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Encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near (Hebrews 10:25b, NASB).
Let me note that all discipleship, no matter if it is foundational or not, is better than no discipleship. But a friend recently said, “I can summarize the discipleship practices of most churches in two words.”
Intrigued, I responded, “And the two words would be?”
He said, “Come back!”
He then went on to say, “Every teaching in the New Testament that refers to discipleship or infers discipleship isn’t “distant” but “close-in” relationships. I’m unsure how you can consider discipleship as returning to a church building or attending a small group.”
The New Testament indicates three types of relationships—large group, small group, and one-to-one relationships.
Worship and preaching work best in a large group assembly. Encouragement and ministering to the needs of followers work best in small groups. However, personal change, along with confession and speaking the truth in love, work best in one-to-one relationships.
The words “one another” are found about 100 times in the New Testament.
The Greek word for “one another” is a reciprocal pronoun indicating that when you pray for one another (James 5:16), there should be another person; if we serve one another, there should be another person (Galatians 5:13)!
The “one another” verses instruct us to . . .
- Be devoted to one another (Romans 12:10)
- Accept one another (Romans 15:7)
- Admonish one another (Romans 15:14)
- Concern for one another (1 Corinthians 12:25-26)
- Encourage one another (1 Thessalonians 5:11)
- And others!
Foundational discipleship is “one another” at its best. For over 50 years, I’ve been having conversations with new believers.
My disciplemaking technique is having a conversation, not a classroom approach, and not just reading and discussing a book in a coffee shop. I’ve found that one of the most important aspects of discipling is simply having a conversation.
I tell those I’m training to disciple, “If you can have a conversation, you can disciple.”
This isn’t a rambling conversation about any topic. I’ve developed ten lessons (published as First Steps Conversations), where a discipler sits with a new believer and reads the material back and forth.
Sort of a conversational script.
The script is needed to keep the conversation focused on the foundational disciplines and similar temptations of our walk with Jesus. And a conversation rooted in Scripture will be empowered or enlightened by the presence of the Spirit.
A great discipleship combination—discipler, disciple, and Holy Spirit—a powerful formula for maturing in Christ.
Sort of one-to-one plus the One!
The above is an excerpt from my new book, Discipleship That Works. If you purchase and read the book—thank you, and let me know what you think.