Stage Overview:

GEN 1 TO GEN 2

Getting over the “hump” from generation 1 to generation 2 can be a long and trying process - but the Father stands ready to guide us as we seek Him. Oddly enough, one of the main obstacles to moving from Generation 1 to Generation 2 and beyond is the outside catalysts (foreign or local) doing too much. Many would-be movements get stuck at this stage for months or years simply because the initial groups are too dependent on the outside catalyst to lead their groups or make decisions. Unfortunately, oftentimes groups that are too dependent on outside catalysts never multiply, regardless of efforts in that direction. It is often only when the outside catalysts take a back seat and push insiders to lead by seeking God themselves that early groups will grow and multiply. God has a sense of humor in how we reminds us to keep directing his people back to Him, and not to let them get stuck on us!

Growth in this stage must be built upon a foundation in the life of each believer of direct, personal, relational interaction with God expressed in worship, listening prayer, relational study of God's Word, and communal discernment, among other things. So much of what a new believer needs in this stage can't (or shouldn't) be received secondhand - we need to show believers how to receive what they need from the Lord, and then move out of the way. When that happens, we open the door to miraculous intervention, to believers receiving dreams and visions from the Lord calling them to reach out, to share with family, friends, and neighbors. When we get out of the way, the empty space we vacate gives room for new apostles, prophets, evangelist, shepherds, teachers, and more to emerge; and then these gifts start to become evident in the lives of believers, it means the church is on the verge of growth!

Lastly, after the first churches come into existence, they will often encounter persecution, social pressure, or familial rejection. This is one reason it is so important to reach groups and families as we see in the New Testament. We can then assist these groups in becoming deeply rooted in relational, listening connection with God will also help to ensure that pressure strengthens the churches rather than destroys them.

Prayer Priorities for this Stage:

* Pray that new Generation 1 fellowships are reliant on the Holy Spirit and the Word of God, not on the outside leaders

* Pray that these new disciples will continue to share the kingdom of God, heal the sick, and invite people to discover who God is through Scripture

* Pray that Gen 0 leaders will prioritize helping Gen 1 leaders grow and Gen 1 churches start new discovery groups and churches over Gen 0 starting more Gen 1 groups

* Pray that Gen 0 and Gen 1 leaders will truly understand and live out the model-assist-watch-launch process

* Ask for greater dependency on God for breakthrough in all areas

* Pray and listen around how to more effectively intercede for specific leaders in each generation; consider their unique needs and situations

* Ask God to deeper prayer among leaders in the house churches

* Pray and listen around how to mobilize more prayer for new believers and leaders of house churches

* Ask God to prepare the local disciples and leaders to respond well to persecution. Ask for persecution and pressure to act as fuel for the expansion of the kingdom, rather than as an obstacle.

* Spend more time in listening prayer, especially around the needs of emerging leaders