Mentoring New Disciplers
Karen H. Whiting
From The Adventure of Discipling Others. Order from NavPress
Mentoring New Disciplers The people who discipled me offered constant encouragement and invaluable input. Here's how you can receive the kind of information that will make you a better discipler and dispense information that will make your friend a better disciple.
Consider who encouraged you as a discipler? That person undoubtedly helped you persevere and succeed in discipling others. Now is your time to share what God has given you. Here are some pointers on mentoring aspiring disciplers:
Listen to the reasons they want to disciple others. Help them set and define goals. Listen for enthusiastic comments. Note what your friend enjoys, and feed that enthusiasm. Help the person you are discipling find a ministry outlet that matches his or her interest. Encourage them to look for the right target audience: teens, young men, families, or wherever their hearts' desire lies.
Share your start. You can instill hope by telling of your successes and struggles. Sharing your good and bad times in discipling may protect new disciplers from future discouragement.
Find talents. Identify each person's expertise based on life experiences, hobbies, and gifting. Discuss ways to use these as a bridge to reach others.
Celebrate first successes. Invite them to call and celebrate their success in discipling someone. Also, invite them to share their difficulties. Discuss those problems with them, and help them decide what to do next.
Be supportive. Listen with your eyes. Read emotions and respond accordingly. If you see signs of stress or frustration, for example, slow down or give a hug. New disciplers are sensitive and vulnerable. If they're insecure, the wrong words may discourage them forever.
Look for positive comments to make. Pay attention to complaints, and brainstorm with your friend for solutions. You prepare your friend to disciple others when you help him or her find answers to problems. Keep a list of the discipler's questions and your responses. Follow up to see what helped. Make notes in case others ask similar questions.
Lend your resources. Discuss how tapes, magazines, and books have helped you. Have them keep index cards handy. When a verse or inspiring thought comes up, jot it down, and then pass it on. Make lists of reference, tapes, and magazines that help you grow. In addition, list resources that have equipped you as a discipler. Start a resource center of your own, or work through the church library to provide resources that encourage disciples and disciplers. Who encouraged you as a discipler? That person undoubtedly helped you persevere and succeed in discipling others. Now is your time to share what God has given you.
Here are some pointers on mentoring aspiring disciplers. Interact with other disciplers at your church, at neighboring churches, on the Internet, or at conferences. Support and encourage one another by sharing your struggles and successes.
Do a walk-through. Walk through a typical week of discipling. Explain the process of prayer, Bible study, and other activities that are part of being a discipler. Discuss how you blend these commitments with the rest of your life, work, and relationships.
Share your inspiration. Tell what keeps you motivated and how you avoid over-commitment. Share the special scriptures, devotions, or prayer methods that inspire your discipling.
Discipleship Journal
