We are coaching fellow brothers and sisters to start generations of new churches, rather than just single churches. Now, they’re developing generations of new leaders for these churches. If that’s your goal, it’s crucial to consider how you begin.
Our friend Ravi* has fully embraced this mindset. One day, two young women arrived at his door. He assumed they were there to inquire about renting a room, as he and his wife, Asha*, run a hostel for students. Their town, home to several educational institutions, attracts young women from surrounding areas who need a safe, clean place to live while they study. However, these girls didn’t immediately ask about rooms, which led Ravi to invite them inside.
As soon as they entered, one of them, a high-caste Brahmin, asked, “Sir, are you Christian?” This question took Ravi and Asha by surprise, especially since their town had a strong anti-Christian sentiment. Cautiously, Ravi replied, “Yes, we are Christian. But how did you know?” She pointed to the Bible on the table. “I see the Bible,” she said.
Without hesitation, the girl continued, “Sir, my parents have wanted to know about Jesus for years. Will you please talk to my father?” She then called her father, who eagerly invited Ravi to visit their village.
A week later, Ravi and Asha made the trip to the village and found the family gathered, ready to learn about Jesus. Neighbors soon joined in, and the group grew to sixteen people. This was an extraordinary opportunity to share the gospel. But how would they approach it? What would come of it?
During this initial visit, Ravi introduced the family to a method of discovering God’s truth directly from the Bible. He read Psalm 25:
8 Good and upright is the Lord;
therefore he instructs sinners in his ways.
9 He guides the humble in what is right
and teaches them his way.
Ravi asked, “What do you learn from this scripture about God? And what do you learn about humanity?” The father responded, “I learn that God is good and teaches sinners. And that man must humble himself and learn from God.” Ravi continued, “What does this say to you personally?” The father quietly replied, “I am a man, and I am a sinner. I need to humble myself, learn from God, and follow His way.”
The father was eager to learn more but had questions about the next steps. “Where will we go to church?” he asked. “Who will be our pastor?” Ravi’s answer surprised him: “We will start a Discovery Bible Study (DBS) right here in your home. God will guide you as you gather your family and relatives to start a church.”
Since that day, six members of the family have turned to Jesus, and two more DBS groups have started in other homes. And this is where the concept of “generations” comes into play. What did Ravi do differently to foster this generational growth?
First, Ravi made the effort to visit the family in their own home, dedicating an entire day to the journey. He understood that this wasn’t just about reaching one man or even one family, but about equipping this man—who had a strong desire to know Jesus—as an instrument to reach his entire community.
Second, Ravi empowered the family to learn about God directly from the Bible, encouraging them to do so regularly. He coached the father through phone calls and follow-up visits, helping him lead the family in their studies and encouraging them to form new groups.
“In the past,” Ravi reflects, “I would have just invited this man to my church. I never would have allowed him to become a facilitator and leader.”
Since embracing this new approach to ministry, Ravi has seen thousands of small churches start, and he’s never looking back. “I’ve seen a profound change in our results,” he says, “and my team and I have grown in our obedience to the risen Lord Jesus Christ.”
“I’ve learned,” he adds, “that making disciples isn’t about bringing people to church. It’s about starting church in homes, wherever people are. It’s about finding a person of peace and empowering them to make disciples. It’s about living a life that follows Jesus’ model and reflects His heart for the lost.”
We couldn’t say it better.
*Names have been changed for security purposes
