1Corinthians 11:1 Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.
So, fellow busy believer, how might we get started with this kind of disciple-making? Let me share two next steps I’ve learned from others farther along.
You can begin by taking a careful look at your life and asking where you can say with integrity, “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1). As you consider all that Jesus commanded, in what areas has God granted you a particular measure of maturity — in habits of grace, or husbanding, or evangelism, or workplace diligence? Alternatively, as you consider others in your church or small group, can you discern any specific discipleship needs you might be able to meet? Even if you’re a newer believer and wouldn’t consider yourself mature overall, might you be more mature in an area where someone else needs help?
Then you might develop a basic proposal for what the discipling relationship could look like. Prayerfully consider what would fit within the limits of your life right now. What would stretch you without breaking you? What would push you to depend on God but not press you beyond measure? Instead of proposing something indefinite (in duration) and undefined (in topic), consider getting specific:
- “Let’s practice praying God’s word together on Monday mornings for the next three months.”
- “Let’s study these passages about eating and body image, meeting every other week over the summer.”
- “Let’s have your family over for dinner on Saturday nights this semester so you can see how we practice hospitality.”
In other words, in a limited but sacrificial way, take some Christlike treasure God has given you, and share what you have.
