Confident Disciple Makers

Develop as a confident disciple maker through His Word 

“Equipped for every good work” 

I remember sitting in 4th grade as my teacher explained an input-output chart. Whatever you put in determines the result. The phrase stuck with me: what you input, you output.

So here’s the question: do we truly want to be confident disciple makers? If we barely input God’s Word, how can we expect his word to flow out of our lives?

With charts, a few boxes make it obvious whether the numbers are rising or falling. But discipleship isn’t that simple. We’re not numbers—we’re people, with emotions and distractions, easily drifting from what really  matters.

2 Timothy 3:16-17  lays out how the word is beneficial in our lives. 

16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

The best way to grow in confidence as you disciple teenagers, is allowing the word to teach you, rebuke you, correct you, and train you. This is the Input that has the result of  transforming not only your life, but those around you. 

Here are three things  you can input to have a better output for discipling teenagers (or anyone)

1. Surrender to God through prayer 

   Think about the first thing you do when you wake up. Have you considered thanking the Lord in prayer before you even touch the ground? That expression of gratitude that you proclaim to God is inputting an act of surrender and praise to the God who sustains and protects. It is setting you up to put God first. And when he is first He becomes the topic of many conversations. As you go about your day, set times to intentionally thank God - not just during meal teams, but other times as well. One other thing you can start to do is pray through the scriptures. Resource Here. Getting in this habit of praying scripture will help you as you have opportunities to pray for teenagers and others. And lastly as you pray continue to ask the Lord to open your eyes to all the moments  throughout your day to share the message of hope with others. 

2. Study God’s Word

   As you pray, spend time reading or listen to the Bible. In order to keep a rhythm of reading and studying your bible it's helpful to have a plan and a place, then you find purpose in your study. After reading think through it, process it, and share it  

3. Seek the Lord in Worship  (always)

   If every moment is a recognition of praising God, that is worship. In all things we praise God not just through singing but through every aspect of our life. This is when others around you, especially teenagers, catch on and begin to ask you where your joy comes from and how they can obtain that kind of joy  

Take time today and ask yourself, what am I inputting in my life that is keeping me from being the best disciple maker I can be and then ask how can I input those things from above?

Confident Disciple Makers

Discover the disciple maker within you 

“Able to do abundantly more than you could ever imagine”

I’ve been there as a youth leader, a parent, a friend… feeling ill equipped to make disciples. At some point we are all asking the question: what does a disciple maker do and where do I get started? 

Maybe you have been entrusted to lead a group of teenagers in church, or maybe you have been given the gift of children and you have teenagers… the big first step of becoming a disciple maker is simply Discovering the leader is within

It's not about finding some hidden talent deep within you. It's actually about abiding in the power that is within you as a believer  

If you have put your faith and trust in Jesus he has given you an advocate, a helper, a counselor. 

John 14:16-17  ​​16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever. 17 He is the Spirit of truth. The world is unable to receive him because it doesn’t see him or know him. But you do know him, because he remains with you and will be in you.

Okay great I have power but where do I start! 

You start with prayer asking God to open your eyes to all the opportunities you have. You will be surprised with how many opportunities you have throughout your time as a parent or as a leader in the church. Parents you will have a lot more time with your teen so if you are a church leader be sure to partner with the parent and create a plan together. And after prayer its all about starting intentional conversations and from there you will see  the Lord begin to work through you. 

If you are keeping daily disciplines of  Developing through the word of God you will begin to gain confidence in God’s promises. 

4 things to remember 

1. Remember the Holy Spirit gives you the ability 

2. Remember to pray for open eyes to opportunities  

3. Remember to Stay in the word 

4. Remember to start with intentional conversations  

Everyday disciple making begins in everyday moments, the question is are you leaning into the leader within you? Are you abiding in the Spirit of God. 

Ephesians 3:10-12

10 This is so that God’s multi-faceted wisdom may now be made known through the church to the rulers and authorities in the heavens. 11 This is according to his eternal purpose accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. 12 In him we have boldness and confident access through faith in him.

Ephesians 3:16-21

16 I pray that he may grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with power in your inner being through his Spirit, 17 and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. I pray that you, being rooted and firmly established in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the length and width, height and depth of God’s love, 19 and to know Christ’s love that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. 20 Now to him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us— 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

I pray this brings you one step closer to becoming the disciple maker God wants you to be with confidence.