No matter the life-stage you‘re in there is always the need to take your spiritual journey with Jesus to a deeper level. This truth is most evident when someone becomes a new Christian. Like someone at a new job, they are full of questions and continually seeking answers. Mature Christians need to capitalize on the unquenchable thirst of young Christians.
Discipleship doesn’t have to be complex. My desire is that both the established believer and the one who is new in Christ will find fulfillment and success as they journey toward Christ together. Mark Batterson defines success as “doing the best you can with what you have where you are.” Here are some ideas on “simple discipleship” which branch off of the three principles in Batterson’s definition.
1. Doing The Best You Can.
Everyone can do something, so do your best at that something. All Christians were new Christians at one time. Thinking back it wasn’t just the sermons or the classes that made me who I am today; it was the relationships. Growing people grow people. Mentoring is simply doing only what you can do for someone else. Therefore, be involved; share your life with them.
The key is not to let doing what you can’t stop you from doing what you can. You are unique so use that uniqueness to make a transformative impact on their life.
2. With What You Have.
1 Corinthians 12:7 explains that the “manifestations of the Spirit are given for the common good.” Everyone has spiritual gifts that give a unique slant on how they can help others grow. Therefore, know your spiritual gift. For example, if you have the gift of encouragement, use that gift to encourage that new Christian to persevere through those tough questions and tough times they face early on in their journey.
You also have a set of skills that are unique to you. Maybe you are a natural leader; apply those skills to lead them closer to Christ. Maybe you are athletic; use those skills to build common ground and experiences that creatively disciple. You have unique gifts and skills. Find them. Develop them. Use them.
3. Where You Are.
Time is always an issue in the hi-tech, fast-paced, Wifi dominated world we live in. But Jesus was the master at taking an ordinary thing, found in everyday life, and making an extraordinary truth come alive. You must learn the art of developing eyes to see and ears to hear what the Spirit is saying. Maximize every opportunity you have to help someone grow.
Take an ordinary moment right where you are at to speak a truth into the life of the one you are disciplining. They may not even know it is a teaching moment, but the power of your relationship with them in that moment can have an eternal effect on their growth and development.
The idea of “simple discipleship” is meant to start a discovery process that will help you create unique ways to disciple, mentor, and care for those who are fresh in their faith journey. There are millions of ways this can be done but you have to start by “doing the best you can with what you have where you are.”
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