In this world we are living in trying to really understand the heartbeat of Jesus and the mission of the Church is at times very tough! We have to literally at times bring things to a screeching sudden stop to really look at what we are doing and evaluate if it is a work of the Spirit or the flesh. I am convinced that if we really took a look, much of what we do and the energy we exude is for no effect and purpose because at times it is just us going through the motions. I would like us to pause for a few moments and really look and evaluate our discipleship, our discipline and the reason behind everything we do…
Today Discipleship is being discussed on many Facebook conversations and people I talk to these days, and that is great news! I have been passionate and active in making disciples for over two decades, and it touches me deeply to see so much discipleship discussion happening in the today. However I do believe that many people discussing discipleship actually lack a complete understanding of what it is! Most believers have a genuine desire to participate in the Great Commission; however they aren’t really sure what to do and where to start. I pray that these words will be helpful to the reader, no matter what stage of life you are in, as you pray about what God is calling you to do in the area of discipling or even your own personal discipleship process.
Often, if we don’t know what to do, we do nothing at all. We may see the problem, but if we don’t know how to practically solve it, we avoid it. Discipleship starts with integrity, how do people view you and the way you speak love and treat others?
For many years we have thought discipleship is just learning as much information that we can about Jesus. Filling our heads with knowledge about Him. While growing in our knowledge of Jesus is certainly part of discipleship, it’s not all of it. Many of us are good at articulating and sharing the gospel, but we’re not good at sharing our lives. Yes, we learn information but if we never pass that on we merely become a gospel consumer and not a coworker. The truth is that the gospel came to you because it was heading to someone else.
We live in a society where we were taught that the pastors and elders of the church do all the ministry instead of equipping the saints for the work of ministry. Looking at Jesus as our example, we don’t see Him constantly inviting everyone to the synagogues to hear the Rabbi preach or teach that weekend; we see Him being the guide to a group of disciples on a daily basis and living life with them. He was teaching the disciples to follow after Him as He followed after God. That is discipleship, learning to emulate the love and kind gentle spirit of the one we follow!
Looking at Jesus as our model for the method of making disciples, we see that He was intentional in how He led them. He was always teaching them His Word. He taught them how to minister to others. He let them assist Him in doing the work of ministry until they were ready to be sent out to do ministry on their own. They weren’t “assisting” Him anymore; they were on the front lines themselves! Imagine the conversations that took place when they all returned and shared what God had done on their trips! Discipleship changes the “come and see” mentality to a “go and tell” one. True discipleship teaches you to live out your faith.
It will be helpful to define some disciple-making terms before we discuss practical tips. Discipleship is intentionally equipping believers with the Word of God through accountable relationships, through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit in order to replicate faithful followers of Christ. You don’t point fingers, judge use critical conversation to challenge or change others you live it out daily in front of them……they will know you are a disciple by your love!!!!!
What is most important to consider is that you cannot make disciples if you aren’t one yourself. You have to be teachable and be able to yourself receive discipline. Discipleship is a lifestyle, not something we turn on and off one time a week when we sit around a table with a group of others, or are posting or sharing pious statements on Facebook! On a side note, discipleship happens around tables, not in rows. It’s not a lecture but a dialogue/discussion. A disciple is who we are every day, all day and using the overflow of our own relationship with the Lord to invest that into others. If I am not spending time with the Lord, I have nothing to draw from in order to pour into someone else. My spiritual well would be empty and dry. However, if I am saturating myself with Scripture, I will not be able to help myself as I share that with others because my cup is full and overflowing!
I believe there are three major sources to draw from when investing in the lives of others—God’s Word, God’s Work, and God’s Wonder (the Holy Spirit living inside of us). God’s Word is the centerpiece of all that discipleship is! His Word is where we learn knowledge, wisdom, and truth. His Work is where we apply and live out the knowledge, wisdom, and truth we learn. And we do all this through depending on His Spirit living inside of us.
The power of His Holy Word is amazing! I tell everyone that I have the privilege of meeting with that God’s Word is living and active (Hebrews 4:12). I want to drive this home—it is living and breathing and it is doing something! It never returns void and always accomplishes it purpose and shall succeed in the thing for which God sent it (Isaiah 55:11).
Let’s consider His work in our life. God has given you a lifetime of lessons and experiences that only you can share. Nothing has happened by chance in our lives. God is very intentional and doesn’t make mistakes. If He has allowed something in your life, it wasn’t only meant for you to learn and grow but it was meant for others, too. Remember what God has done, reflect on that, remind yourself if you need to and retell it.
The Holy Spirit is our constant companion and guide in the Christian life. Acts 1:8 says that we will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon us to be His witnesses. John 14:26 tells us that the Holy Spirit is our Counselor sent to us by God who will teach us all things and remind us of everything Jesus has said. Making disciples requires a dependence on the Holy Spirit. You need His wisdom and discernment throughout the entire process, and Jesus has fully equipped us to be coworkers in reaching the ends of the earth by sending us His Spirit.
When I preach or share with others, my mouth may be moving but my head and heart are praying for wisdom to address whatever is being asked or shared! Living as a disciple means living with a constant dependence on Jesus. A verse that I literally pray every day is Psalm 119:18-19 “Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law. I am a sojourner on the earth, hide not your commandments from me!”
Use the Word and the Work and depend on the Holy Spirit daily to invest in others!
A few tips as you get started.
1. Pray. Jesus prayed all night in Luke 6:12-13 before He called the disciples to Himself. Think about your areas of influence, where you are currently involved, people in your Sunday school, small group, exercise class, your coworkers, etc. Write their names down on a list and pray over them and see if God would have you speak to them.
2. Plan your process. It is essential to have a Bible reading plan to go through. Determine the time frame that you will meet (12-18 months). Learn to live by this saying—if you fail to plan you can plan to fail. You need a plan in discipleship. What do you want to accomplish in the time you have with your family and others!
3. Daily speak, live and walk out the love of Jesus Christ in your Life and you will have many opportunities to share and live our your discipleship practically. If you are negative, critical, judgmental, arrogant or proud you will never be able to reproduce your faith in anyone!
4. Keep a Positive attitude! Always remember Philippians 4:8 and live by it! “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” This is the attitude that will help you reproduce and be a strong disciple but also a tremendous discipler!
Keep your eyes open a tremendous Discipleship group program is starting @New Hope, January 2018
John T Swineys Blog 
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