"Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ. Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love." - Ephesians 4:11-16
Choosing to disciple someone is one of the best decisions you can make. You’re making the growth of the Kingdom a priority and this is a decision God will honor every step of the way. We are called as believers to make disciples who will then make disciples and so on and so forth (Matthew 28:19). Prayer
The Bible tells us to pray about everything (Philippians 4:6). So before you even get started, take some time to pray. Ask God what he may have for you and for the person you are discipling through this relationship.
Getting Prepared As teachers or leaders, we need to ensure that we don’t ask those we are working with to go over Biblical truths and foundations that we have not yet explored ourselves! Take some time to think about your answers to these questions:
Who is God to you?
How well can you retell the story of Jesus?
What does Jesus' death mean to you?
What so you find difficult or complicated to understand when it comes to the Bible?
What questions do you have about God, Jesus, faith, religion, or the Bible?
As you explore your answers to the above questions, it is important to remember that as people who are choosing to answer the call to make disciples of all nations, it doesn’t mean that we have to have the answers to all the questions. The Bible is clear that on this side of Heaven, some things of God will remain a mystery for His ways are higher than our ways, His thoughts higher than our thoughts (Isaiah 55:8-9). God isn’t asking you to know it all, He is asking you to trust Him to know it all and watch how He works through you and His Word to teach others about who He is and what He has done.
Also, be prepared to discuss the highlights or talking points of your journey of faith and of coming to know Jesus as Lord and Savior of your life during your initial meeting with someone.
The Initial Meeting
Take some time to get to know one another (if you don’t already have an established relationship). This could be a time for you to share about your faith journey. Ask them about their faith journey and if you feel led, even ask them some of the questions you answered above. Be sure to spend a lot of time just listening to where they are at so you can discern how God would have you move and pray over their life.
Let them know you are so excited to be on this journey with them and that you are here to answer any questions they may have. Make sure they know there are no stupid questions and that you’re a safe person in their life.
Encourage them to bring it all to the table. Remind them that the enemy (satan) so often wants us to keep things hidden, but that in this relationship you need them to be honest with you so you can continue to point them towards Christ in all things. Be sure to discuss expectations for your time together. Tell them that they are a priority in your life and it is important that they make your time together a priority in their life. Say that you expect them to come prepared to the meeting times, completing what ever scripture reading or assignments have been discussed. Tell them you will not always have all the answers, but that you promise to help guide them through their questions and help them discover answers to their questions using God’s Word.
Say that the enemy (or satan) is not excited about either one of you entering into this relationship and that you all need to be prepared for satan’s schemes and pray for protection from your Heavenly Father.
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