Jesus at the Door: Evangelism Made EasySýnishorn

Discipleship Means Making Friends

If you are going to make a disciple, then it figures you are going to need to see them again. Making disciples is making friends.

Do you remember your first day of school? You walked in through the school doors and looked around to see a sea of strange faces. A sinking feeling may have come over you as you felt very alone. In that moment you have a decision to make to either stay alone or force yourself to leave your comfort zone and make friends. If you do the latter, then by the end of the first week you have a whole new circle of friends whom you feel you have known forever.

Most of us back then were willing to count the cost to leave our comfort zones because we really wanted it and knew it was essential for our growth. Many believers today do not realize just how essential making disciples really is for their growth as Christians.

The Holy Spirit once told me, If you count the cost, then I’ll give you the lost. The cost of making disciples looks like making room to love people. Making disciples is Commandment Number Two: Love your neighbor. “Go and make disciples of all the nations” looks great on a bumper sticker or a fridge magnet, but it is another thing entirely when it comes to the blood, sweat and tears of actually doing it.

Discipleship cannot be done from behind closed doors or from your armchair. It is often disappointing because people will let you down. Like all relationships, it is going to get messy. But, oh, what a beautiful mess it is! It is like raising kids—there is nothing more rewarding.

Remember, discipleship is a supernatural work, so we will never understand all the ups and downs. But we need to approach each individual faithfully with the same dedication, devotion and discipline to ensure we are fighting consistently for them all the same. Then we trust the Lord with the rest.

Remember the tandem bicycle analogy? Well, when it comes to follow-up, we do not get off the bike and neither does your Captain. Attack your follow-up and discipleship the same way you do evangelism—in partnership. If you bring the partnership, then He will bring the power.

We adapted this plan from another resource. Learn more at   http://bakerpublishinggroup.com/books/jesus-at-the-door/402731