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Q. How do you start discipling another guy?

A. It's important to select the right man, one you feel God is telling you to disciple. Then here are a couple of good ways to invite him to join you:

1. Figure out what his needs are and suggest to him that you talk about it. Sometimes discipleship is misunderstood as a glorified Bible study, with no strong focus on life's problems and challenges. So I'll suggest we get together to talk about marriage or job pressures or financial decisions. Discipling a man isn't just teaching spiritual truth, but sharing your life in such a way that he matures in Christ. A discussion about money, say, can turn into a wonderful discussion about the decisions we make in this life and how they affect us eternally.
   
   
2. Just talk about the concept. I've said, "Would you be interested in getting together to talk about growing in the Lord? Would you like to see what I do and how I've grown?" Just see if he's interested. If he's spent time with me or seen God work in my life, he may say yes; more likely he'll want to ask questions. I'm always low-key in my answers. I'm not trying to "sell" him on the idea, I'm simply planting the seed so that the Spirit can bring growth. Of course, I'm praying for the man all the time, so that God will make clear to him that he ought to enter into this relationship.
   
   

Don't over-ask in the initial stage. And before you commit to a period of meetings, be sure God is calling you to invest in his life and has communicated that desire to him.

Phil Downer is the president of Discipleship Network of America

Adapted from: Eternal Impact (available from phildowner@dnaministries.org) by permission.

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 help another man to seriously follow You. Please help me get started.

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