The Leading Edge of Paul’s Disciple Making Strategy

That last command that Jesus gave in the book of Matthew was to go and make disciples.  It’s a command repeated in all four of the gospels and the book of Acts and becomes the driving mission of the early church.  

Making anything requires some sort of process.  Making disciples is no different.  It may be formalized or informal, but disciple making requires an intentional investment of time, energy and teaching.  It requires content - the commands of Jesus and the teaching of the Apostles.  

But what is the most important ingredient to a good discipleship plan?

What was at the sharp edge of the discipleship spear for Jesus and for Paul?

My own journey in learning to obey Jesus and make disciples has been a constant search for the best curriculum or book or training plan; something I can implement with my disciples.  Something I can do and that they can then do as well.

As I immersed myself in the establishment of the Thessalonian church these past few months, I discovered that the majority of Paul's time was not spent implementing the right teaching plan or training program.  

He was in Thessalonica just three sabbaths before he was forced to leave. He certainly taught them things.  He certainly modeled things for them. The story in the Book of Acts and the two letters he wrote them point to his teachings and the lifestyle he modeled and expected them to imitate.  
But the thing that comes up over and over again, and the thing that is the pattern in all the letters he writes to all of the churches he was a part of establishing is that he was praying fervently for the new believers.  

As I study the scriptures I am coming to believe that Paul's prayer for his Timothy’s was at the leading edge of his discipleship process.  It was the first thing he was focused on for his disciples.

Prayer was the default activity.

My default has been to focus on content or methods or strategies.  I’m always praying but it has too often been the afterthought activity.  I’m trying to grow in this and to shift my own paradigm around prayer and disciple making.  

How about you?  How much are you praying for your disciples?

​Don’t take it from me, I’d encourage you to download this simple discovery Bible study and go through it with a group of friends.

Disciple Making Prayer DBS

Discover for yourself Paul’s (and Jesus’) focus on prayer for their disciples.

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