Torch, Summer 1983

A third pitfall is pride. One can easily get an exalted view of himself as a discipler , the leader of this individual. There is also the danger of the disciple ' s becoming dependent on his teacher. Remember , the goal is to move him to be independent of the discipler and dependent on Christ . T: Don't closer friendships also mean more vulnerability for the discipler? H: The discipler needs to give the disciple a realistic view of himself. He needs to be honest regarding the joys and the victories in his life. He also needs to be honest with the disciple regarding weaknesses . T: What if you sensed that your disciple is not being faithful? H: You have to determine whether there is an underlying root cause . I try to learn if he ' s struggling in his relationship with his wife , with his work , with someone else , or with the Lord in some way. If, after discussion , I conclude that he ' s just lazy , then I recommend terminating the discipling relationship. However, the door is always open if he wants to begin again , once faithfulness is proven. T: Can someone say, "I don't have that gift. Discipling is not God's program for me"? H: It 's not a question of what gifts one has. It's a questi on of obedience to Christ ' s command . It is true , though , that a person will disciple another individual according to the gifts he has. For example, if one has a gift of teaching , then his discipling will be characterized by much teaching. If one has the gifts of helps , he might involve disciples in projects that help other people. Gifts determine discipling style. T: You seem to indicate that every person ought to be discipling someone. H: I think at each point in life we should be asking ourselves the question, "To whom am I passing the baton ?" For a wife and a mother, it may be the children. For a pastor, it would be his board. The leadership in the church should be thinking , "Whom can I be discipling'7" If I lead someone to the Lord , I should be discipling him as a new believer. I have two goals in a discipling ministry. One is to develop people who are mature . In Ephesians 4: 13 , Paul desires that be! ievers grow to the stature of Christ , be like Christ. My second goal is that my disciples become multipliers , people who will now do to others what I've done to them. This is the ministry of reproduction. • 7