1 Thessalonians 3:2 “And sent Timothy, our brother and minister of God, and our fellow laborer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you and encourage you concerning your faith,”
Defining what discipleship is and what a discipler does brings about many discussions. As I look to God’s Word, I find one verse after another from the teaching of the apostle Paul that explains what a discipler does thus defining for us what discipleship is. Here in this verse, Paul tells the Thessalonians the purpose of Timothy coming to them and in doing so reveals what it means to be a discipler and the primary actions of a discipler.
First notice that Paul described the character of Timothy as a discipler must be an example.
As a reminder, there is one tremendous verse on being an example that anyone wanting to be a discipler must know and live out. I speak of 1 Timothy 4:12 which says, “Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.”
Secondly, to disciple a person is to help them become established or firm in their faith. They are to be taught to know what they believe AND why they believe it.
1 Peter 3:15 says, “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,”
Thirdly, we find discipling others calls for encouraging them as they run the race God has for them. Just as Moses was to encourage Joshua we are to encourage those we disciple.
From this one verse, we learn three essentials of being a discipler and doing the actions of discipleship. Be an example to the disciple, teach them what to know and why they should know it to establish their faith, and give encouragement as to them as they run the race with endurance that God has set for them.
My checklist for myself as I disciple is what are they learning from what they are seeing (example).
What are they learning from what I am intentionally teaching to establish their beliefs and behavior?
What are they hearing from me to stay running strong in the race? (encouragement)
Continue Strong being a disciple that disciples,
And remember to DATE the Word