Romans 15:14-15a says, My friends, I am sure that you are very good and that you have all the knowledge you need to teach each other.But I have spoken to you plainly and have tried to remind you of some things.
One of my favorite things to do is one-on-one discipleship. I love the aha moments and the tough talks. I love doing it because it is not only helping someone else, it helps me grow. Spiritual maturity doesn’t come from sitting and listening to the pastor on Sunday morning, spiritual maturity comes from trying and failing then trying again. It’s not what we know that makes us spiritually mature, spiritual maturity comes from practice. And we need some one to practice with.
Anyone can be holier-than-thou from a distance, but when you are reading and memorizing scripture with another person you have to check your ego at the door. Sure people can lie about what they are doing, but those times catch up to people and the truth comes out in the end. You can hide in a small group a lot longer than you can in a one-on-one setting.
Things you need to know about Discipling:
- You don’t have to be perfect to start. Most discipling relationships are mutual learning not teacher to student.
- You need to let the pastor know what you’re doing. Don’t start something behind the pastors back. Most pastors are going to give you their blessing and pray for your success. I honestly can’t imagine a pastor who wouldn’t want people to grow spiritually.
- You need a plan. Here’s one: buy a book, I like Greg Ogden’s two books, Discipleship Essentials
and Leadership Essentials
. I have used these books for the last three years and they are really good for discipling not only others, but yourself. These books make you think and wrestle with what being a Christian is and how to live that out.
A final thought from Paul to Timothy:
If you teach these things to other followers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus. You will show you have grown up on the teachings about our faith and on the good instructions you have obeyed (CEV)

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