Follow Me - Devotional on DiscipleshipSample

DISCIPLING OTHERS

When it comes to discipling those around us, it can be a little daunting, but discipleship doesn’t need to be as complex as it is often made out to be. For those of us who may feel daunted at the thought of discipling others, here are some helpful tips to get you started:

Keep It Real.

One of the most effective ways to disciple someone is through example, so the first thing to do is to commit to living a life of devotion to Christ – loving and serving Him just as He has loved and served us. Paul talks about this plainly in 1 Corinthians 11:1 – “Imitate me as I imitate Christ.” Discipleship is done in the same way – the disciple follows the example of the person who is discipling them.

Keep It Organic.

No one wants to be in a relationship with someone who feels ‘obliged’ to be in the relationship – we want to be in relationship with those who genuinely enjoy our company and conversation, and this is especially true when it comes to discipleship. A couple of questions to ask yourself: Do you enjoy the company of the person you’re discipling? Do you have points of connection besides church and Christian faith? If you answer ‘no’ to these questions, you may find it difficult to keep the relationship organic. A great way to start is to connect with people who share similar interests or family backgrounds to you.

Keep It About Service.

A powerful way Jesus ministered to those around Him was through servant leadership. He served the poor, He fed the hungry and He washed the disciple’s feet. Discipleship is about helping a person on their life's journey, and to do that effectively is to keep the focus on them, not on you. It’s about getting alongside them and serving them, showing them that you’re committed to helping them grow for however long the season requires.

Keep it Honest.

Jesus always created opportunities for His disciples to be honest with Him and it’s important for us to do the same for those we disciple. When we create a space for honesty through grace and don't shy away from the confessions we hear, we create trust. Through confession and honesty, we lead them to truth in love.

All in all, discipleship is about being authentic with those we are discipling. The more authentic we are, the more trust occurs, therefore the more influence we can have in a person’s life.

DAY FOUR ACTION POINT - Think about someone in your life with whom you share things in common. Perhaps send them a message or ask them in person if there is anything they would like prayer for.

PRAYER - Thank You Lord that we are created to be in deep fellowship with each other – we were never created to live life on our own. I pray that You fill me with wisdom and courage when it comes to discipling those around me. Let my life be a reflection of the Gospel, inspiring those around me to live a life of giving glory to You. Amen.