As I recently taught through Matthew 10, I urged my congregation and myself to consider how we could become more intentionally involved in each other’s lives to stimulate each other on to deeper relationships that produce biblical love and kingdom living.
Discipleship is inclusive of engaging both non-Christians and Christians with the gospel. Here are a few bullet-point suggestions that would actually work with either. However, for the purposes of this post, let’s consider how you could invest more of yourself, more intentionally in the life of another Christian – or even two or three others regularly meeting together.
Discipleship is not about checking off the following points. The following points are merely suggestions of how you could begin to think through ways to interact intentionally with other believers in a growing and ongoing way to develop more significant relationships for God’s glory.
I don’t intend to annotate each suggestion. Use them as a beginning point to consider how it could flesh out specifically with you. In future posts I will give a few detailed suggestions for things such as applications questions, books to read, how to discuss a book together, etc.
So here are a few suggestions on how to think about getting together with another Christian to encourage each other in more intentional ways.
What to Do
Converse Over Biblical Truth
Read books of the Bible together
Read excellent books
Ask specific application questions of each other
Memorize Scripture together
Pray Together
Pray about what you are reading
Pray about what you are struggling with
Pray about what you have found victory in
Discuss Life
Strengths
Weaknesses
Temptations
Sins
Victories
Applications of Sermons
Consider Other People to Disciple
Challenge one another to begin looking for new people to pour into, even if it means that you have to change the way or frequency of which you are currently meeting together.
When to Meet
At a time when you and others are less likely to have other appointments or interactions
Make the most of meal times
Make the most of your Sundays
Invite each other into the regular routines of your life
Family recreation time
Family worship time
Personal recreation time
Exercise Together
Group activities
Hey Bret, thanks for the post! I think that I am kinda the guy who likes to be busy with ministry stuff and my Bible study on Thursday nights (I go to Bethany Baptist Church where Craig Bowen pastors), but I neglect my daily Bible reading and prayer. I would love to study the Bible in seminary and maybe a pastor or a prof or something, but I neglect the basic things like Bible study and prayer. It’s really very pathetic! I’m trying to memorize Romans 8 with one guy from my Bible study, but I just don’t really do much of anything consistently, not even that. The bottom line is discipline motivated by love for Jesus wanting to know Him. I loose the passion! I’m always loosing it! Just thought that I would do a little personal reflection related to your post. Thanks again for sharing!
Adam, thanks for the comment. Joining with another brother who might be a good encouragement and accountability might be a great help to you – just prayed that the Lord would open up such a relationship for you.