Disciple to Faithਨਮੂਨਾ

Proximity Matters

Discipling someone to faith doesn’t happen from a distance: proximity matters. Of course, we have access to Christian content online and in books, but Jesus called His disciples to Himself, and they came to Him. They did life together. And when Peter and John stood before the Sanhedrin, the latter noted that these two fishermen-turned-apostles had been with Jesus. His influence on them was palpable because we learn and change simply from being in another’s presence.

Of course, not every person is safe or ready to be invited into our lives. We need to be wise, prayerful, and Sprit-led when it comes to allowing people to come close. But thankfully, some people are safe and ready to walk the road of discipleship with us. The question is, are we ready to walk with them, building mutual trust by allowing them to be themselves and by being our authentic selves too? Perhaps you like the idea of discipling someone, but you feel like you just don’t have time. The reality is we all have exactly the same amount of available time – 24 hours a day, 60 seconds a minute, and so on. The issue isn’t time. The issue is priority.

Discipling someone to faith isn’t rocket science. It can start with a phone call inviting them to read the Bible with you. Of course, it’s possible we’ve so Christianised our world that our entire circle is Christian. We need to be prepared to reach out to people beyond that comfort zone. It’s also important to recognise that any fear we may experience at the thought of discipling someone to faith masks the real issue: our pride. Ask yourself: What am I really afraid of when it comes to discipleship, and what’s the worst that can happen? How is my fear ultimately connected to my ego – and what’s my next step?

Jesus says, ‘I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels – a plentiful harvest of new lives.’ Later, He says, ‘There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.’ Spend some time asking God what it is that needs to die in your life (like pride or misplaced priorities) in order for God to bring about ‘a plentiful harvest of new lives’, and what it might look like for you to lay down your life for a friend who doesn’t yet know Jesus – because proximity matters. God drew near to us by coming to Earth in a human body, and we’re called to draw others nearer to Him in the same way. May God strengthen you as you prayerfully prepare to give people access to your life. May He lend you wisdom, discernment, courage, and kindness. And as you humbly and unselfishly invite others in, may God Himself show up too.