This week I have met with a few people who I disciple. We have been meeting for 6-8 months. However, now are we getting into some real issues they struggle with. Yes, there has been a lot of bible teaching and progress made during these few months we have been meeting. Now, however, we are getting deeper, and this is only scratching the surface.
Making disciples is time consuming. There are no quick fixes when being transformed into the image of Jesus. Three important factors in disciple making are trust, presence, and time.
Trust
Without trust discipleship cannot take place. Information can be transferred without trust, but to really make a disciple, there needs to be trust.
I have searched and to my knowledge, there is not short-cut to building deep trust other than spending time together. Over the last 2-3 weeks this has been expressed to me by the men I am discipling. They have not said it the exact same way, but it has been expressed.
More than a Classroom
Discipleship can take place partly, and I stress partly, in a classroom environment. I can teach and train in a classroom setting. However, if I want to really know the men I disciple, then getting outside of the classroom and having a presence in everyday life is vital.
Sharing a meal, sharing a laugh, asking questions, weddings, funerals and basically while living life together is when discipleship takes place. This is no surprise since we see Jesus do the same thing in the gospels. Walking together, over meals, in homes, at weddings, funerals; on all occasions we see Jesus and he is teaching and making disciples.
Discipleship cannot be any different for me today than it was for Jesus. Technology may have changed, but the core relational aspect has not changed. Even with Zoom, email, text messages, and other technology, discipleship still requires time and presence.
Time to Grow
Just as children grow and learn over time, becoming a disciple of Jesus takes time. Knowledge can be transferred, but it takes time to apply. This is not an excuse for sin or lack of obedience in a new believer, but we must recognize that time is necessary for growth.
I have been following Christ for 25 years and it has taken time for me to be transformed to the point I am at, and yet, I still have such a long way to go. I am further along today, but not far enough. I still have sin I struggle with and areas to grow in. I still need teaching and to learn.
The same is true with everyone. Time is necessary for growth.
Share life to make disciples
Time, presence, trust are vital to discipleship. Of course, so is correct teaching and other factors. But these three are areas that are important to consider in making disciples. I have been reminded of them these last few weeks. If I really want the people I am disciple to grow in what I teach and train them in, then I also must commit to being present in their lives, building trust, and allowing them time to grow. It is difficult, but the investment is well worth it.
How can you build trust, be present and give time to grow to those you disciple?