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The Number One Thing to Invest in a Disciple is…

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…your time.

This is far more costly than any amount of money you can give. It will be inconvenient. There will be times of frustration. It’s not the most efficient process you’ve ever been a part of.

But that time spent pouring over God’s word and praying through the issues of the heart and eating and laughing together and teaching/learning to share the Gospel and sometimes even doing nothing at all…all of it is investing in someone in a way that will pay off down the road, possibly in a way that you’ll never see.

Looking back over the history of those who have discipled me, its pretty clear that the most meaningful contribution many of the people in my life have given me was not a new teaching or a skill. They simply opened up their homes, their lives, and their calendars to me. I learned the most from those who made time to show me who they were.

We live in a rushed society. There will always be a temptation not to be generous with your time, but the most effective disciple makers will be those who spend time with those they are discipling.

Who are you spending time with?

Photo Credit: Blue and Yellow Graph on Stock Market Monitor by CCØ BAY

Responses

  1. gunnarlarmstrong Avatar
    gunnarlarmstrong

    Thanks! This is very important. Spending time together requires a real sacrifice on both parts — because we fill our lives with busy-ness, and then wonder why we can’t spend time together. Also, I think it is important to reinforce what you wrote, that it doesn’t need to be “quality time”. If you think a person is a man or woman of God and you want to learn from them, go and spend time with them — hang out with them as they work around the house or yard, as they play with their children, as they relax around the table. There will be times of prayer and worship and deep conversations. But Jesus will shine through in all aspects of their lives. I wrote that from the aspect of a person seeking to learn from someone who is older and more mature in the faith. But, it is just as true for all of us. We can all learn from each other. We should all be seeking to spend more time together so we can all rub Jesus off on each other. And again, it doesn’t need to be “quality time” — devoted to prayer, study and worship. We can work together in the yard or together serve others or play games together. Gunnar

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  2. Chaplapreneur Avatar
    Chaplapreneur

    It is the biggest risk, but what is best. You will never get it back, so a costly investment. But there is nothing more Christ like.

    Reply

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