The Day I met a Disciple-Maker.

Lessons from the Disciples (Luke 11:1-13)

“The men who have done the most for God in this world have been early on their knees.” - E.M. Bounds

Photo by Samuel Martins on Unsplash

Lord, teach us to pray.

“One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.” He said to them, “When you pray, say:

“‘Father, hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come.
Give us each day our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins,
    for we also forgive everyone who sins against us.
And lead us not into temptation.’”

Then Jesus said to them, “Suppose you have a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have no food to offer him.’ And suppose the one inside answers, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is already locked, and my children and I are in bed. I can’t get up and give you anything.’ I tell you, even though he will not get up and give you the bread because of friendship, yet because of your shameless audacity he will surely get up and give you as much as you need.

“So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him! - Luke 11:1-13

---

After being a believer for a decade, attending church, actively serving in various ministries, working in the professional world of sales, I found myself sort of stuck and at the time hurting a bit inside. I was frustrated, almost crying out for some assistance in my faith journey but could not put together in words at the time what was needed. I accepted Christ as my Lord and Savior while in college (Acts 4:12) and I had great friends, but I lacked any strong one to one discipleship. My biological father and I did not have a healthy relationship and my step-father was a kind man but not a man who actively pursued Christ. There were men in my church, pastors, and elders who I respected but just did not develop a one-to-one relationship on a deeper level.

Crying out through the Spirit

^“In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” - Romans 8:26-28

At work, an older man named Ted reached out to me during a moment of vulnerability. I had shared my feelings of professional failure, particularly in sales. Ted seemed to sense my struggle and offered his support, saying, “Let’s meet for breakfast; I’d love to hear more about your story.”

As I got to know Ted, I learned he was a former Marine who had been married for over forty years. He raised children, had several grandchildren, and served in ministry with The Navigators on a college campus. He also held the position of Elder in various churches and was truly a remarkable man.

Ted was a seasoned follower of Christ, having come to faith through the support of other military men. During our meetings, he asked about my prayer life and how I engaged with the Scriptures. Over the months and years, we explored many questions that believers often face. Ted taught me how to pray, read the Bible, and conduct my devotional time, as well as how to disciple others.

One important lesson he shared was the art of asking good questions in the disciple-making process.

Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash

An example of Disciple-Making:

One day as an example, he invited me to read one of the Psalms. He said, “how about you read a verse and then pray and then I will read a verse and then pray?” So we did just that. This was a new method of praying for me. I learned many other things from my friend who I will see him again walking the streets of gold (Revelation 21:21).

Share your disciple-making story in the comments.

Resources on the topic of Disciple-Making:

• The Lost Art of Disciple Making by Leroy Eims

• The Master Plan of Discipleship by Robert E. Coleman

• Barnabas discipled Paul (Acts 4:36, Acts 9:27, Acts 11).

• Paul discipled Timothy (Acts 16:1-5),1st Corinthians 4:17, 1st Corinthians 16:10, Philippians 1:1, 2:19, 2:22, 1st Timothy 1-5, and 2nd Timothy 1-4.

• Sermon: Making Disciple-Making Disciples by Voddie Baucham.

• Sermon: We Are To Make Disciples by Greg Laurie.

• The Discipleship Library - various online messages by different disciple-makers on various topics.

• The Lordship of Jesus, message by disciple making friend, Ted, in the story above.

• The Wheel Illustration by the Navigators.

• Bible Study Fellowship International.

• Man in the Mirror Ministries.

• The Great Commission (Matthew 28:16-20).