Get Some Disciples
You cannot create a disciple-making movement all by yourself or try to do it by “going it alone.” You can, however, create a disciple-making movement by getting some disciples. You’ll need your own disciples—evidence that you have the discipleship-first DNA. Choose carefully who will join you on this journey because this trip will be long with causalities. Ask faithful people to join you, those who are also willing to learn to teach others (2 Tim. 2:2). While they will eventually teach others, you must first teach them.
You may recall the conversion of Saul, the self-described chief persecutor of Christians, to Apostle Paul (he was called “Saul” until after his conversion). The Lord had directed him to go to Damascus and find a man named Ananias. When they met, Ananias spoke God’s word to Paul, and he was filled with the Holy Spirit. Scales fell from his eyes, and he was baptized. Paul began to preach, and he was both compelling and irrefutable. The tables had turned, and Saul the persecutor had become Paul the persecuted. Saul was passionate about punishing Christians, and now he was just as passionate about proclaiming the gospel, even if that meant being punished for serving Christ. He was popular with some, but hated by others. We know this story fairly well, but after his conversion, when he was facing persecution, his disciples stepped up to help him out.
This is an excerpt from The Discipleship Gospel (available in eBook and paperback). Get a discount by using code ‘TBP’ at checkout when you order here.
As the story goes, the religious Jews in Damascus were plotting to kill him (you get the idea that this story takes place a few weeks, possibly even months, after Paul’s conversion). In response to the plot against him, Paul’s friends agreed that he needed to leave the city to escape. Apparently, the gates were being watched, so one night Paul was lowered in a basket over the wall, allowing him to escape.
I (Bill) have always found it important at this point in the story that the people on the other end of the rope were his disciples (Acts 9:25 says, “his disciples”). After Paul was gone from Damascus, the gospel remained and so did a community of disciples. While some disciples preceded Paul (such as Ananias), many became disciples as a direct result of Paul’s preaching. Naturally, we ask, “Who are your disciples?” Choose wisely because eventually you will need partners, comrades in arms.
Write down a few names of potential disciples, not many—just five or less. Pray over these people and make a checklist of qualities you’re looking for in disciples. Consider the following list of what we consider to be the first and most important qualities:
Hungry to learn, not just content
Has ministry skills
Willing to replicate
Willing to teach others
Proven faithfulness
Available—regardless of their ability or likability; if they are unavailable, then all their great qualities don’t matter
Willing to be criticized, lose friends, have family members get angry with them, or be embarrassed for the sake of the gospel
Willing to change their personal schedule, even vacation plans, to keep commitments
Willing to lead others and work with you for several spiritual generations
We recommend that you make a written covenant, but make sure you’re willing to sign it before you present it to others. Sometimes, whether we’re paid professionals or lay leaders, we forget to personalize such things for ourselves. Too often we leave people behind in the middle of discipling them because we got a “better opportunity.” Plan to spend one year with these chosen ones. Stay in relationship with them, though, because when they start leading, they’ll need you more than ever.
This was taken from The Discipleship Gospel by Bill Hull and Ben Sobels. Used by permission of HIM Publications. Use code TBP at checkout for a discount when you place your order here.