Spiritual Journey || Discipleship || Guide to Discipling Others || Part 5

 Spiritual Journey || Discipleship || Guide to Discipling Others || Part 5

Spiritual Journey Part 4 

Part 5 - Discipleship

Guide to Discipling Others

Discipling someone is about guiding them in their spiritual journey, helping them grow in their relationship with Christ, and teaching them to live out their faith. Jesus modeled discipleship in His ministry, and the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20) calls all believers to "go and make disciples." Here’s a practical guide on how to disciple someone effectively:

1. Begin with Prayer

Discipleship starts with prayer. Ask God to lead you to someone who needs to be discipled and to guide you in the process.

• Pray for Guidance: Ask God to give you wisdom, patience, and the ability to understand the needs of the person you’ll be discipling.
• Pray for the Person: Once you identify someone, regularly pray for their spiritual growth, understanding, and transformation.

2. Build a Relationship

Discipleship is relational. It’s not just about teaching; it’s about walking alongside someone as they grow in Christ.

• Be Intentional: Spend time with the person you’re discipling. Whether it’s over coffee, through regular phone calls, or just checking in frequently, make an effort to develop a genuine relationship.
• Show Genuine Interest: Ask about their life, challenges, and goals. Listen carefully to their concerns, doubts, and struggles. This helps build trust and opens the door for deeper conversations.

3. Set Clear Expectations

Discipleship involves mutual commitment. Establish clear expectations for both yourself and the person you’re discipling.

• Set Regular Meetings: Decide how often and where you’ll meet. Consistency is key to helping someone grow spiritually.
• Clarify the Purpose: Explain that the goal is spiritual growth, accountability, and walking together in faith. Make it clear that discipleship is a journey, not just a one-time meeting.

4. Teach and Share Scripture

The foundation of discipleship is God’s Word. Help the person you’re discipling grow in their understanding of Scripture and how to apply it.

• Study the Bible Together: Choose a book of the Bible or specific topics to study together. You could use a study guide or simply read through passages and discuss them.
• Help with Interpretation: Teach them how to understand and interpret Scripture for themselves. Show them how to cross-reference verses, use Bible tools, and apply the principles to their life.
• Encourage Application: It's not enough to know Scripture; encourage them to live it out. Ask questions like, “How can you apply this truth to your life today?”

Example Passages to Study Together:

• Matthew 28:18-20 – The Great Commission
• John 15:1-17 – Abiding in Christ
• Romans 12:1-2 – Transforming by renewing the mind
• Ephesians 4:22-24 – Putting on the new self

5. Model Christ-like Behavior

Your actions speak louder than words. As you disciple someone, they will observe how you live out your faith. Be intentional in modeling Christ’s character, love, and humility.

• Live Transparently: Be honest about your own spiritual journey, including your struggles and victories. This helps the person see that discipleship is a process of growth.
• Model Humility and Servanthood: Show what it means to follow Christ by serving others, practicing humility, and loving sacrificially.

6. Hold Them Accountable

Accountability is a key aspect of discipleship. It helps the person you’re discipling stay on track and encourages them to grow.

• Ask Accountability Questions: Check in regularly on their spiritual disciplines like prayer, Bible study, and areas of personal growth.
• Encourage Confession and Repentance: Create a safe space for them to confess their struggles with sin and pray for healing (James 5:16).
• Celebrate Growth: Acknowledge the progress they’re making and celebrate their victories, whether small or large.

7. Encourage Spiritual Disciplines

Spiritual disciplines are essential for growth. Help the person you’re discipling develop habits like prayer, Bible reading, fasting, and worship.

• Teach Them How to Pray: Show them different ways to pray (intercession, adoration, confession, thanksgiving, etc.). Encourage them to spend time in daily prayer.
• Develop Bible Reading Plans: Create a Bible reading plan together that helps them systematically go through Scripture.
• Teach Fasting: Explain the importance of fasting and how it can help deepen their relationship with God (Matthew 6:16-18).

8. Walk Through Life Together

Discipleship is more than just teaching spiritual principles. It's walking through life’s challenges and victories with the person you are discipling.

• Help in Practical Ways: Be there for them during difficult seasons (e.g., relationship struggles, career decisions, or personal challenges). Offer practical help when needed, whether it's emotional support, advice, or even just being a listening ear.
• Share Your Life: Share your own journey and experiences in applying faith to work, family, and relationships. Be open about how you handle life’s challenges while leaning on God.

9. Encourage Them to Disciple Others

A key aspect of discipleship is teaching the person to disciple others. As they grow, encourage them to pass on what they’ve learned to someone else.

• Matthew 28:19-20 (KJV): "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you."

• Encourage Them to Share: Encourage the person you are discipling to share their faith with others and start investing in the spiritual growth of someone else.

• Equip Them to Teach: As they grow, equip them with the knowledge and confidence to teach others, helping them disciple new believers in the same way.

10. Commit to a Long-Term Relationship

Discipleship is not a quick fix or a short-term endeavor. Commit to walking alongside this person for a long period. Jesus spent years with His disciples, and their growth took time.

• Be Patient: Spiritual growth is a journey. Be patient with the person’s progress, and encourage them even when they stumble.
• Celebrate Milestones: Recognize spiritual milestones such as breakthroughs, deeper revelations, or personal victories.

Final Thoughts

Discipleship is about helping others grow in Christ, but it’s also about your own growth. As you disciple, you will learn, grow, and be stretched in new ways. The key is to remain humble, patient, and committed to the process. Ultimately, it is about making followers of Jesus who can, in turn, make more disciples, fulfilling the Great Commission.

Discipleship transforms both the disciple and the disciple-maker, bringing both closer to Christ in the process.