If you are discipling another or want to, check out these resources:
Listen to this: The Call and Qualities of a Discipler
The Command = make disciples – we are all called to go, win people to Christ, teach, train, equip, reproduce (Matthew 28:19-20) and do this wherever we may be.
“If you are a Christian, you are a discipler.” John MacArthur
Read Acts 14
Effective disciplers:
- Minister spiritual gifts given by the Holy Spirit
- Courage and boldness in the face of difficulty (Acts 14:5)
- Power in witness to win someone to Christ and disciple them (Acts 1:8)
- Humility
- Persistence (Acts 14:20)
- Followup (Acts 14:21)
- Confirming / make solid in the word (sound doctrine)
- Exhort / urging person to proper course of conduct (confront problems/weakness – strengthen them)
- Lead / structure, what to do, pattern for living, stay in local church
- Commend to the Lord / pray for them
- Share with others what God is doing (Acts 14:24-25) – Recruitment
The Definition of a Discipler: The discipler enters into a one-on-one relationship with a new/younger believer from church, in order to guide the new/younger believer through a discipleship program and to provide a mature Christian friend for the purpose of mentoring.
The Description of a Discipler: The discipler must possess: a genuine love for and interest in the life of his or her disciple, a desire to reach and train people for Christ, loyalty to the local church, and the spiritual gifts of teaching and exhortation.
The Duties of a Discipler:
1. Meet weekly with disciple for up to 14 weeks (Partners)
2. Ensure disciple is completing homework for each meeting
3. Train your disciple in worship according to Romans 12:1-2 and throughout the week:
a. Make reading your Bible and praying the Scripture the number one priority
b. Listen to Christian music (e.g., Sovereign Grace Music, CityAlight, Shane & Shane, Keith & Kristyn Getty, Matt Boswell & Matt Papa, etc. – avoid new Hillsong, Elevation, Bethel)
c. Read Christian books like Christian Beliefs: Twenty Basics Every Christian Should Know by Grudem, The Holiness of God by RC Sproul, The Pursuit of God by AW Tozer
d. Learn about God – check out ligonier.org; study the 5 Solas
4. Encourage service – encourage your disciple to be part of outreaches and other activities of the local church
5. Check in – notice your disciple not at church, check in and make sure everything is ok
6. Understand – be aware of spiritual needs and struggles of your disciple and advise if help is needed
7. Multiply – after weekly meeting season comes to a close, encourage disciple to go through this process as a discipler
There are videos to prepare you for each meeting with your disciple. Check out the zero meeting before you start the program.
Excited for you! Let’s be praying for more 1 on 1 relationships to be formed as the Lord leads.
God bless you!
Pastor Ben
