Need a Great List of the Most Vital DMM Startup Tools?

Rice, meat, spices, herbs, onion, garlic…you make your list and go to the market, if you are cooking an Indian meal. Before making a special meal, you first prepare the ingredients you need. You wouldn’t want to start cooking and then have to stop and run to the store, right? In the same way, as you begin your journey with Disciple Making Movements (DMMs), it is good to get your tools, training, and material in place. This will give you a better chance of seeing good fruit on your DMM journey.

Invest in Your DMM Toolbox

There are many different tools you can add to your “toolbox” as you make disciples. But several things are the most essential. Get those basics in place. Then, as a builder or carpenter does, when you come across various new materials and skills, you can add them to your DMM tool belt.

Essential DMM Tools and Resources

1. The Bible

This is so obvious I almost didn’t list it, but then I decided I must. The Bible (particularly the example of Jesus and the Apostles in the New Testament) is your most important instruction manual for how to start a DMM. Take extra time to study, re-read, and meditate on the principles for multiplying disciples that are there.

2. Just-in-Time Training

If at all possible, join a regular and ongoing training group with other practitioners. Disciple multiplication is not something that happens within a few months. Especially in the early stages, it can feel very slow.

We offer online and on-site training for those wanting to multiply disciples. This regular encouragement and input can make a huge difference.

Join the Getting Started in Disciple Making Movements course that has a great community as a part of it. It also includes monthly group coaching and the option of individual coaching as well.

Learning from books or one-off training has great value, but being part of a learning community will carry you the distance.

Besides those offered by our own organization, Disciple Makers Increase (DMI) there are many other wonderful training communities and DMM training resources available.

• Curtis Sergeant developed the simple, animated Zume course which is free and available in many languages.

• Steve Addison has excellent podcasts available on his website Movements and they offer training in various parts of the world as well.

• Learn from David Watson author of Contagious Disciple Making at
  https://www.contagiousdisciplemaking.com CDM has a wonderful app with regular prayer times available.

• Roger Thoman of Appleseed Ministry offers an online course on how to start a simple church. Appleseed offers onsite training in Africa. Write to them for more information on how to join these.

• No Place Left has excellent training if you are based in the USA.

• Chris Gallanos and Experience Life Now offer learning opportunities.

• Biglife offers excellent training and community. They are based in Florida and work globally.

Click the picture below to find out more about the Getting Started in Disciple Making Movements course, community, and coaching.

3. A Friendly Accountability partner and/or Coach

Is there someone else in your area who is also wanting to multiply disciples? Could you meet with them once a month (or even better, every two weeks) for friendly accountability, prayer, and encouragement?

• Paul Hillhouse, a senior-level coach who catalyzed a movement in Asia, offers excellent DMM/CPM and disciple-multiplication coaching.

• CMI also offers excellent coaches at a reasonable price.

If you are looking for a DMM coach and struggling to find one, write to us and we’ll do our best to connect you to someone nearby. But if you can’t find someone, I’d encourage you to sign up for our course which includes group coaching and in that community, you can find someone to be a friendly accountability partner. You can do what we call peer coaching which is also incredibly helpful!

4. A Community of Disciple Multiplication enthusiasts and practitioners.

It makes a big difference when you have friends walking alongside you on this journey. They can encourage, pray, answer questions, help you overcome roadblocks, and cheer for you when you see breakthroughs. If this is a face-to-face group, and that is available in your area, that is the best option.

If it is not, you can also join a multiplication-focused Whatsapp group. Or join the DMM Facebook Group. Visit regularly, contributing your input and commenting on other’s posts. These groups can greatly impact your sustainability and success.

5. Good Evangelism Tools that fit your context.

Talk with others in your area who work in your same people group. What tools are they using that are proving effective? Different tools work better for different contexts. Look for one or two that are simple to learn. Please don’t try to use them all! Mass evangelism approaches are generally not very reproducible. A personal presentation of Christ is generally more effective.

• Create International‘s Evangelistic videos have been used powerfully.
• The Jesus Film is available in many languages.
• Evangecube is a simple way to present the gospel.
• Creation to Christ story materials are widely available. The C2C Story app is also excellent. If you are working with Hindus, consider this version and app.
• Any 3 (available on the DMMs Resource page) is one of my favorite evangelism approaches for Muslims).

6. Disciple Multiplication and DMM/CPM Books.

If you have decided on a Training for Trainers approach, your manual will be the book T4T- A Discipleship Re-revolution. You can grab a copy from our DMM Resources page.
If you are using a Discovery Bible Study approach, I recommend getting a copy of Contagious Disciple-Making. This is also available on the  DMM Resources page.

And of course, my book The Multiplier’s Mindset is another key resource to help you on your journey.

How is Your Tool Belt and Library? Are you Ready?

Taking time to get your tools in hand as you begin to build really helps!

Which skill or knowledge or encouragement do you still need? What step will you take this week to put that in place? Let me know in the comments and always feel free to reach out to us for further guidance. We’ll do all we can to help direct you to the best resources and training for your particular needs.