5 Helpful Tips for All Disciple Makers

A garden full of tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths burst forth in blossoms every spring, at our old house. These flowers didn’t grow by accident. Every fall prior, we’d move the soil, plant bulbs, and add to the assortment, already dormant.

There was nothing quite like watching those first sprouts peeking through the ground after a long winter. Hyacinth’s fragranced everything around. Yet, sadly, some bulbs never survived through the winter. Despite my efforts, there was no promise of which flowers would blossom, come spring.
Discipleship can be much like planting bulbs in fall. We invest, inspect the soil, work hard, but in the end, only time and God can reveal, any beauty from our efforts.

These past six years, my husband and I have been discipling people in our home. Some seasons we have a house full; others time, just a few people. Sometimes, we see visible miracles. Other times, discipling can feel more discouraging.
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Here are 5 tips we have learned, while disicpling:

1. It’s all about the soil. We are called to disciple, but we are not responsible for the condition of the soil. Jesus explains in Matthew 13, the condition of the soil, or the heart, is a big indicator of what is produced in a person’s life. Jesus further explains, the seeds that fall on fertile soil can produce a crop of up to a hundred times as much as had been planted. Discouragement comes when we don’t take into account, the soil of another person’s heart. Let’s model soft and transparent hearts, trusting His Word to fall on the fertile soil of other people’s lives.
2. Never underestimate prayer. Jesus prayed for those He disciples, shouldn’t we also? We can pray, “Open his (her) eyes Lord, that he(she) may see” (2 Kings 6:17), “turn to light, from darkness”. (Acts 26:18) and that those we are discipling, “might be saved.” (Romans 10:1) We can teach and preach, live as a model, or give the most accurate Biblical information, but if people’s eyes and ears aren’t opened, those we disciple will struggle to blossom, fully. Discouragement comes from striving. Let’s watch lives blossom as we pray fervently, knowing He is the one who ultimately draws people.
3. Don’t judge. Disciple whoever God puts in front of you. God is no respecter of persons (Acts 10:34), God shows no favoritism. (Rom. 2:11) To my surprise, these past six years, we have found the tattoo artist and the biker were often more radically changed than the life-long Christian. His desire is that none would be lost, (2 Pet. 3:9), regardless of people’s past or appearance. Discouragement comes when we limit God, instead of trusting Him to bloom, however, and in whom He wants.
4. We disciple, but God does all the real work. Scripture says it like this; “I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow.” (1 Cor. 3:6) Discouragement comes when take credit or try to force results. Beautiful things happen when we give him the freedom to move, trust Him, and rest in the fact that He is the one who ultimately makes every life bloom. Apart from Him we are nothing.
5. It’s not our job to witness the finished product. It’s our job to disciple well. Just like tulips, people often grow at different rates, flowers blossom in different seasons. We must trust God, to finish what He’s started. Perhaps we are just one chapter in the story of the lives of somebody we are discipling. Discouragement happens when we demand immediate results. Organic, genuine and lasting growth happens when we can rest in peace, knowing, “He who has begun a good work in you will complete it.” (Phil 1:6)

Be encouraged! Disicpling is worth it! Seeds will blossom when we trust, pray, rest, and keep investing in people. Following His call will reap a harvest that’s beautiful, if we don’t give up! (Galations 6:9)

About Jen

Though born, raised, and still living only miles from where she grew up, Jen's heart lies in the nations. Jen loves the beautiful tapestry found in the wide diversity of people, different cultures, and all nations.  Jen and her husband have been married twenty years, and have parented fifteen kids and counting; twelve foster, one adopted, and two bios.  Her multi-racial family reflects her passion for unity, desire for faith without walls, and missional mindset to share both the gospel and the power of redemption to a world desperately needing the hope found in Jesus Christ. Jen and her husband have led in a variety of ministries; including prayer, small groups, children's, and women’s.  Jen advocates for the orphan as a board member for the non-profit, A New Song; and loves doing missions work internationally, along with her family.  You can find Jen writing about faith, while challenging her readers at her blog, Rich Faith Rising, as well as at tweeting faith-filled messages @Jen_Avellaneda .  Jen is also on facebook.

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