Small Groups, Huge Lessons - Part 3

How did Jesus make disciples? Obviously, what He did works because Christianity continues to spread, so doesn’t it make sense that we would follow Jesus’ example in discipling others?

In the last post in this series, we saw that Jesus prayed before selecting whom He would disciple, which is essential, for prayer is one of the main ways that we remain connected to the True Vine (Jn. 15:4-5). Also, look around at the relationships that God has already given to you. Who has God placed in your life whom you can disciple?

In the Gospels, we see that Jesus spent time with His disciples. Throughout the three years of His earthly ministry, the disciples traveled with Jesus hearing Him teach and watching how He interacted with all types of people. They saw Him minister and knew that what He preached was authentic because they saw it lived out in His life.

Mark 3:14 says, “And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him…”

Jesus specifically chose the twelve disciples so that they would be with him. Discipleship cannot happen in just 1-2 hours of small group time each week. It happens as you share life together and as you hang out together, eat meals together, minister together, etc. Something that I learned from a friend is to always take people with you, for how can they learn from your example if they never see your example outside of small group?

Do you have regular one-on-one time with the people in your small group? Do the people in your small group, the people you’re discipling, see how you live? Do they even see you outside of small group time?

Get to know the people in your small group. Be involved in their lives and invite them to be a part of yours. Know what’s going on with them. Be available, be real, and be intentional.

Warning: this is a lot like eating BBQ ribs – it can get a little messy because people’s lives are often messy. Disciple-making is often inconvenient, uncomfortable, and requires you to sacrifice. It’s not always easy because you and those whom you disciple are sinners living in a fallen world. But we are called to make disciples, and God promises to give us the grace needed to be faithful (2 Cor. 9:8).

Do you remember when you were learning to write the alphabet and you had dotted letters to trace? The teacher gave you a pattern to trace and to imitate. Scripture presents us with a pattern to trace for how to make disciples, and as you disciple, those whom you’re leading are watching you. You present a pattern to them, but what kind of example are you setting? Is it one that points people to Christ?

Small Groups, Huge Lessons - Part 2

At the last College Worship Gathering at Brook Hills, I asked the girls in our discussion group if they knew how to make disciples. They looked at me, and the awkward silence lasted until they shook their heads.

These girls want to make disciples. They know Scripture commands us to make disciples (Mt. 28:19). But they did not know what that looks like on a daily basis. This blog series will elaborate on how we as believers, as students, can practically make disciples in our daily lives. Here’s the quick answer:

RELATIONSHIPS.

Who has God already placed in your life that is either not a Christian or is a Christian whom you could disciple? Odds are that there is someone in your family, sorority/fraternity, classes, dorm, group of friends, work, intramural team, etc. who is not a believer or who needs to grow in their relationship with the Lord.

Before Jesus called the Twelve, Luke 6:12 says, “In these days, he went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God.”

Identify who these people are in your life. Pray and ask God to show you. Don’t just pray once, but be dedicated in prayer. Jesus prayed all night before calling the Twelve.

The relationships you have right now are for a reason. Are you being intentional in showing Christ to the people that God has already placed in your path?

Discipleship happens best in the context of relationships.