In my disciplemaking book for bivocational pastors, I share about my friend Tyler in Kentucky. Tyler came to Christ in 2013 in a dramatic way and started praying that the Lord would send him someone to help him learn more about the Bible, and how to walk as a believer and encourage him as he shared the Good News with his coworkers and family. On the flip side, I had been praying for someone to disciple!
As Tyler and I met each week, we both got a taste of what Luke 5:11 practically looks like.
And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.”11 And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him.
Looking back on ten years of intentional disciplemaking (ship), I’m all the more encouraged and spurred to practice a 2 Tim 2:2 sort of discipleship.
2 and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.
2 Tim 2:2
Leader, as you think about the group you lead; ask yourself the questions below. It’s my prayer that they encourage you to pray the same prayer as me in 2013. If you are currently active in making disciples, keep it up! Encourage others to do the same! Strive toward the goal and finish well!
- Am I a leader who prays about discipling other believers?
- Do I have a burden to pour into others?
- Is there a person or two that the Lord has placed on your heart?
- Am I open to allowing the Lord to put me outside of my comfort zone to disciple another believer?
- Do I see pouring into others as a necessity?
- Have I thought about disciplemaking as “every believer’s responsibility?”
- If I see it as a “must” for my group/church, what am I doing to make space for this weekly?
- How can I be equipped to disciple another believer?
- Have you personally encouraged/led another believer to take a step toward obedience? What did that look like? How did you and the other believer grow as a result?
- If you’ve never discipled another believer, what steps can you take to equip yourself to lead someone else?
- What would I need to give up or start doing to be a multiplying believer?
- Do you need to make some personal schedule adjustments?
- Do you need to block out a morning and invite others to join you for an hour or two?
- What does “regularly” look like for me?
- What does your schedule allow?
- Does the group I lead see intentional disciplemaking as something we all should ascribe toward?
- Is this something that is regularly discussed, prayed for, and encouraged?
- Would a church member be surprised to hear that they have a responsibility to pour into others?
- Does the group have a plan to multiply in the future? If so, who are you pouring into to take your place or lead the new group?
If you need some help/encouragement in getting started, please let me know! I can provide you with some examples, and resources, and would love to encourage you in person, or online!
Toby DeHay 