The Art of Making Disciplesনমুনা

Forcible Proximity

Jesus modeled various discipleship principles, demonstrating that making disciples is not a one-size-fits-all approach. We are gifted with unique talents, abilities, and spiritual gifts meant for kingdom multiplication.

Over the next three days, we will explore key principles that Jesus shared to guide our disciple-making efforts.

One foundational principle of Jesus’ disciple-making journey was Forcible Proximity—a relational discipleship model where he positioned himself closely within the lives of his disciples. It was through this intentional closeness that trust and meaningful relationships were built, creating fertile ground for discipleship.

This initial step of forging close relationships can be challenging and requires patience and effort. We often have many valid excuses: personal issues, self-interests, and busy lives. Building relationships may seem counterproductive, especially when measured against worldly standards of success.

However, Jesus demonstrated a different path—the path of sacrifice and intentional relationship-building. His approach, rooted in forcible proximity, goes against the grain of cultural norms. The world teaches us to prioritize ourselves, encapsulated in the familiar mantra, “Take care of #1; if you don’t, no one else will.”

Putting others before ourselves is a significant challenge, particularly for men. We often resist the idea of coming alongside other men to build relationships. We naturally gravitate toward actions that serve our self-interest, avoiding discomfort or inconvenience for the benefit of others.

Yet, Jesus calls us to deny our self-interests and become vessels for disciple-making. This means setting aside our comfort and stepping into the lives of others, just as Jesus did. Forcible Proximity is about steadfastness and the willingness to embrace discomfort to build meaningful connections.

Practical examples of this principle might include staying committed to a men’s Bible study, even when tempted to skip it, or showing up for a workout with a brother when you'd rather sleep in. The temptation to retreat into comfort and complacency is always present, but Jesus calls us to push past it.

Jesus’ model of forcible proximity challenges us to step out of our comfort zones, engage deeply with others, and prioritize relational discipleship. He calls us to GO—into the lives of others, the messiness of relationships, and the fruitful adversity that comes from living out this principle.

We follow Jesus’ example by embracing forcible proximity, building trust, and fostering relationships where true disciple-making can flourish.