Waha Disciple Making ChallengeНамуна

It Happened Before - It's Happening Now!

Did you know there was a time in history when God’s people saw new people come to faith every single day? Are stories like this happening today as well? In today’s devotional, we will see what it looks like when the Church catches God’s heart for disciple-making.

Read Acts 2:42-47

How would you answer these questions:

1. What specific actions do you see the believers engaging in?
2. Who was involved in these activities—just leaders, or the whole community?
3. Where did these believers meet, and how might their meeting places have contributed to their growing numbers?

Disciple-Making Communities: A Key to Success

Even Jesus, who could have accomplished ministry alone, chose to form a community. At the start of His public ministry, He gathered twelve disciples—a diverse group of people who became the first Disciple-Making Community. Women joined later, playing significant roles in the movement. This choice underscores an important principle: Jesus valued partnership. He modelled how doing life and mission together strengthens relationships and furthers God’s work.

How Mission Builds Family

Anthropologist Victor Turner observed that the community-building rituals of Zambian tribes often involved shared challenges. For instance, boys were sent into the wilderness to rely on one another for survival. These experiences created strong bonds. Similarly, soldiers, athletes, and trauma survivors frequently report a deep sense of connection forged through shared trials and victories.

This same principle applies to disciple-making. Sharing the challenges and joys of mission with others fosters a sense of belonging and unity. Together, we grow into a spiritual family, bound not only by shared faith but also by shared purpose.

The Success of the Early Church

The early church thrived, even under persecution, because it embraced this communal model. Jesus Himself demonstrated this when He sent the seventy-two disciples out in pairs. Throughout the New Testament, God’s people work in teams: Paul journeys with Barnabas, Silas, or Timothy, while Aquila and Priscilla serve together as a married couple. Even the writing of the New Testament was a collaborative effort, with many of Paul’s letters co-authored by others.

This pattern reveals a powerful truth: when we engage in this mission together, the impact multiplies. Being in community fosters accountability, encouragement, and effectiveness, allowing the gospel to reach more people.

Who will join your Disciple-Making Community?

Today, we challenge you to take two simple steps:

1. Continue praying over your conversation quadrant. Reach out to someone on your list—either the same person as yesterday or someone new—and have a meaningful conversation.
2. Flip your conversation quadrant over and create a new list of like-minded believers who might want to join you in disciple-making. Spend a few extra minutes praying for these individuals. If no one comes to mind, pray for God to reveal someone to you.

Building a Disciple-Making Community begins with small steps of faith. Let’s take those steps together!

"...go and make disciples..." Matthew 28:18-20