Make Disciples That Make Disciplesნიმუში

Who is my neighbor?

When Jesus looked at the crowds, He saw more than strangers on dusty roads—He saw sheep without a shepherd. We, too, need two sets of lenses to see our world clearly:

Immediate Network: friends, family, neighbors, coworkers, classmates—people we know by name, contact regularly, and share life with.

Global People Groups: every tribe, tongue, and nation. Those beyond our day-to-day lives that are very different from our own.

Both views matter, but today, let’s focus on the first: those within arm’s reach of our everyday rhythms.

In Matthew 9:9-13, we see Jesus at work with His relational lenses wide open. Jesus didn’t wait for Matthew to clean up his act. He invited him right where he was—sitting among “sinners.” Jesus extended grace, pursued the one in need, and then taught mercy rather than ritual. This is disciple-making in action: meeting people in their mess, loving them with compassion, and calling them into something deeper.

To apply this, take a moment and write down the names of 20 people that you:

1. Interact with regularly.
2. Know well enough to text, call, or meet.
3. Understand something of their story, struggles, or hopes.

This list becomes your relational stewardship roster—those God has placed in your everyday orbit. Your call is twofold:

Be Patient

Growth in Christ often unfolds slowly. Just as Jesus spent time with Matthew before training him, we too must invest months or even years into the people around us.

Be Persistent

Invitations may be declined again and again. Yet each “no” is not final. It may be the very persistence that softens a heart.

Every time you meet someone on your list, ask:

“Am I encouraging them to love and good works?” (Hebrews 10:24)

“Am I drawing them closer to God?”

No one is ever so mature that they no longer need encouragement. We all stumble—every day. By asking these questions, you steward your relationships with intention and love.

Questions to consider:

• Who are the 20 people in my immediate relational network?
• Are there any of them that I can encourage today?