5 Principles to Help You Disciple Another Believer
Discipleship is the act of intentionally coming alongside another Christian to help them grow up in the faith. It is part of the Great Commission (Matt 28:18-20) and a vital part of our growth in Christ.
But how does one actually disciple someone? Are there some principles to guide us?
Recently, I was preaching in the book of Colossians, a letter that I believe Paul hoped would help the Colossians grow up in the Christian Faith. As I preached my last sermon—which was kind of an overview sermon—I was struck by the way that Paul discipled the Colossians throughout his letter! The principles of discipleship are modeled by Paul, if we slow and observe what he is doing.
I believe that we can find 5 key principles for our own discipleship of other people from Colossians:
PAUL’S METHOD OF DISCIPLESHIP AS SEEN IN HIS LETTER TO THE COLOSSIANS
1 PRAYER
Faithful discipleship involves prayer for the person we are discipling. Paul shares his prayer for the Colossian Christian (1:9-12). This portion of the letter teaches the Colossian believers how to pray, but it also shows us Paul’s own dependence upon prayer. Prayer is essential in discipleship.
When you disciple someone, be sure to pray for them regularly. Start your time together in prayer. End in prayer. See God answer the prayers of His people who seek His help.
2 ENCOURAGEMENT
Faithful discipleship involves giving frequent and genuine encouragement. Paul encourages the Colossians for their strong faith and their good order (2:5). It was also his hope that Tychichus, his co-worker and carrier of the letter, would also encourage them (4:8). We too must be encouragers of those we disciple.
We can encourage them in the ways they are following Jesus, in their fight against sin and temptation, and the ways we see God at work in them. Encouragement strengthens us to keep seeking Christ and to run hard the race before us.
3 WARNING
Faithful discipleship includes warning of spiritual dangers. Paul was concerned for the Colossians’ spiritual state and the dangers they faced and he was not afraid to warn them (2:8-23). Those we disciple today need to hear warnings as well. These include warnings of false teaching in the world, lies in the culture they may be hearing, and warnings of signs they may be drifting away from the gospel.
It is a loving act to warn those in danger, and we must not be afraid to give warning when needed in discipleship.
4 INSTRUCTING
Faithful discipleship includes instructing those we meet. Paul instructs his hearers not only in doctrine, but also practice (3:1-4:6); a new Christian needs to learn the basic doctrines of the gospel, and also how to live them out. Faithful discipleship is not merely meeting to chat about life, but it also involves an intentional teaching about Christian doctrine and practice.
5 REMINDING
Faithful discipleship will involve giving reminders of truths covered in previous meetings. Paul reminded the Colossians about prayer and ministry to those outside the faith (4:2-6)—things they likely had already learned from Epaphras who first shared the gospel with them (1:7).
We are all quick to forget, but faithful discipleship filled with gospel reminders to help us keep doing and the believing the things we should.
CONCLUSION:
How do we disciple another person? We intentionally meet with them with the aim of seeing them grow up in maturity in Christ, and this discipleship involves prayer, encouragement, warning, instruction, and reminders.
