Did you know that a ministry that evangelizes thousands of people each year doesn't produce as many active, maturing Christians as ministries that do one-on-one discipleship with much smaller numbers? (source)
That's because many people who have salvation experiences in large groups never seek discipleship and never grow. Therefore, they never evangelize or disciple others.
But when someone is discipled in God's Word for a year, they're equipped to evangelize and disciple believers newer than themselves. It's a process of discipling discipilers.
This doesn't mean one year of discipleship is all we need to mature. Christians Are Life-long Students of Jesus. But a year of solid training and fellowship equips a believer to help newer believers in the same way he was helped.
Discipleship yields quality which leads to quantity. It's a multiplication process instead of simple addition.
But methods and stats don't matter as much as faithfulness.
So let me get personal: What plans do you have for this upcoming year? How do you plan to grow and/or help others grow in Christ?
Please join me in praying that God will make us:
♥ Faithful in sharing the Gospel and discipling those He places in our path.
♥ Deliberate about our personal growth in Christ.
Jesus told us to make disciples, not converts (Matthew 28:18-20).
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Take 5 minutes and do a short, nutritious Bite Size Study on this devotion HERE.
I want to be intentional in absorbing God's word and having courage to follow Him in all areas of my life! I've put together some "focus" verses to meditate on, but will also be listening to Him and actively seeking to grow in my faith!
ReplyDeleteBlessings, Joan
I also want to be more intentional, Joan. I like your idea about mediating on "focus" verses. I always benefits from that type of thing. You're spurring me on to do the same.
DeleteI think what you are saying is so important! I experienced this in my own life. After praying with my friend and recommitting my life to Jesus I wanted someone to disciple me in God’s Word. I struggled wanting to soak up everything I encountered in God’s Word and sometimes feeling the difficulty in finding my focus. I really would have loved that friend to take me under her wing for a year, because she was my angel....
ReplyDeleteHere's what Jesus said about it:
ReplyDeleteAnd Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” -- Matthew 28:18-20
According to the Holy Bible, and the Word, he left us with, is to follow CHRIST, he went out preaching the truth, and gave us the command to do the same thing, and to get people interested in the gospel, you can still do one on one, but we are to do what he said.
ReplyDeleteI'm learning as I spend more time with God a sudden urge comes upon me to speak more openly and bold about the gospel.a true feeling of love knowing it does not matter what others may think because now I know my purpose.
ReplyDeleteDo you have, or have you put together a favorite discipleship plan? There are many options out there, but I would love to see your "style" of plan, or hear your recommendation. BLN is such a favorite of mine! Thank you Gail
ReplyDeleteThanks for your encouragement, Gretchen. I appreciate it.
DeleteI wish I could give you a good answer. I know there are lots of good materials out there. I've done quite a bit of discipleship, but I've usually written the materials myself. I've also done some mentoring but I've usually determined what specific materials to use based on the woman's particular needs/problems/maturity.
I like materials that teach us how to apply biblical principles to our lives in practical ways. Maybe someone else will give some recommendations in this comment stream. I hope so!
HI Gail. This is my morning Devo everyday. Keep it up. :)
ReplyDeleteTo clarify the part you said Jesus told us to make disciples, not converts? Shouldn't it be Jesus told us to make disciples, not JUST converts?
Yes, Tami, that's an accurate way to put it. A disciple would be a convert first and then a disciple.
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