Good morning, I was honored and humbled when asked to speak before this group. This morning I wanted to share some of my experiences working with others, mainly covering discipling or mentoring, but before that I wanted to share part of my story and how God brought me to where I am today. I was raised in NM on a ranch where I learned the value of hard work and trust in myself. There was not much God introduced in my life, a handful of visits to church, reciting the LORDS prayer before playing a sporting event, not really knowing why. Needless to say, I started out my life doing what I wanted, that turned into a marriage at a young age, divorced with a young son before I was 23. Married again shortly after with 2 more children before I was 28, still doing everything my way. Moving forward 5 years, 33 years old, my wife (who thankfully stuck with me through all this) saw a sign for a Saturday evening church service. We talked about it and thought it would be good to have our kids in church.Once there, God started to open my eyes to my failure as a husband, a father and that the path I was on was leading straight to hell, which I realized not only was I on that path but I was leading my family down that same path! There is a lot more to my story in-between all that, but thankfully God had a plan for my life, I accepted Jesus as my savior right before my 34 birthday and was baptized a short time later Sept. 9, 2001, along with my wife, and through that all three of my children have also come to know Jesus, along with my oldest granddaughter who I was honored to baptize.  

The reason I wanted to share that was between the time I set foot in the church and now I have had someone who saw the importance of discipling/mentoring me. I grew to know what it looked like to put God first, be the husband and father He desired. Over time I was led into leading a Sunday school class, and from there I was approached about leading in our children’s ministry. This started me on a whole new journey, I was blessed to be part of my kids and their groups on and off as they grew. As they graduated I was asked if I would take a group of 2nd grade boys, they had been through a few leaders… This started a ten-year journey that I really began to see the value in discipling or mentoring, I moved up each year with this group and know without a doubt that each of these young men know their savior, all this to say that no matter where you are in your walk or age there is someone that you can be discipling/mentoring or being discipled/mentored.    

Discipling” or, mentoring is guiding someone in how to follow Christ, share the gospel and have a personal relationship with God. It is an exciting process to be a part of because you get to help another person grow in their faith. Not only that, but when you disciple someone, you grow in your own faith and get to create a unique bond with the person or persons you disciple. It is a step of faith to disciple another person.

Jesus led His own ministry by discipling people setting the example for us to follow. In fact, one of the last things Jesus said to His followers was, “Go and make disciples” (Matt 28:19, New International Version). I think when we first read or hear that we think okay, but then we may think “How do we do that?” 

 Discipling someone is something every Jesus follower can do. How can you incorporate it into your life? Start by understanding what it means.

To disciple someone is to spend dedicated time with, pray for, build a friendship with and intentionally teach them how to grow in their faith. God created it to help humans build relationships with Him. He knows that we need community to grow; we cannot do that on our own.

The Bible is full of many different stories of discipleship. Three verses in particular help explain what it means.

1. “I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from My Father I have made known to you.” (John 15:15, NIV)

Jesus said these words to His own disciples. He spent the majority of His time with them, and He taught them everything they needed to know to have a relationship with God. It is pretty amazing to think that everything Jesus learned from God the Father, He taught to His friends. This is an important part of discipleship: Disciplers make God and the gospel clear to their disciples. How can you pass on to your disciple the things God has taught you?

2. “[Jesus] also told them a parable: ‘Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit? A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher.’” (Luke 6:39-40, English Standard Version)

The men Jesus invested in had to work through many problems. They struggled with some of the same issues we face today, anger, self-righteousness, fear and doubt, just to name a few. Who they were at the beginning of being discipled is not who they were at the end. This verse should be an encouragement knowing, anyone, no matter their flaws, can experience real change as they seek to follow Jesus and as mentors we can help in that process.

3. “And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.” (2 Timothy 2:2, New International Version)

Paul trained Timothy; he now wants Timothy to train reliable people, and he wants those people to train others. Are you hoping to disciple someone who has the leadership potential to disciple others? This is a good question to pray about as you consider discipling someone.

What is encouraging about discipleship is that you do not need to be a perfect Christian to disciple. Paul was terrorizing Christians because he hated them so much. Through God working in him, Paul and his disciples spread the gospel all over the world. God can use anyone, You do not have to know everything. You just need to keep taking the next best step.

Why Are Discipling Relationships So Important?

Currently, the Great Commission has not yet been fulfilled. There are still groups of people who have not heard the life-changing message of Jesus. This means that the command to make disciples is still true for Christians today. How is God asking you to step in and help fulfill the Great Commission?

Discipling others is extremely important. Incorporating it into your life will bless you and the people whom you disciple.

I have witnessed this through the many relationships that I have developed over the years, there is a huge burden upon me to invest in young men, so they do not fall into the pitfalls I have experienced. 

Some tips for Discipling, some of these you may already be practicing.     

1. Pray Often

This is not to be underestimated. Prayer will help you discern what God wants you to teach your disciple; it will help you feel connected to your disciple and it will keep you reliant on the Lord. As a discipler, you may feel like you are the one in control of your disciple. Prayer is a reminder that the Lord is in control and your job is simply to be faithful to what God is asking you to do.

What to pray for:  Who God is leading you to disciple. Wisdom for how to disciple. Prayer requests from your disciple.

The Holy Spirit to fill you. Make prayer a component of your discipleship time each week. Teach your disciple about prayer, pray together and pray for each other. 

2. Be Filled with the Holy Spirit

Ask the Holy Spirit to fill you every day. Seek the Holy Spirit every single day. Make it a daily habit to be empowered and led by the Holy Spirit. This will increase your dependence on Christ and teach you to listen to His voice above any other. 

3. Find Your Vision

Ask yourself some questions:

Why do I want to disciple?

What type of person do I want to disciple?

Where am I already influencing people? Is there anyone in this group whom God is leading me to disciple?

4. Invest in Current and New Friendships

If you are not sure who to disciple, start by investing in the people around you.

Spend intentional time with your good friends.

Make the most of your time with the people you see every day.

Are there neighbors you want to get to know better? Co-workers you want to have a spiritual conversation with? Acquaintances in your classes you can grab coffee with? Ask God to show you who you can invest in. Usually, a discipleship relationship happens with people who are already in your life.

6. Be Curious

Be curious about others. Ask good questions. This is a skill everyone should grow in, but it helps so much with discipleship. When you are genuinely curious about your disciple, you will be a learner of them. This is a great mindset to have because it helps you make next steps with them. Get to know your disciple. Find out what they like/dislike. Ask them how they are doing in their relationship with God. Ask them what their sin struggles are. Find out what their families are like.

One way to start discipleship well is by sharing your testimonies with each other. Share your family history, the high times of your life, the hard times you’ve experienced, your personal heroes, and the hand of God in your life. Make note of what your disciple says, and refer back to their stories as you continue meeting.

7. Read the Bible

Opening God’s Word when you meet with your disciple is one of the best things you can do. You can read a book of the Bible together, do a word study together, or have daily devotions together. You can make your Bible time as creative as you want. 

8. Share Your Faith

Sharing your faith fits into the ministry component of discipleship. You and your disciple will benefit immensely from having spiritual conversations with the people in your lives. Sharing your faith with others can lead to more discipleship relationships for both you and your disciple.

9. Do Life Together

Go to events, share in each other’s victories and defeats, look for mission opportunities to do together. 

Discipleship is how people are going to walk with Jesus for a lifetime. It may seem daunting, it may seem challenging, it may seem nerve-wracking. But it is so worth it.

Press On!