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Key Bible Verse: For he is my beloved and trustworthy child in the Lord (1 Corinthians 4:17). Bonus Reading:1 Corinthians 4:14–17

Availability is more important than structure. In other words, doing anything with [the person you are discipling] is more important than trying to devise a structured teaching moment. Let the activity provide the teaching opportunity.

My son wanted to help change a flat tire on my car. He couldn't loosen the lug nuts. He ran out of energy to unscrew them all. He couldn't lift the old tire off or put the new one on. Once the new tire was on, he tried to get away with only putting on every other lug nut. It took twice as long with his help.

While he couldn't help me as much as he thought he could, he went away thinking he had helped me more than he did.

The experience made a large impression on him. His self-esteem grew by a mile, and now he understands the concepts of diligence and excellence in a deeper way.

Those are biblical values. My son received them as they were impressed on him in a way that was natural, not contrived.

I wasn't teaching him how to change a flat tire; I was teaching him how to be a man of God.

—Patrick Morley in Walking with Christ in the Details of Life

My Response: What natural teaching opportunity may be available today?

Thought to Apply: Believe in the boy and his possibilities so wholeheartedly that you convey … confidence and respect to him.
—Walter MacPeek (scouting spokesman)

Adapted from: Walking With Christ in the Details of Life (Zondervan, 1990, 1992, 1998).

Copyright © 2002 by the author or Christianity Today International/Men of Integrity magazine.
Click here for reprint information on Men of Integrity.

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Prayer for the Week

Lord, I want to follow you so closely that others are tempted to fall into line.

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