Today we start another series with my good friend Steve Sizemore. I know a lot of people who do a good job of making disciples. Steve, however, would be at the top of the list. He has poured himself into dozens of people and embodies our dual role as followers of Jesus to be disciples who make disciples.
In our conversation today Steve shares a definition from Jim Putman who says, “A disciple is someone who is saved by Jesus, changed by Jesus, and committed to the mission of Jesus.” Dallas Willard uses the word ‘apprentice’ when he speaks of discipleship. The apprenticeship model is based on the disciple maker modeling how to do things and inviting the disciple to do it with them.
Paul did this with his disciples. In 1 Cor. 11:1 he says, “Follow me as I follow Christ.”
So what gives us confidence to disciple others? First and foremost it is Jesus Himself. He tells all of us to make disciples so that includes you and me. And when Jesus tells us to do something we know it is possible and He will not only be with us but show us how!
When we ask most believers, “Are you a disciple?” They say, “Yes.” But when we ask, “Are you a disciple maker?” They say, “Well…”
So how about you? Are you a disciple maker? What are you waiting on? You can start right now. It’s not for when you reach a certain age or have a certain level of knowledge. Remember, “Make disciples” is a command of Jesus.
Paul says in 1 Thessalonians 2:8, “We were pleased to not only give you the Gospel but to give you our very lives.” This is what Jesus did, He invited His disciples into His life. He did life with them. He imparted His very life to them.
To some degree leadership and discipleship is more caught than taught. Teaching is the explanation which creates the context on which disciples can hang ideas. It is important. But then it is imperative for the disciple maker to share life experiences. It’s then that disciples observe and “catch” things. It’s then they have their “Oh. . .Oh. . .” moments and after observing and “catching” things they imitate them.
Now it’s up to you. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal someone who can disciple you. As you wait for Him to bring that person along begin to pour into someone else. Many times it is as we give out we begin to receive.
