Faith Discipleship

    You become a Christian through faith in Jesus.  There is no other way.  Your faith becomes discipline through obedience, but how are you to learn how to be obedient to God?  You need people to teach you discipleship and start reading the Bible for yourself, so you can really get to know the voice of the Holy Spirit.

    Part of discipleship training is learning how to talk to people about your faith.  People will have good refutes and arguments on why you are wrong and they are right.  It can be easy to back down, but the more scripture you learn and the more you listen to the Holy Spirit the quicker and confident your response will become.

    How do you build rapport with people?  This is important because it will lay out how your visits or discussions will go.  You need to take time to get to know someone, but not so much time that you never get around to talking about faith.  You don't want to rush, but you want to keep it short.  If it goes well, then there will be more opportunities to share your faith and why they need it too.

    When you are meeting for the first time introduce yourself confidently by looking them in the eye with a smile and shaking hands if permitted.  Know their name and do your best not to mispronounce it.  If you are visiting their house be forthright about what brought you there (follow up from visiting the church or whatnot).  Make sure the conversation is not one way.  Ask them questions like what brought them there?  Do they know anyone in the church?  Where are they from?  It can be related to the visit to stay on topic, but gives them a chance to speak and reveal how open they are to conversation.

    When you are trying to share your faith make sure you make a connection.  Find out what their interest are or what they are involved with, so maybe you can connect in a less formal environment.  Discipleship only works if you are willing to become real friends.  True friendship doesn't happen over time, but it does require intentionality.  If you are initiating the relationship, then you need to make them feel comfortable around you.

    Sometimes this part of discipleship is hard for people.  You may need time to prepare, study your Bible, and pray.  I recommend that for everyone, but some people do well put on the spot or in the spot light.  No matter who you are, you can do this.  You do it because it in love for God and loving people the way God loves them.  You do this to reveal soul saving truth to people who may not know or understand.  You do this because you know some people may never step into a church building and you are the only church that they may know.  

Matthew 28:16-20, Luke 9:21-27, & John 8:31-32, 13:31-38