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Summary:
In this episode, we sit down with a Dr. Craig Ott, a professor at Trinity International University, to explore whether the Book of Acts reveals patterns of movements—or if that’s reading too much into the text. Together, we unpack powerful themes of growth, opposition, and multiplication that echo from Genesis through Acts and into today’s disciple-making movements (DMMs) and church-planting movements (CPMs).
Whether you’re a church leader, missionary, or simply curious about biblical movements, this episode offers rich insights into how Acts continues to shape our understanding of gospel expansion today.
Key Points From This Episode:
– Many passages in the book of Acts repeatedly talk about growth, increase, and speak of thousands coming to faith.
– This increase that took place was almost always in the midst of opposition.
– Multiply and increase are major Biblical themes all the way back to Genesis. In the book of Acts, its not a unique expression of that theme, but one that is consistent with the whole of Scripture.
– As we look at Acts in reference to movements we should look for the dynamics of the Holy Spirit, the trajectory not trying to imitate every action we find there.
– There are many examples of things happening in the book of Acts that are similar to what we see in modern day DMMs or CPMs today. Things like whole regions being saturated with the gospel. Or 50 villages hearing the good news.
– There is no way the gospel could have saturated those entire areas or regions unless ordinary Christians were doing the work of the ministry.
– 7 Principles from Acts that are relevant for Movements.
1) Movements are a work of God.
2) Movements are built on God’s message – The Gospel.
3) Movements result from evangelism that includes church planting.
4) Movements empower ordinary believers to share their faith.
5) Movements depend on local leaders.
6) Movements can expect to face opposition.
7) Movements should be connected to the larger body of Christ.
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Links Mentioned in This Episode
BRAND NEW: Dare to Multiply Memberships
Cynthia’s BRAND NEW Multiplier’s Mindset Course
Order The Multiplier’s Mindset Book
Getting Started in Disciple Making Movements Course
