All along the discipling journey are key moments where those you are discipling will have an opportunity to encounter God in unique and potentially life changing ways. These are great moments to be INTENTIONAL in their life. Our responsibility is to help discern when these moments are happening and then walking through them with those we disciple. It is important to remember that what makes these moments powerful is that they happen in the context of your relationship of love with them and that they all point them to glorifying God.
They don’t have to happen in any one order nor are they just one-time events. You may walk through all of these many times. Below each ‘moment” is a list of questions or statements to help you discern what God may be doing.
1.VISION – Matt. 5:13-16 – As you begin to invest in someone you must help people see their true identity and potential in the Kingdom.
- “Here is what I see in you.” (affirmation of how God has made them).
- What do you think are your greatest strengths/weaknesses?
- How would you define having a successful life?
- Spiritual gifts/personality tests
- If you could change something about yourself, what would it be?
- Who do you really look up to and why? Who have been the biggest influencers in your life?
- What do you really care about in the world? What could you give your life for?
2. CHALLENGE – Matt. 14:22 – Helping them see places for growth of faith and overcome their fears.
- “I could see God doing _______ through you. What do you think?”
- Is there something God keeps bringing up in His Word for you to do that you have not done?
- What have you done with what God has told you lately?
- What keeps you from taking steps of faith? Is there a fear that you have not been able to conquer?
- How would you feel if you did not take this step of faith?
- What do those around you say about the possibility of taking this step?
3. PRIVILEGE – Matt. 17:1-8 – Inviting them in to participate in your own encounters with God. This is easy to overlook but can have a great deal of power in the life of the person you are discipling.
These questions are for you to ask yourself as the discipler.
- Is there something God is teaching me that I could share with the people I am discipling.
- Is there something special or unique happening in my life that I need to invite those I am discipling to be a part of?
- How can I allow those I am discipling see deeper into my own walk with God?
4. CORRECTION – Matt. 18:1-4, Luke 9:46-48, Mark, 9:33-37, Luke 22:24-30
One of the key responsibilities in disciple making is helping people, through loving correction, align their lives with right Kingdom living.
Questions to help you lovingly correct the one you are discipling.
- How does what you are doing fit in with what you understand it means to follow Jesus?
- Do you see the error in your thinking/acting?
- Are you feeling any conviction or have you become comfortable with your sin?
- How could your thinking and acting have any negative impact on people around you?
- What are you willing to do to have a real change in your heart?
- Have you asked God for forgiveness? Have you asked people for forgiveness?
5. VULNERABILITY – Matt. 26:37-38, John 12:20-28 – It is allowing those you are investing in to share in the hard moments of your life so they can see how you relate to God in those times.
These questions are for you to ask yourself as the discipler.
- Is there a sin struggle in my life that I need to confess to those I am discipling?
- Is there anything emotionally difficult that I am walking through that I can ask those I am discipling to pray for and help me walk through?
- Do those I am discipling really know the struggles of my heart?
6. EMPOWERMENT – Matt. 28:16-20 (Matt. 10) – Helping them go out and impact the world.
- “I am proud of you and believe in you.”
- “What can I (we) do to help you fulfill God’s call?”
- “I will walk with you in this as far as you need me.”
- “Do you have all the information you need in order to go?”