Making DisciplesSample

Aim for multiplication

Paul encouraged Timothy to teach the truths he heard from him to reliable men who would, in turn, teach others. Herein lies the very important principle of multiplication. Simply put, we cannot reach the world with a philosophy of addition to churches. We must teach those we disciple to multiply by teaching others to do the same.

Yes, we are looking for things to go beyond ourselves.

Read through 2 Timothy 2:2 with those you are discipling and discuss the principle of multiplication vs. addition. Do an exercise of what the reach looks like over 10 years, and you’ll be forever convinced that this little principle is one of the key ingredients to healthy disciple-making.

2 Timothy 2:2 What you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also. ESV

Pray together regularly

I should have put this first. It’s that important! Pray together with your disciples. Every time you meet.

Modeling a rhythm of prayer and modeling how to pray is like a spiritual heartbeat that you are weaving into their DNA and into healthy discipleship practices.

1) Pray through scripture together, like the prayers of Paul in Ephesians 1 & 3, Philippians 1, and Colossians 1.

Paul models to us how he prays, and we can do the same.

2) Pray to impart the gifts of the Spirit.

3) Pray prophetically over your disciples to encourage them.

4) Pray over the people you are reaching out to. Ask the Father for their salvation by name.

5) Pray while you are walking with your eyes open to create prayer as a (super) natural occurrence of life.

6) Pray the Lord’s Prayer.

7) Pray many, many prayers of thanksgiving.

We cannot raise healthy disciples without healthy prayer. Jesus only did what He heard His Father say. How much more should we be praying so that we can walk in the ways of our Saviour Jesus, listening to the words of life that come from the throne room of God?

Give them homework

You want to know that your disciple is serious, right? Give them homework and look for obedience to what they have agreed to do. If I am discipling someone and they regularly don’t do what I have asked them to do, I am likely to stop discipling them. At times, this is hard, but I want my time to be invested in good soil. I look for fruitfulness to invest in, and fruitfulness mostly comes from people who are prepared to do what they say they will do. It’s specifically for the sake of developing biblical truth and maturity. What are the things to consider when giving homework? Ask them to discover biblical truth for the things they are struggling with themselves, rather than teaching them what is in your head. People retain so much more when they discover the truth themselves, and this gives them opportunity to hear the Holy Spirit personally.