Many people want to pay it forward! They want to invest in another spiritually to show gratitude for the people who helped them in their walk with God. Getting in the boat with another person spiritually and helping them become grounded in the basics of the Christian faith is exactly what we are called to do.
I love how Paul said to Timothy, “And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.”
But here is the catch — where to find someone to disciple? The desire to help others spiritually is only part of the equation. Where to find a person to actually disciple will take intentionality. I bet the person you need to invest in is already in your life.
Finding a Person to Disciple
Do you have a hobby? For me it is teaching a few classes at the local YMCA. I love the community of like-minded individuals there who share my love of fitness. I met for lunch one afternoon with a woman I had known for years at the Y. During our visit, she inquired as to what it meant to be saved. I explained to her the love of God and forgiveness found in Jesus Christ. I have since met with her weekly to teach her basic foundational teachings of the Christian faith.
Are you employed? I know a businessman who keeps books on marriage and parenting in his desk. He looks for opportunities to share those resources with people he has casual conversations with at the office. Some of those relationships turn into deeper conversations about faith and he is ready to meet with them before the workday begins or during lunch breaks to help them grow spiritually.
Are you a mom? When my boys were young, I had several babysitters on speed dial as I had no family in town who could watch them. One of my babysitters had questions about spiritual things and the Bible, and we would often talk about these topics when I returned home. I ended up meeting with her on a regular basis to help her in the basics of the Christian faith. Yep, I would hire a babysitter so I could meet with my other babysitter!
Be Proactive! Examine and Pray
Examine each of your current activities — church, hobbies, places of business you frequent, your job, your extended family, your neighbors — prayerfully seeking if a person in one of those groups may need your help. If you look close enough, I would bet the person you can disciple is already in one of those groups just waiting on you to take the initiative to meet.
Finding a person to disciple is a matter of prayer and keeping your antenna up. I pray each day, “Lord, please use my life to help others. Please cross my path with those who need Your love and guidance today. I want to be a tool in Your hand to love on others.” Then I keep my eyes and ears open to His leading and step out in faith to invite others to learn and grow.
P.S. – Once you do connect with a person to disciple, download for free “The Discipleship Starter Kit” on my website at lorijoinerministries.org!
Lori Joiner is an author, speaker and discipleship coach in Katy, Texas. In addition to writing, she teaches group fitness classes at the YMCA and enjoys walking the family chocolate lab with her husband Alan and playing board games with her two sons. You can reach out to her at LoriJoinerMinistries.org.
