sethbarnes May 28, 2006 8:00 PM

Why discipling is so hard

It takes time. To do it right, you need to be influencing a disciple’s life 24/7 like Jesus did. 16 waking hours a day x 3 years = 15,000 hours. ...

Subscribe


It takes time.
To do it right, you need to be influencing a disciple’s life 24/7 like Jesus did. 16 waking hours a day x 3 years = 15,000 hours.

It takes years.
Disciples change slowly and make lots of mistakes before they start getting it right. And they may never leave your life.

It takes trust.
When you ask your disciple to change her behavior and you don’t have an answer she likes for “Why?” She still has to trust you.

It takes modeling.
A thousand sermons don’t show you how to change your behavior, but if the behavior can be demonstrated, it answers the “How?” question.

It takesconfrontation.
In our natural fleshly state, our behavior is selfish; to help change it, disciplers must confront it and ask for something different.

It takes availability. Discipling another person is an inconvenient task. It intrudes on your regular life and often robs you of your privacy.

It takes vulnerability. As your disciple sees you live your life out before her, she see your flaws. Those flaws give her permission to fail.

It takes care.
You can’t do this clinically. Sometimes you have to hug and kiss disciples. You have to accept them in their messed up state.

It takes listening.
The only way that you can help a disciple work through the need for change is by listening.

It takes wisdom.
You’re dealing with a person’s life here. The counsel you give in tough situations may be hard to hear and implement.

It takes confidentiality.
Your disciple’s issues are a matter between the two of you. Share it elsewhere without permission and you blow trust.

It takes vision.
You have to see your disciple not as they are, but in your mind’s eye fully developed.

Comments


Comment created and will be displayed once approved.

Related Blogs

Jesus wants to awaken you to the kingdom

Jesus wants to awaken you to the kingdom

This Haiti earthquake is a horrific nightmare, but God will use it to bring hi...

By sethbarnes
Ten best discipling decisions I’ve made

Ten best discipling decisions I’ve made

               ...

By sethbarnes
How to find and manage a mentor

How to find and manage a mentor

The role of a mentor is to make you great. Her time is nothing but a gift to you...

By sethbarnes

Related Races (3)

South Africa | Semesters | August 2026

South Africa | Semesters | August 2026

Expedition | "The Bridge" | August 2027

Expedition | "The Bridge" | August 2027

Study Abroad | Asia & Australia

Study Abroad | Asia & Australia

Next article

To get ready to be a missionary, study Acts

AI Generated Content

Here's a suggested caption you can copy and tweak.