Called to Make Disciples (Who Make Disciples)
There are few things in the church - any church - that are as challenging, yet joyful, as trying to lead a small group of people to love and obey Jesus more. Some weeks our Gospel Community gatherings are super-charged with deep conversation and encouragement. Yet, during other weeks I feel like my mind and energy are entirely focused on trying to figure out what my 7-month baby boy needs in that moment. Depending on when you catch us, you might think our gathering is a decent reflection of Christian community; or you might think it’s a complete zoo as we watch our kids do silly things. Personally, I think I can live with that because it’s not just the weekly small group gatherings that I want you to take notice. I hope that you would witness my wife and I, and the others in our Gospel Community, living intentionally throughout the week. As a follower of Jesus I have been called to make disciples. As I grow into my role at Redeemer, I hope that I can continue to encourage all of our group leaders to make disciples (who make disciples) as well. I want Redeemer’s Gospel Communities to be vehicles for disciple making.
So, what does this “disciple-making” strategy look like in everyday life? Well, I can tell you that it’s primarily a work of the Spirit of God. But, I can also tell you that it’s a dynamic and evolving process, not a rigid procedure. This list is not exhaustive, but here are a few ways I have tried to wrap my mind around disciple making:
- Sharing Meals: Heather and I love having people over for dinner. However, sometimes we might just meet up with them at Rosa’s. Either way, everybody wants to eat. The “discipleship” element of that meal doesn’t mean we start expounding the Sermon on the Mount. Instead, it means that we seek to listen to those whom we have invited. We aim to share the challenges of trusting in Jesus to help us raise Thaddeus, and the joy of sensing God sanctify our marriage. Simple questions drive our conversation: “where are you struggling in life,” or “what can we celebrate with you,” or “what has been most surprising about life in the last few weeks.” Whether we are sharing that meal with other Christ-followers or non-believers, we are seeking to listen and seeking to point them to Jesus. God even uses this time to help me grow and mature. It’s a two-way street.
- Running Errands: I know this sounds unconventional, but occasionally it happens for me. It may sound like I am over-spiritualizing running errands, but let me explain. Sometimes we need to get stuff done and sometimes we want to catch up with a friend. Why not do both at the same time? You won’t need to prepare anything and both of you may even need to go to the same place. Maybe you and your co-worker both need to go to Office Depot or the Post Office. Make plans to go together and trust God in that moment.
- Pray: I mentioned that “disciple making” is primarily a work of the Spirit of God. Committing to pray for any individual is a part of the process. Pray for the people God has placed in your circle of influence. Pray that the Creator of the universe would make himself known to them in deep and life-changing ways.
I certainly don’t think I have a great handle on doing these things, but I do believe that God wants to work in these moments. Don’t expect to have a great conversation the first time around; do expect God to be at work. Don’t expect it to be neat and easy; do expect God to be at work.
Will you join with me in striving to live intentionally toward making disciples?
Will you join with me in committing these moments (among others) to God?
Will you join with me in seeking to point people to Christ our Savior?
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