Would you like, former procrastinators, to nurture someone’s growth or be personally nurtured in your growth as a believer? A one-on-one discipling relationship is an excellent way for older and younger members of the pair to become more Christlike.
Objections?
- We think we don’t have authority to ask for or offer this. Jesus has authority and He commanded us to go make disciples. (Matthew 28:18-20)
- We think we have to walk alone or glean only from group events. We wonder why we’ve learned so much but don’t get to share it.
- We lack courage to ask someone to meet with us. “She’s too busy for me.” “They’re not interested in what I have to say.”
How to start?
- Pray. Ask the Lord to guide you to a wise older woman or to a young woman eager to grow. (Both will be stretched.) Either of you can invite the other.
- Then ask, “Would you be willing to meet with me on a regular basis to study the Bible? We can pray, chat about life?” Or “Would you be interested in…?” Or, “I have some questions. Could we get together?”
You only need be a little farther down the road of faith to help someone else.
What are we aiming for?
The purpose is to grow in Christ by being in the Word together, praying, sharing, and being a part of each other’s lives. There’s no formula. I’m no expert, but some things have helped me with focusing on scripture as a pair:
- Read a passage together and discuss it.
- Use a Bible study.
- A basic for a young believer or someone struggling with consistency is learning to have a daily “quiet time” or devotion time with the Lord so she learns to feed herself from the Word. Beginning with a few quiet times together shows the way.
One tool is called SPECK. Ask these questions after reading a short passage: Is there… S- a sin to confess and forsake? P- a promise to claim? E- an example to follow? C- a command to obey? K- knowledge about God?
- Share scripture that struck you in quiet time.
- Memorize a verse between meetings or, if appropriate, a larger passage. Scripture memory hides God’s Word in our hearts where the Holy Spirit uses it.
- We should see each other valuing the Word more, and see each other making decisions in light of the Bible.
How can these ideas kickstart your thinking?
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