“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” -Hebrews 10:24
Tears filled my eyes and my heart ached as I listened to her story. I had been through my own life struggles too, but nothing I had dealt with seemed to even come close to touching her hurt. Legally blind, a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis, and a marriage wrecked by her husband’s pornography habits had brought this young mom to a place of numb desperation and loneliness. I listened, I prayed, but I worried. Why did she come to me? Who am I to help her? How can I touch her heart? Yet, I knew. He had given me preparation through His Word, my own progress, and in the love I had for this woman. It was now time to act on God’s command. It was time to love her well. It was time to obey.
God has given four specific guidelines for biblical and intentional discipleship: Intentional Obedience, Spirit-Driven Focus, Generational Multiplication, and Patient Hope.
Intentional Obedience:
“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” -Hebrews 10:24
Looking forward to gardens for the coming year, we know that it will take planning and hard work. A bountiful garden doesn’t just appear because we imagine it to be so. In the same way, we must carefully plan and consider discipleship in our churches for it to be a fruitful ministry. That young mom I discipled couldn’t independently drive or get out of the house because of her disabilities. So, I’d work out a babysitter and head 45 minutes down the road to take her out to eat and do some shopping. It touched a felt need. Intentionality in discipleship is being available in their felt needs, recognizing where they are comfortable, and occupying the space where they live life. The Truth we share is always the same, yet the method may change. Study your people, know yourself, and look for the open doors God gives you.
What method of Truth-sharing will work for the needs, personalities, and culture of your people? How can you be intentional?
Spirit-Driven Focus:
“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, He will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” John 14:26
We are well aware that we cannot disciple through our own strength or wisdom. God was so good to know this struggle, and gave us the gift of the Holy Spirit. As we pray and seek guidance the Holy Spirit gives discernment to see those ripe for intentional discipleship. Then as we live life with these women He is an active participant in our relationships. This truly relieves our burden to have all the answers for their lives. Early on in ministry a mentor told me,
“Remember, you are not the Holy Spirit. Let Him do His job.”
Our job is to teach, train, and love those we disciple. Only the Holy Spirit can change their hearts.
Are you allowing the Holy Spirit to guide you to those you are to disciple? Are you allowing the Holy Spirit to be the Holy Spirit?
Generational Multiplication:
“You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, 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 Timothy 1:1-2
Within small-town and rural ministry we understand well the weight of generational multiplication. No farming family wants to be the generation that loses the farm. No rancher wants to be the one to auction it all off. They want to pass on their legacy and hard work. In the same way, we don’t want discipleship in our churches to end with us. Yet, if discipleship is always centered around us it will eventually be lost. We must be humble enough to let others join in, and we must be focused enough to see who to entrust in order to equip them in discipling the next generation.
Patient Hope:
“Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” -1 Corinthians 13:7
You have a front row seat to the Holy Spirit’s work in the lives of the women around you. Yet, I will not pretend that it is always an intense, moving experience of continual growth and unity. The thing is, we live life among sinful human beings in a cursed world. Personal frustrations, painful betrayals, and heartbreak are almost assured as we commit to the task of loving discipleship. However, we find hope in the fact that just as Christ faithfully works in us even through our continual betrayals of Him, so He will faithfully work in the lives of those we disciple.
Our hope in discipleship does not come from knowing the end of their story, but from knowing the Author of their story.
He simply asks us to be an active, loving participant in the chapter of their lives He has placed us in.
Are you faithfully involved in the chapter God has placed you in?
Remember that young mom I talked about at the beginning? God worked faithfully through the relationship she and I formed. We muddled through hurt and forgiveness and rejoiced in growth and hope. No, not every question was answered and not every struggle concluded. However, through intentional discipleship we progressed in our faith together and grew closer to Jesus. And, in the end, isn’t that what it’s all about?
Again, excellent material, Sarah!
I think that you are totally right that it’s important that we be intentional in our discipleship in order to pass on the faith in God’s church. I also think it’s one of the hardest things to do because we live in a world where people are so distracted and busy that it requires creativity and real commitment on our part to make it happen. Thanks for sharing this series with us. I will be referring to it again as I seek the Lord as to with whom He wants me to be intentional about discipleship.
I am enjoying reading your discipleship series! Thanks! Praying for God’s direction in this area!