Discipleship is our journey of following Jesus as our Lord. Discipling is part of this process. It’s helping others to do so, so that they become more like Christ. It’s investing in the spiritual well-being of others by participating in the work God has begun in them through Christ that will be brought to completion at His return.
Remember Jesus’ words to Peter in John 21:17, “Do you love me? . . . Feed my sheep.” It begins with our love for the Lord because He first loved us. We love Him by loving those He puts under our care. It’s obeying His commission in Matt 28:19-20 by leading others to obey Him. This happens within the spiritual family life of the church we’re born and baptised into.
It starts when we initiate a relationship with someone open to our input. It could be someone we’ve influenced or led to Christ, someone new in our Discipleship Group, or someone introduced to us due to our common interests or life stage. Ask questions about them and listen. Share insights of what you see God doing in their lives and pray with and for them. Aim to support their spiritual growth.
A key is to teach them God’s Word. We can also read a good Christian book and discuss it together. We can read a book of the Bible like the Gospel of John or Mark with them. Or we can work through the Design and Discipleship Books 1 and 2 with them.
Sometimes, we may need to gently correct, point out errors, or caution against questionable choices by discussing foreseeable consequences and desired outcomes. Growth happens through such ministry moments of shared vulnerability and openness.
Discipling also requires modelling. Rain or shine, we can exemplify our commitment to the Lord through our regular attendance and contributions to the church and our Discipleship Groups. We can involve them in our area of ministry. People learn by watching and participating. We can create opportunities for them to serve alongside us. Over time, we may even pass on some of our roles to them.
When we spend time with them, hold meaningful conversations around God’s Word, and bring them to serve alongside us, through God’s working, we will impact them. But this will take time, patience, and commitment. It will require regular scheduled meetings, study, and prayer. In the end, before Christ, we desire to be found faithful when we give an account of how we’ve invested our lives in His people.