALL TO ACTION

The men Jesus first called as disciples were fishermen. They were men of action. They did not catch fish one at a time. They used big nets to fish and brought in many fish of all kinds.

When Jesus called them to be "fishers of men", He revealed a similar plan for spiritual multiplication. His followers were to "catch" men and women from every nation, culture, language, and ethnic background. Their spiritual "nets" were to be filled.

Jesus called men to action. He said He would "make them to become fishers of men". They would not just be spectators in God's plan. They would be participators as they fished for the eternal souls of men and women.

The call of Jesus is still the same. We are to become fishers of men. If we are not fishing, then we are not following.

FISHERS OF MEN

Why did Jesus use the example of fishing to call His followers?

First, it was an example they could easily understand. These men made their living by fishing. It was the thing to which they devoted their time and energy.

When Jesus called them to become fishers of men, they understood that they would "catch" men spiritually, just as they had caught fish in the natural world. They also understood the demands of this call. Spiritual "fishing" would require a commitment of their time and energy.

Second, Jesus used the example of fishing to call followers because there are principles of natural fishing which can be applied spiritually. Here are some of these principles:

YOU MUST GO WHERE THE FISH ARE:

If you want to catch fish, you must go where the fish are. Fish live in water. You will never catch fish by waiting on top of a mountain or in the middle of a desert.

As a believer, you must go where the fish are spiritually. Men and women live in the world. You can not wait in the church building for unbelievers to come to you. You must go into the marketplace, the schools, and the offices and "fish" wherever unsaved people are found.

YOU MUST ANALYZE THE ENVIRONMENT:

When you are fishing in the natural world, it is important to consider the environment. You must observe the water and its current and depth. You must know if it is salt water or fresh water. You must observe how the wind is blowing. All of these natural factors determine the type of bait and the methods you will use to fish.

The same is true in the natural world. You must analyze the environment in which you find men and women. What are their needs? What is happening in their lives? This will help you determine the method to use in "fishing" for their souls.

When Jesus met the woman at the well in John 4, He analyzed the environment in which He found her. She was seeking natural water. He used this natural need to help her recognize her spiritual need. The method He used "reeled her in" to the Kingdom of God.

In the natural world, if you are using trout fishing methods in salt water you will never catch trout. Trout do not live in salt water. They live in fresh water.

If you do not analyze the environment in the spiritual world, you will find yourself "fishing for trout in salt water" because you do not understand where people are and how to reach them.

YOU SHOULD USE DIFFERENT METHODS:

A good fisherman uses different methods to catch fish. He uses various baits to attract the fish. He uses different kinds of fishing equipment which may include fishing rods, nets, spears, or baskets. Different kinds of fish are attracted by different methods. This is why a good fisherman uses various methods.

A fisherman can learn some of these methods in books written about fishing. He learns other methods by experience and observation. The methods he uses change, but the goal is always the same...To catch fish.

If you are to be an effective spiritual fisherman, you must use different methods. Different people are attracted to the Gospel by various methods. Some are "reeled in" by teaching and preaching or comfort in time of need. Others are "caught" by different methods.

The methods of spiritual fishing are varied, but the goal is always the same...To catch the souls of men and women.

YOU MUST CAST OUT AND REEL IN:

Whether you are using a fishing rod, net, or spear in the natural world, you must cast it into the waters and draw it out again.

In the natural world, how you cast into the water is very important. Your casting must be on target. You must also use care in order to land your fish after catching it.

In the spiritual world, we are promised if we "cast out" the Word of God, it will not return void. It will accomplish its purpose in the hearts and lives of men and women (Isaiah 55:11). When you use the Word of God, you will be on target every time. Eventually, it will "catch" men and women.

TIMING IS IMPORTANT:

The time of day and seasons of the year affect fishing in the natural world. Some fish migrate and cannot be caught in certain regions during some seasons. The biggest fish are caught early in the day when they come closer to the surface for feeding. If you fish in the wrong season or at the wrong time, you won't catch many fish.

Timing is important in spiritual fishing also. You will learn later in this course how important it is to "fish" the receptive areas of the world when the fish are "biting" spiritually.

YOU MUST BE PATIENT:

A fisherman in the natural world must be patient. He must wait for the fish to take the bait or swim into the net. The same is true in the spiritual world:

Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. (James 5:7)

SPIRITUAL REPRODUCTION

Fishing in the natural world results in multiplication of fish. Fishing in the spiritual world results in multiplication of men and women in the Kingdom of God. Natural reproduction results in multiplication of living people. Spiritual reproduction results in multiplication of spiritual people.

Natural reproduction is the result of life. Spiritual reproduction is also the result of life. It does not come through programs and promotions of man. Spiritual reproduction comes through the spiritual life flow of God.

In the natural body, reproduction starts in a woman's womb with a single cell of life. That cell multiplies until a complete body is formed and a new baby is born.

Spiritual growth is similar. It starts with the life flow of God in one man or woman. It multiplies in the spiritual "womb" of the Church. You will learn how spiritual reproduction starts as you study "The Day Of Small Things" in the next chapter.

SELF-TEST

1. Write the Key Verse from memory.

_______________________________________________________________________________

2. What were the first and last commandments of Jesus to His followers?

_______________________________________________________________________________

3. What is multiplication?

_______________________________________________________________________________

4. How does a believer reproduce spiritually?

_______________________________________________________________________________

5. Define "method".

_______________________________________________________________________________

6. Define "methodologies".

_______________________________________________________________________________

7. Explain what is meant by spiritual "multiplication methodologies".

_______________________________________________________________________________

8. Summarize principles of natural fishing which are applicable to spiritual fishing.

_______________________________________________________________________________

(Answers to tests are provided at the conclusion of the final chapter in this manual.)

FOR FURTHER STUDY

The call of Jesus to multiply spiritually is not an option or a suggestion. It is a command. Study the following chart which compares the various Biblical records of the Great Commission. Look up each reference in your Bible. Note the authority you have to fulfill the command. Observe the extent of your ministry, its message, and the activities in which you are to engage in the multiplication process.

Reference The Authority The Extent The Message The Activities

Matthew "All authority"All nations All things Disciple by going,

28:1-20 Jesus has baptizing, teaching

commanded

Mark Name of Jesus All the The Gospel Go and preach,

16:15 world to heal the sick.

every

creature

Luke Name of Jesus All nations Repentance Preach, proclaim,

24:46-49 beginning at and the and witness

Jerusalem forgiveness

of sins

John Sent by Jesus (The extent of the ministry, the message,

20:21 as He was and the activities are to be the same "as Jesus".)

sent by the Father

Acts Power of Jerusalem, Christ Witness

1:8 the Holy Judea,

Spirit Samaria, and

the uttermost

part of the world

CHAPTER TWO

THE DAY OF SMALL THINGS

OBJECTIVES:

Upon completion of this chapter you will be able to:

-Write the Key Verse from memory.

-Summarize basic principles of multiplication.

-Identify various types of spiritual growth.

-List references which show that concern with multiplication is Scriptural.

-Identify factors which reveal a wrong emphasis on numeric growth.

KEY VERSE:

For who hath despised the day of small things? (Zechariah 4:10)

INTRODUCTION

Growth in the human body starts with a single cell of life which is the result of an intimate relationship between a man and a woman. That cell is multiplied within the mother's womb until another human being is created. When it matures, that new human being also has the ability to multiply.

Spiritual growth starts with a relationship between one person and the Lord Jesus Christ. Spiritual life flows into the soul and spirit of one who has accepted Jesus as Savior. That spark of life, nurtured in the spiritual womb of the Church, grows until a new disciple is created. That disciple has the ability to reproduce spiritually by leading others to the Lord Jesus Christ.

Whether in the natural or spiritual worlds, multiplication starts with a single cell of life. This is why God said:

For who hath despised the day of small things? (Zechariah 4:10)

In this chapter you will start with "small things". You will learn basic principles of multiplication and about various types of spiritual growth. You will learn of God's concern for spiritual multiplication and of factors which indicate a wrong emphasis on numeric growth. You will start with basic principles, the "small things" upon which the greater revelation is based.

BASIC PRINCIPLES OF MULTIPLICATION

You must understand basic principles of spiritual multiplication in order to learn and apply the methodologies. The Biblical principles of multiplication do not change but the methods by which you multiply may vary. The methods change, but the purpose always remains the same.

The purpose and principles of God always remain the same but the strategy to reach these purposes changes. God's purpose from the beginning of time has been...

...That in the dispensation of the fullness of times, He might gather together in one all things in Christ both which are in Heaven, and which are on earth, even in Him. (Ephesians 1:10)

As the spiritual life of His people and historical conditions changes among the nations, God changes His strategy as necessary to accomplish His purposes. For example, when fathers in Israelite families failed in their spiritual duty, God raised up the priests. When the priests became corrupt, He called prophets as spiritual leaders.

Jesus used many different methods of ministry. He did not deal with all people in the same way. His methods varied, but His purpose remained the same...To touch and change the lives of men and women.

Here are some basic principles you must understand in the "day of small things" before you begin to multiply:

GOD IS CONCERNED WITH THE MULTITUDES:

God's concern has always been with the whole world:

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

(John 3:16)

God is...

...not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. (II Peter 3:9)

Jesus expressed this same concern when He said:

For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

(Luke 19:10)

...for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. (Matthew 9:13)

God is concerned with the multitudes. He is concerned with numbers. He is concerned with the multiplication of believers who will reproduce and spread the Gospel. As you begin your study of multiplication methods you must start with the same concern as God; that of reaching the entire world with the Gospel message.

IT IS GOD WHO GIVES GROWTH:

Spiritual multiplication cannot be accomplished apart from God. It is God who gives growth:

...God gave the increase. (I Corinthians 3:6)

MAN MUST COOPERATE WITH GOD'S PRINCIPLES:

There are principles in God's Word which are applicable to every area of life and ministry. God works through men who know how to cooperate with these principles. From the beginning of the world, God has worked on the earth through man. He gave Adam and Eve the task of keeping the garden. He used a man named Noah to preserve life on the earth during the flood.

God raised up Abraham to found the nation of Israel through which He would reveal Himself to the nations of the world. God also used prophets, kings, and judges to accomplish His plan in Old Testament times.

In the New Testament, a man named John the Baptist "prepared the way for the Lord". Jesus began His ministry with common men and when He returned to Heaven He left the destiny of the Gospel in the hands of these same men. The whole Biblical record is one of man cooperating with the principles of God to achieve the purposes of God.

This is true in spiritual multiplication. God does not bypass man to spread the Gospel. He uses men and women who understand and cooperate with His principles of multiplication. Paul summarized this cooperative relationship:

I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.

(I Corinthians 3:6)

Paul stressed the urgency for believers to fulfill their responsibility in the plan of God:

For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? (Romans 10:13-14)

JESUS IS THE FOCUS OF MULTIPLICATION:

Jesus said:

And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.

(John 12:32)

Jesus was speaking here of His "lifting up" on the cross to die for the sins of all mankind. Through His death, He would draw all men through the power of the Gospel. When you share the Gospel message, Jesus is lifted up. When He is lifted up in your life and your church, people are drawn by the power of the Gospel message. Multiplication is guaranteed when Jesus is lifted up.

THE WORD OF GOD CAUSES GROWTH:

Jesus told a parable about growth in Matthew 13:1-9. He explained the parable in Matthew 13:18-23. Read these passages in your Bible. In this parable, the seed represents the Word of God. God has promised when we "sow" His Word, it is not done in vain:

So shall my Word be that goeth forth out of my mouth; it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. (Isaiah 55:11)

...For I will hasten my Word to perform it. (Jeremiah 1:12)

It is the Word of God that brings change in the lives of men and women. That change results in growth and multiplication based on the Word of God.

THE HOLY SPIRIT ENABLES MULTIPLICATION:

In the final message of Jesus to His disciples He said:

But ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me, both in Jerusalem and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. (Acts 1:8)

The power of the Holy Spirit enables multiplication. The gifts of the Holy Spirit equip for multiplication. The fruit of the Holy Spirit causes reproduction. We will examine the role of the Holy Spirit in spiritual multiplication later in this course.

MULTIPLICATION IS A SHARED RESPONSIBILITY:

In the early church, the spread of the Gospel was not left to the full-time pastors, prophets, evangelists, and teachers. Every New Testament believer was spiritually reproductive.

If we are to reach the world with the Gospel, we must return to this strategy of the early church. Both leaders and laymen must share the responsibility for spiritual multiplication. The growth in world population requires a return to the New Testament plan of ministry by each member of the Body of Christ. We cannot reach the world through token efforts and half-hearted dedication.

There are enough Christians in the world that the entire world could easily be reached with the Gospel. There lacks only a sufficient number of inspired people to recognize and respond to the opportunity for multiplication.

The command given by Jesus to believers is to "go" into all the world with the Gospel message. You do not have to wait for the command to "go" because it already has been given. In relation to the spread of the Gospel, the command is to "go" and watch for the stops, not stop and wait for the "go".

TYPES OF GROWTH

The Bible speaks of four types of church growth or multiplication:

GEOGRAPHIC GROWTH:

Geographic growth was predicted by the Lord Jesus:

Growth was to extend geographically throughout the nations of the world.

NUMERIC GROWTH:

The church would experience numeric growth as it grew geographically. Numeric growth of the first church is recorded in the book of Acts. For example, the church had increased from 12 to 120 in Acts 1:15; to 3,000 in Acts 2:41; and to 5,000 in Acts 4:4.

ETHNIC GROWTH:

The early church experienced ethnic growth also. The Gospel was extended beyond the Jews to include Gentiles (people of all nations).

SPIRITUAL GROWTH:

Growth in numbers is not the only emphasis of spiritual multiplication. As you will learn later in this course, internal spiritual growth is also important. Followers of Jesus must grow in spiritual quality as well as quantity:

But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ... (II Peter 3:18)

God's desire is that we...

Speaking the truth in love, may grow up into Him in all things, which is the head, even Christ. (Ephesians 4:15)

THE EMPHASIS ON NUMBERS

Some people ignore the subject of spiritual multiplication and church growth because they believe an emphasis on "numbers" is wrong. But in the Bible there are many records of God's concern with numbers. For examples, see Numbers 1:1-3; 2:23-24; 26:1-4; Revelation 7:9; 20:8; Genesis 22:17; and Hebrews 6:14.

Jesus told many parables concerning numeric growth. You will study these in another chapter. He also indicated that careful numeric records are kept in Heaven:

I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in Heaven, over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons which need no repentance. (Luke 15:7)

Multiplication is emphasized in the record of the early church in the book of Acts. Summaries of the growth of the church are recorded in Acts 1:15; 2:41; 4:4; 6:7; 9:31; 12:24; 16:5; 19:20; and 28:30-31.

You must not ignore the subject of multiplication just because of a few problems with wrong emphasis. Rather, you must recognize and deal with the problems. There is a wrong emphasis on multiplication when the following factors are present:

NUMERIC GROWTH IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN SPIRITUAL:

When spiritual growth is compromised to attract the crowds, there is a misplaced emphasis on numbers. Some ministers say only what people like to hear in order to attract great crowds. The Bible warns that...

...the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears.

And they shall turn away their ears from the truth and shall be turned unto fables. (II Timothy 4:3-4)

PRIDE IS THE MOTIVATION:

Read I Chronicles 21:18. David's concern with numbers here was motivated by Satan and was an act of pride. When you begin to take pride in great numbers, your emphasis is wrong.

EMULATION IS PRACTICED:

There is a sin of the flesh mentioned in Galatians 5:20 which is called "emulations". Emulations is a form of jealousy which results in imitating others to equal or surpass their achievements. When you are jealous of large ministries and begin to imitate them in order to grow, you have a wrong emphasis on numbers.

EMPHASIS IS ON CHURCH GROWTH INSTEAD OF KINGDOM GROWTH:

The goal of spiritual multiplication is winning new converts to Jesus Christ and discipling them until they become responsible, reproductive members of the Kingdom of God. There is a difference between church growth and Kingdom growth. If First Church splits and 100 of their members go to Second Church, church growth occurs in Second Church. But there has been no Kingdom growth. Multiplication has not occurred. There has only been a transfer of existing numbers.

The goal of multiplication is not to attract new members from another church, but to reach the unreached with the Gospel. Emphasis on numbers is wrong when the goal of church growth replaces that of Kingdom growth.

THE INDIVIDUAL IS IGNORED:

Jesus ministered to crowds of people during His earthly ministry (Luke 6:17; 7:11; 8:37; 9:14-16; 14:26; 23:27; John 6:2). But Jesus never ignored the individual because of the crowds. He called individuals out of crowds to minister to them (John 5:3-13; Mark 5:24-34). In John 4, Jesus ministered to one woman who brought an entire village to the Master.

In Acts 8 there is the record of a great revival preached by Philip in the city of Samaria. In the middle of these meetings God spoke to Philip to leave Samaria and go to the desert between Jerusalem and Gaza.

Philip immediately left the great revival in which he was ministering. He went from a densely populated country to a lonely desert. He left the crowds in order to minister to one man, an Ethiopian returning home from Jerusalem. This one man was probably responsible for spreading the Gospel to the entire continent of Africa.

Many years ago in a missionary service in London, England, only two people attended because the weather was so bad. The visiting minister made a powerful appeal for workers among the Indians in North America but thought his time was wasted because of the low attendance.

But one of the two men heard God's call and yielded his life to Him. Within a month he had sold his business and was preparing himself to work among the Indians in North America. He spent 35 years in effective ministry among these people. His name was David Brainard.

Do not despise little things. Remember, a small candle can do what the sun can never do...it can shine at night.

EMPHASIS SHIFTS FROM PEOPLE TO THINGS:

When multiplication results in church growth, the emphasis sometimes changes from people to things. Because of growth, a bigger church building may be needed and efforts are shifted from multiplying disciples to a building program. When your chief concern is with buildings to accommodate growth, numbers have caused you to lose sight of the primary goal.

God is more interested in people than in buildings. The Biblical record of God at work in the world focuses on people. When multiplication results in a shift of emphasis from people to material things like buildings, priorities are wrong.

OTHERS ARE JUDGED ON THE BASIS OF NUMBERS:

Never judge the spirituality of another person or ministry by numbers. Great numbers are not always an indication of spirituality. Numeric success in some cases is mute testimony that the Church has failed to be the Church. Sometimes, faithfulness to the Word of God and the Lord Jesus Christ may repel rather than attract. For example, when Jesus began to teach the unpopular message of His death, many of His followers deserted Him (John 6:52-64).

There are other reasons why growth may not be evident. The Bible teaches there are certain seasons for spiritual growth just as there are in the natural world. In the natural world, during certain seasons of the year some plants do not reproduce. They have no leaves or fruit and look like a dead branch sticking out of the ground. But in the right season, these plants will blossom and fruit and leaves will come forth.

The same is true in the spiritual world. There are certain times when specific areas of the world are more receptive to the Gospel than others. By studying the patterns of growth you can concentrate your spiritual forces in fields "ripe unto harvest".

God's numeric system is not the same as that of man. We add in order to increase numbers. But sometimes God subtracts in order to add. When Ananias and Sapphira were subtracted from the church because of sin (Acts 5), believers were added (Acts 5:14). Sometimes God uses division to multiply. When Paul and Barnabas were divided, God multiplied the missionary force (Acts 15:36-41). Occasionally God reduces a number in order to accomplish a great purpose. Read the story of Gideon in Judges 7.

Never judge a ministry or an individual on the basis of numbers. Do not "despise" small things. When a young boy offered his bread and two tiny fish to Jesus it met the needs of a crowd of hungry people. God still takes insignificant things, blesses them, and uses them mightily for His glory.

COME FORTH BEARING SHEAVES

Fearing wrong emphasis on numbers should not prevent the study and application of multiplication methods. The parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30) makes it clear that God expects you to multiply what you have been given and that fearful excuses are not acceptable. Jesus told His followers:

Say not ye, there are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? Behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. (John 4:35)

When God sends harvesters in to the spiritual fields of the world, He wants them to come out with sheaves, not excuses:

They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.

He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.

(Psalms 126:5-6)

SELF-TEST

1. Write the Key Verse from memory.

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2. Summarize the basic principles of multiplication taught in this lesson.

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3. Identify four types of spiritual growth.

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4. List some references which show that concern with multiplication is Scriptural.

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5. Summarize factors discussed in this lesson which reveal a wrong emphasis on numeric growth.

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6. TRUE OR FALSE: If the statement is True, write "True" on the blank in front of it. If the statement is false, write "False" on the blank in front of it:

a.________Concern with numbers is not Scriptural.

b.________If a church is not growing, they are not spiritual.

(Answers to tests are provided at the conclusion of the final chapter in this manual.)

FOR FURTHER STUDY

The book of Acts in the Bible tells the story of multiplication in the early church. Use the following outline to study this New Testament book. This outline follows the multiplication plan of the Lord given in Acts 1:8 for the extension of the Gospel from Jerusalem to Judaea, Samaria, and the uttermost parts of the world.

Author of Acts: Luke

Written To: The book is written to all believers, although it is specifically addressed to Theophilus.

Purpose Of The Book: This is stated in Acts 1:1-2. The book concerns what Jesus continued to do and teach after His ascension through His spiritual Body, the Church.

Key Verse: Acts 1:8

OUTLINE

Introduction

Acts 1:1-ll

I. Introduction: 1:1-2

A. To: Theophilus: 1:1

B. Concerning: What Jesus continued to do and teach after His ascension through His spiritual Body, the Church: 1:1-2

II. The ministry of Jesus after the resurrection: 1:3

A. Its duration: Forty days: 1:3

B. Its purpose: Infallible proof: 1:3

C. Its message: The Kingdom Of God: 1:3

III. The final meeting of Jesus with His disciples: 1:4-8

A. The command to the disciples: 1:4-5

B. The question of the disciples: 1:6

C. The caution to the disciples: 1:7

D. The commission to the disciples: 1:8

IV. The ascension of Jesus into Heaven: 1:9-11

A. Description of the ascension: 1:9

B. Declaration of His second coming: 1:10-11

Part One: Forming The Witness In Jerusalem

Acts 1:12-7

I. The forming of the witness: 1:12-2:4

A. Christ's disciples waiting in Jerusalem: 1:12-26

l. The gathering of the disciples: 1:12-15

a. Their meeting place: 1:12-13

b. Their number and names: 1:13-15

c. Their purpose: 1:14

2. The exhortation given to the disciples: 1:15-22

a. The speaker: Peter: 1:15