By Andrew Williams
Opening Prayer
Lord, may our lives be a believable picture of your love and grace, so that others are drawn not just to our words, but to you in us.
Today’s Scripture (NLT)
1 Thessalonians 2:8
“We loved you so much that we shared with you not only God’s Good News but our own lives, too.”
How do we actually “make disciples”? We often think it’s about having all the right answers or a formal teaching curriculum. While teaching is important, the Apostle Paul reveals the true heart of discipleship here. He didn’t just share a message; he shared his life.
Discipleship is fundamentally relational. It’s not a program; it’s a partnership. People learn to follow Jesus less by listening to our lectures and more by watching our lives. They “catch” what it means to be a Christian by seeing how we handle pressure, how we love our families, how we pray, how we repent when we fail, and how we trust God in uncertainty.
You don’t have to be a perfect example to be a good example of a grace-filled, repentant follower of Jesus. Inviting someone into your real, unfiltered life is the most powerful discipleship tool you have. It makes the Gospel believable. People are not just looking for information; they are looking for incarnation—the truth of Jesus lived out in the life of someone they know.
Disciples’ Life Tip: Think of one person you are trying to influence for Christ. This week, go beyond just talking about faith and find a way to “share your life” with them. Invite them over for a meal, ask them to run errands with you, or simply have a conversation about your real-life struggles and joys.
Closing Prayer: Father God, help us to be authentic and available. Give us the courage to open up not just our Bibles, but our very lives, so that others can see Jesus in us. Amen.
