Transformation Tuesday: Spiritually Intentional Relationships
Discipling one another is a big step in making disciples. Before we can make disciples of the nations, we have to be disciples and then learn to disciple others.
Our default mode is to start programs and ministries, but the actual work can easily take place, and should take place, in spiritually intentional relationships. Instead of looking for a ministry to join, we should look around and find someone to begin spending time with for the purpose of discipleship. This model has some important advantages. One of the advantages is being in a one-on-one relationship with an older believer, which is much better than anonymously listening to lectures or reading books. If you teach someone else to be a disciple-maker, then you will produce an exponential number of discipled Christians, which is another advantage of the model. Another advantage is that as a disciple-maker, you, too, are growing as a disciple.
This one-on-one model puts church members directly in the ministry, rather than relying on church staff to counsel and disciple. It’s certainly the model of the New Testament where believers are repeatedly admonished to teach, encourage, exhort, “one another.”
If you are unable to disciple another believer, then the answer is for you to be discipled by someone else. Find an older or more mature believer and ask him or her to meet with you for discipleship. They will be happy to do this or recommend someone else for you. It should be normal for BBC members to ask each other, “Who are you meeting with for discipleship?”
Below is an exceptional sermon by Chuck Vuolo, a pastor not too far away in New Jersey. We have been given a great commission, and the days are short, so let’s get started.