Letter to “Almost Disciple Makers”
Hey,
I’m trying to write more letters and God brought you to mind.
First, I just want to say that your passion for God is obvious. You take the time to study and apply the Scriptures. Your heart for Jesus is clear. There’s no doubt that He’s your anchor. I love that about you!
I hope this doesn’t come off as weird, but watching you is helping me learn to love others better. I’m serious! You engage people so naturally. Your heart for them is unmistakable. Others tell story after story that begins by you calling, writing a note, or inviting them to coffee. Not even this global pandemic has stopped you from impacting others!
We’ve known each other for a while now. And I hope you know how much I respect you. But I wanted to ask if you would consider becoming an intentional disciple maker?
I know it can be intimidating. The other day I overheard you saying, “Me, disciple someone? No way! What would I say? I think the best way to disciple is just to love people. That’s what I do. I love God and just care for others. I don’t want to be a discipler! The thought of someone looking at me as their example is downright scary!”
I get it. Being a disciple maker can be scary. As an introvert, I still experience a low-level of anxiety before heading into discipleship meetings. In fact, I don’t know a single person who has felt ready before they started. Even though it’s hard, I can’t get past the fact that Jesus’ last instructions to us were to make disciples. Not only that, He also promised to be with us as we do it (Matt. 28:18-20). We don’t have to be perfect or have it all figured out.
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I really think your impact as a disciple maker could be amazing! You love God and you already know how to help people follow Jesus. Imagine how many would be changed if you took the next step and helped them learn how to help others?! I think you would only need to add vision and intentionality to what you are already doing. One thing I’ve learned is that part of being Jesus’ disciple is intentionally helping others become disciple makers.
Since you are already influencing people to grow closer to God, I’d suggest just getting started with an invitation and a simple tool. I’d be more than happy to talk with you about any questions or fears you might have. I think once you try it, you’ll be hooked! Making disciples multiplies our Kingdom impact while at the same time more fully connects us to God.
If you’d like to chat more about this, just let me know! Thanks for your patience with me as I lovingly press into your life. If I didn’t care about you then I wouldn’t bother. I so appreciate your friendship and look forward to seeing you at church next week!
“Almost disciple makers” are all around us. Some lack vision, others lack intentionality, others relational skills. One thing they have in common is a need to be engaged on the subject. So this series of letters is designed to do just that…
Justin Gravitt is the Dayton (Ohio) Area Director for Navigator Church Ministries. Read more from Justin at his blog, One Disciple to Another, where this article first appeared.
First published on Justin Gravitt’s blog here.
https://www.justingravitt.com/blog/letters-relational-influencer
