Today Steve and I continue our conversation about being disciple makers.
As disciple makers it is important to realize there are key seasons in the life of disciples where they tend to be more receptive and open. One of those is right after being born again. Another is when there are seasons of change in people’s lives. Any ‘birthing’ or ‘transitional’ season creates great potential for bonding and embracing new ideas and ways of doing things.
One thing that inspires disciple makers is people who are hungry, paying attention, and looking for opportunities. Steve says he saw an aggressiveness or an “I’m in!” attitude in me when we first met. Hunger will prime the pump of those who have something to give. A disciple who embraces and applies what is given tends to keep the flow going from the disciple maker.
Steve and Janice interface with a lot of international students. They have seen firsthand the power of “being there” for students when they arrive in the country – from picking them up at the airport to providing a meal or taking them to buy things they need. This creates a bond which opens many relational doors going forward.
Sometimes it is simply being aware of life’s seasons. Steve is now at an age where he can put his arm on a younger man’s shoulder and breathe courage in them or help them relax. He also knows the strength of connections made by simply doing things together, whether sharing a meal, digging a hole, or stacking chairs.
I Peter 2:2 says, “Be like newborn babes who crave pure spiritual milk.” This showed up in my life during my first year of following Jesus. Every Wednesday night I met with two friends, Mitch and Terry, to read the word and discuss it together. It was the highlight of my week and it didn’t matter what else I was asked to do, the answer was no.
Steve shares when he came to faith at age 15 there was a large group of young men who were three to six years older than him who always had something going on. The key is to create relational environments that are healthy and then invite new believers into them. Then no one person is carrying all the weight alone.
Healthy discipleship usually takes place within a group dynamic. The group provides context and creates interaction between the disciples as well as with the disciple maker. This is easier and creates much less pressure than doing everything one on one.
This week ask the Holy Spirit, “Who forms my group? What relational environment should I be in to grow and be a disciple maker?”
