Mistakes for a Disciplemaker to Avoid
By Clara Molina
We read books, hear speakers, and listen to
Christian friends’ opinions and counsel about being a disciplemaker,
and about the process of becoming a disciplemaker. These are usually
filled with advice and biblical thoughts on how to be the best
disciplemaker ever, but rarely do we hear someone give us advice on
what not to do while in the process of being a disciplemaker.
I would have loved to hear someone tell me, “When you become a disciplemaker please don’t . . . ” and then give a list of do’s and don’ts! There are a few mistakes that God has allowed me to learn by personal experiences, and by watching beloved brothers make, that I would love to share with you.
1. Do not clog up your prayer pipe lines. Do not accumulate prayer needs but pray at all times, even when it is not convenient or necessary. When the Lord puts a person under your responsibility to teach and guide (disciple), it also becomes your responsibility to pray for that individual. Guidance without daily prayer for that individual is mediocrity. Pray, and teach the disciplee to pray.
2. Keep your opinions to yourself and share the Bible. Many disciplemakers love to impose their way of thinking onto the disciplee because they think their way is the best way of thinking instead of teaching Christ’s way of thinking. Oswald Chambers warns us in My Utmost for His Highest by saying, “Jesus said, ‘Go and make disciples,’ not ‘make converts to your opinion.’ ” When we disciple someone we need to pass on a legacy of holiness, love, and a hunger and thirst for God’s Word, not our personal conviction. Each person develops his or her own convictions as they walk with God and are blessed by the Holy Spirit with discernment. Our responsibility is that the disciplee grows in Christ and has biblical theology.
3. Do not candy-coat sin. Sin is sin no matter what kind it is! Making a disciplee feel better or good is not the point.
I would have loved to hear someone tell me, “When you become a disciplemaker please don’t . . . ” and then give a list of do’s and don’ts! There are a few mistakes that God has allowed me to learn by personal experiences, and by watching beloved brothers make, that I would love to share with you.
1. Do not clog up your prayer pipe lines. Do not accumulate prayer needs but pray at all times, even when it is not convenient or necessary. When the Lord puts a person under your responsibility to teach and guide (disciple), it also becomes your responsibility to pray for that individual. Guidance without daily prayer for that individual is mediocrity. Pray, and teach the disciplee to pray.
2. Keep your opinions to yourself and share the Bible. Many disciplemakers love to impose their way of thinking onto the disciplee because they think their way is the best way of thinking instead of teaching Christ’s way of thinking. Oswald Chambers warns us in My Utmost for His Highest by saying, “Jesus said, ‘Go and make disciples,’ not ‘make converts to your opinion.’ ” When we disciple someone we need to pass on a legacy of holiness, love, and a hunger and thirst for God’s Word, not our personal conviction. Each person develops his or her own convictions as they walk with God and are blessed by the Holy Spirit with discernment. Our responsibility is that the disciplee grows in Christ and has biblical theology.
3. Do not candy-coat sin. Sin is sin no matter what kind it is! Making a disciplee feel better or good is not the point.
