How is your Influence?
If Christianity is about relationships, maybe you can say that disciple making is about influence.
How is yours?
Start at home.
Spouse
Kids
Extended family
Friends
Neighbors
Co-workers
What are we talking about?
Living a life of intentional relationships. Like all else in the life of a disciple, the focus is to glorify God in all we do and say. Disciple making is to a large extent about conversations. Relationships are built on both life experience together and what we talk about as we go through them with others. To glorify God is to be intentional in our conversations. What do you usually talk about with those around you in the many different contexts of your life? What would it take to include your spiritual life in those relationships?
Get to know people and consider how to spur them on toward love and good works.
Why is this so important?
You have a network of relationships that God has given you. What are you doing with them?
To be a disciple maker is to be intentional with our relationships. To Love people is to want their best. Their best is to be a devoted follower of Jesus engaged in His mission to reconcile the world to God.
This is God’s plan for the world and for the church. People investing in people for the glory of God. People using their gifts to build up His church. This is God’s plan A to reach the world and there is no plan B.
If you aren’t willing to have a spiritual conversation with others who will?
How do you life a life of intentional relationships?
Like just about everything else in life start with prayer.
Begin praying specifically for the people around you. Who are you near each day? How can you use your gifts to encourage and help them to follow Jesus? What does that look like?
From Praying move on to considering specific actions and conversations that will move you both toward Jesus. Being intentional means planning and preparing to have those valuable conversations.
It might be an invitation to read the bible together or a light conversation about something God has been teaching you recently.
Talk to other believers around you about your desire to grow spiritually. Often this can be the catalyst for others to consider their own spiritual life and habits. Be the spark plug who energizes others toward spiritual change. Refuse to accept stagnation in yourself and you will encourage others to grow as well.