Torch, Summer 1983

6 d isciple 's needs. One way of doing this is to ask him , ''What do you feel your needs are at this point in your sp iritual pilgrimage' 7 " Once I determine this, I look for material on that particu lar topic . I decide how I want to present that material. With a brand new Christian I would take him through books like John MacArthur 's Keys to Spiritual Growth and Let's Live by Curtis Mitchell. These include basic information on forgiveness , confession of sin, temptation , being filled with the Holy Spirit, and God's will. T: When is the best time to disciple? H: I think the discipling ministry demands both the forma l and informal meetings. The formal meetings involve planned and organized content. Businessmen cou ld meet during mealtimes, perhaps for breakfast once a week. Couples could meet one evening a week. However , much discipling takes place during informal times. This might mean during sporting events, overnight camping , traveling, eating out, and other fun activities . T: So discipling is more than just a weekly rendezvous. It's a friendship commitment. H: Yes , I think that 's the goal. The death of a discipling ministry comes when the discipler says, "I know I should spend time with the person I'm discipling , but I'd rather spend time with my friend ." It ' s a relationship that's built , not just the taking of a person through a program. I must admit I found that with some of the men I have d isc ipled, I didn ' t enter the discipling relationship with a great amount of feeling for the individual. But , I wanted to serve . I saw a need and, therefore , I wanted to commit myself. Later, God bonded our hearts together. T: What are some pitfalls? H: One would be the demands that are placed on the discipler: emotional strength and physical strength . Another would be a lack of faithfulness to the commitment: being selfish, wanting time for oneself, or not being available when one is called at 3 a .m. for counsel.