Masters Plan FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions:
In The Master’s Plan Network, we are committed to capturing, categorizing and communicating the best practices for launching and sustaining healthy churches that use The Master’s Plan system for disciple-making. To assist our MPN members and partners below is a list of frequently asked questions. More are soon to be added.
1. What is The Master’s Plan?
2. What does “G12” stand for?
3. Who is using this model of discipleship?
4. Where did this model come from?
5. What are the basic components of this model?
6. Where can I find out more information about this model?
1. What is The Master’s Plan?
It is the North American Nazarene adaptation of the explosive DiscipleMaking model that is known worldwide by the nickname of “G12.” It is a serious attempt to make Christlike Disciples who will in turn become DiscipleMakers of our Lord Jesus.
2. What does “G12” stand for?
“G12” is the nickname or “shorthand” name that stands for “Groups of 12” or “Government of 12” (after Biblical numerology – 12 being the number in Scripture that typically represents order, discipline, government or organization)
3. Who Is Using This Model Of Discipleship?
Over 30,000 churches worldwide, including 3,000+ churches in North America. It is the model of DiscipleMaking that is being used by the largest churches in at least 12 different countries in the world. Over 125 different denominations (most of them charismatic) use this model.
This is also the model that is being used by the largest and fastest growing Church of the Nazarene in the world – in Cali, Columbia where our church there has grown from 31 people to over 8,000 in average attendance in the past 12 years. It is also being used by about 20-30 Churches of the Nazarene in Central and South America as well as about 15-20 Nazarene churches in North America.
4. Where Did This Model Come From?
God gave this model to a charismatic pastor from Bogota, Columbia named Cesar Castellanos in 1991, after he had Robert Colman, author of “The Master’s Plan of Disicple-Making” and Asbury Seminary professor, come and lecture in his church for a week. Since that time the church in Bogota has grown from 700 to over 400,000 using this model.
After closer examination, it is easy for Wesleyan scholars to see that this model was originally used by John Wesley and his earliest Methodists in their “inter-locking” system of small groups. (“Class meetings”, “bands”, and “select societies”)
5. What Are The Basic Components Of This Model?
There are 6 basic “components” to this dynamic model:
- A powerful, anointed Encounter Weekend Retreat where Christians have a true life-changing encounter with God and they are given a chance to be truly sanctified by God’s Spirit. This retreat is followed by…
- A year’s worth of courses and weekly classes in practical holiness teaching and training that is designed to lead the sanctified Christian to the point where they can become Disciples of our Lord Jesus, small group leaders and reproducing DiscipleMakers. Less than a year after conversion new Christians are equipped and encouraged to be leading their own small group and discipling others – as they receive on-going coaching and mentoring.
- An on-going small group of committed Believers who meet weekly for mutual support, prayer for lost people and encouragement and who are learning to apply God’s Word in their lives and become like Jesus. These are “open”, evangelistic cell groups that we call “Life Groups.” Life Groups can range from 3-25 people. They can be same sex groups or mixed gender groups.
- Long-term on-going one-on-one personal coaching, mentoring and same-sex discipling that results in Christ-like Disciples who are accountable weekly to other Disciplers and who become DiscipleMakers themselves.
- Disciplers are a part of a “Lead Group” which is a “closed” group of leaders that never grows beyond 12 in number with one leader. The Lead Group meets once a week for prayer, encouragement, accountability, and strategizing. Typically, these are same sex groups.
- Eventually, each leader has their own weekly Lead Group of leaders that they are discipling and coaching into faithful and fruitful maturity in Christ.
6. Where Can I Find Out More Information About This Model?
Contact any Master Plan Network Coach. To find their contact information, click here.