I was recently at a small group, and we were discussing more on the idea of discipling and how every single Christian has been called to be a discipler. I do actually love discipling. I used to disciple some young women when I was in college. I would spend time leading a Bible study and then I would also meet one on one with some of the girls to go over God’s Word in more detail. This was a wonderful chance to get into God’s Word and see what God was doing with the other girls in my Bible study.
I have been really desiring to meet one on one and getting the chance to disciple once again. I have discussed this with a couple of my pastors because I have marked down my interest in discipling on the volunteer forms they have handed out in church. I have received a few emails back about the pastors looking for someone interested in being discipled that I can eventually meet with. However, one question I have received from them was asking if I knew of anyone who would want to be discipled. Is there anyone who I believe could do well with meeting one on one?
This really made me stop and think. I wanted the pastor to set this all up for me. However, that isn’t really the best way to be a Christian disciple. The best way to be a Christian disciple is to find those who really need a stronger relationship with Christ. Then you spend time giving them more guidance. This is something we can be praying over as we are talking to other believers, maybe ones that just came to the faith. Sometimes, these people seek you out and ask to be discipled. Then there is an opportunity if you are willing to also speak truth to them. We could even be praying for this opportunity for this as well.
We also need to remember that as a discipler, you do not need to know everything. We are never going to know everything as a Christian. We can remember to stay humble and have an open heart to learn more and more about Christ. This can even be taking a few more notes on what you have been learning in your personal study and then sharing that on with the next person. This can also be something we continually pray over, guidance in what we want to spread on to another generation of Christians.
There are many verses about being teachers of the Word. However, one of the greatest of these is the Great Commission. This is Matthew 28:18-20 which says, “And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” This is a good reminder that the Lord has predestined all these things to happen. He has set the plans in a very particular way. He invites us to be a part of the sovereign plan, and this can include sharing the Gospel on a regular basis.
Sometimes we can assume this means we need to go out and tell 100 people every day about Christ. This would be awesome and we should definitely tell a lot of people about Jesus. However, as I have learned about the power of multiplying, there is power in the ability to really spread the love and knowledge of Christ with a few people who will then spread this same message with a few more people and on and on. This will create spiritual generations and really spread God’s love faster and more deeply and thoroughly.
The challenge for this week is to spend time thinking about those who you could disciple. Is there anyone you know in your Bible study or in your life who really wants the chance to know Christ or you know they are looking for more in life? Is there a chance you could be the extra light this person needs? The other big piece of this challenge is really being willing to pray over the opportunity to disciple someone, and I am going to give an example of praying over having someone to disciple in the ending of this blog post.
Dear Lord,
Thank you for the love and the grace you have given us. You have really blessed all of us, with an opportunity to follow you and to love you. You have also given us the opportunity to walk alongside others to deeper follow you.
I want to spend some time in prayer over finding someone to really dive deep into your word with. I know the main role of a Christ follower is to follow God and then help others do the same. Please help make me aware of the needs and the desires of those I am in contact with on a regular basis. Please help me to find others and help bring them closer to you. Please help me seek guidance and love from you on this journey.
Please help me to love you with all my heart.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen
Colossians 3:23 Blog 