Who Should I Disciple?
As you begin a new year, one of the most important questions you should be asking yourself is this: "Who should I disciple this year?"
The Great Commission came as Jesus' first command after His resurrection and therefore should be words that we ought to take seriously (Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 16:15, Luke 22:44-49, John 20:21, Acts 1:8).
The call to be a disciple of Jesus is also a call to be a disciple-maker.
You can't read the book of Acts and the rest of the New Testament letters and assume that the explosive growth with thousands upon thousands of new believers coming to faith and spreading all across the known world happened because 12 guys were doing all the work. It's statistically impossible, not to mention down right unbiblical given what the New Testament writers themselves have to say on the subject of disciple-making. In addition, there's even a moment in Paul's missionary journey's where he says there was no place left for him to do gospel work! Incredible, yes...but how did it happen? It happened through the power of multiplication in disciple-making.
The apostle Paul assumes his apprentices will not only learn from him but also pass that same method of teaching and training down for generations to come (2 Timothy 2:2).
The apostle Peter exhorts all disciples to embrace their God-given identity as a priesthood of believers who have been been shown mercy in order to show mercy to others and proclaim the gospel to the world (1 Peter 2:9).
So, if we're supposed to be disciples that are making disciples, we must ask ourselves who we should be discipling.
As I'll share in this video, there are some simple ways to figure who is ready and worth your time and who is not. I hope it's helpful and encouraging to you as you begin this new year with a fresh zeal to pour into someone and call them to follow you as you follow Christ and teach them to do the same (1 Cor. 11:1).