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Whose Responsibility is Discipleship?

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Some people have spiritual gifts best suited for the discipleship of believers, like those with the gift of pastor, or perhaps exhortation. Some will be more impassioned toward it. But, we’re all responsible to disciple which begins with leading people to a saving knowledge and then helping them grow (Matt. 28:19-20). We can begin where we are with those in our sphere of influence.

Venues through which We can Fulfill our Discipleship Responsibility

Here are a few relationships that open the door to discipling those in our sphere of influence. Each has it own set of challenges, often time related, but the potential impact can be great.

Parents can disciple their own children.

Question:  How are you supposed to work to provide for your children, take care of the home, run kids to all their activities, and teach them besides all this?

Pastors and elders can disciple members of the Body.

Question:  Doesn’t preparing sermons and overseeing the ministry take up all your time, leaving little room for discipleship?

People in a small group or men’s or women’s ministries can disciple their own peer.  Workers in children’s or youth ministry can disciple those younger than themselves.

Question:  When are you to fit this in when you barely have time for your own family?

Teachers of Sunday School or other Bible classes can disciple their students.

Question:  How much should be expected of you?  Isn’t teaching a lesson enough?

Suggestions for Discipling Those in Your Sphere of Influence

This post can’t answer all the particular questions one might have in a specific situation but will give a few broad suggestions.

  1. Understand the priority of discipleship.  When something is important to us, we usually find or make the time for it.  It’s about teaching others to follow the Chief Shepherd.  Are our many activities more important than that?
  1. Use everyday life, teachable moments.  Discipleship is about sharing the Word with people but also praying for them, encouraging them, being an example for them, and spurring them on which does not require a formal meeting but can be done in any setting.
  1. Utilize a network of people and opportunities to help you.  Don’t think that you can do it all but certainly do what you can do.  Networking is not about relieving you of the responsibility to disciple but rather of helping you do it better.
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2 Replies to “Whose Responsibility is Discipleship?”

  1. Pray for me as I began to disciple others. Let the HOLY SPIRIT do the work and use me as the instrument to help others have a closer walk with GOD!

    • Hello, Anita. If real transformation is going to happen in people’s lives, it must be a work of the Holy Spirit. He is the real teacher, the One who helps us understand the things of God (1 Cor. 2). So, yes, we can certainly pray for you in this ministry!

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