Disciples Who Make Disciples
Summary: In fact, helping others follow Jesus will look more like a family than it will a factory . . . When it comes to making disciples, circles are better than rows.
Note: This post is the third in our “Discipleship DNA” series that covers what we consider core values for discipleship. Our third core value at Pattern is “Disciples Who Make Disciples.”
Healthy disciples make disciples.
In nature, healthy things reproduce. It is often seen as abnormal when trees or plants do not produce fruit nor reproduce life. When Jesus looks at his followers, he is looking for fruit – both the fruit of love and the fruit of new life when we make new followers of Jesus. Healthy disciples take responsibility for Jesus’ command to “go and make disciples.” They accept that it was given to every believer, not just leadership.
Healthy disciples are trained to make disciples in small settings.
Lining up large groups of people and supplying them with information and inspiration cannot manufacture new followers of Jesus. In fact, helping others follow Jesus will look more like a family than it will a factory. When it comes to making disciples, circles are better than rows. We become more relational when in a circle. Healthy disciples are trained, then, how to start new circles of small groups as well as how to lead them.
Healthy disciples make disciples by inviting discovery.
Thankfully, healthy disciples do not need to be experts. Instead, we can ask simple questions about what is seen in a scripture passage and then make space for the Holy Spirit to work. The Holy Spirit loves discovery and is faithful to open spiritual eyes and speak to hearts. Meanwhile, the disciple’s work is to pour out extravagant prayer and make space for discovery.
