The Heart of a DisciplemakerSample

Day 2: An Initiating Heart

Paul didn’t wait for the new believers in Thessalonica to ask for help—he initiated help! Note 1 Thessalonians 2:2 (NIV): “We dared to tell you his gospel in spite of strong opposition.”

With spiritual newborns, taking initiative requires taking risks. Your overtures to meet for Bible study could be rejected. You may feel like you are crowding into their busy lives, inconveniencing them. Take heart! Jesus crowded into a new believer’s day. In John 9 He healed a blind man, who was then criticized by the Pharisees. They suspected a trick and even asked the man’s parents if their son was truly born blind. Finally, they kicked him out of the synagogue. Imagine the newly healed man’s confusion!

Verse 35 (NIV) says, “Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and when he found him, he said, ‘Do you believe in the Son of Man?’” when He found him! Jesus took initiative to find the man and follow up on his new faith. He didn’t wait for the man to find Him.

I’m glad a grad student, Bob Van Zante, took initiative to mentor me, or I would not have grown in Christ—I didn’t even know which questions to ask! Think about it: Most of us, as new believers, did not seek out a Bible study or a mentoring relationship with a spiritual coach. Someone else dared to make the first move. A discipler takes initiative.