Notes on Starting Discipleship
I met Darin 2 years ago at a Logos breakfast. I Had committed my life to Christ about 10 years before that, but was having some trouble deciphering how my life was supposed to look.
Like many Christians, I found the Bible hard to read and had difficulty finding practical application for life situations.
I wanted to walk more closely with God but wasn't exactly sure what that was supposed to look like.
At the Logos breakfast I heard Darin speak about one on one discipling of men.
To be honest I didn't know what it really meant to be a disciple or to make a disciple, but at that point in my life I really needed someone to listen to my story and help me find Biblical ways to handle the issues that I was facing.
For anyone who is intimidated by the thought of "discipleship" ... don't be.
What Darin does so well is that he takes the intimidation out of it.
I started to meet with Darin for weekly lunches. I wasn't expected to know anything or bring anything. Being disci pled really meant:
- Committing to Darin that I would read the Bible-One Year.
- Opening up about anything that I felt comfortable talking about and letting Darin point me to scriptural applications for handling those issues (Darin's scripture memory is so impressive)
- Learning from Darin more about how to be humble, how to pray more and how to listen.
As a result of those lunches, I saw a true transformation in my heart. Ultimately, being discipled meant that I was taught how to pursue God through his Word for answers to the issues that life throws out.
Ultimately, my walk as a Christian has been improved by my relationship with Darin and Logos.
It has given me encouragement in leading a small group Bible Study of friends because I feel better prepared.
The model of Logos Leaders Outreach is to make disciples of other men (following Jesus' great commission). Two years ago I would not have considered myself to be a candidate to disciple anyone. But after learning from Darin how discipleship works, I became comfortable with the roll and I now meet with someone regularly to disciple him.
If you, or someone that you know, would be interested in being disci pled, please let Darin or one of the board members know. If you feel compelled to support this ministry with prayers, they would be greatly appreciated. If you feel led to donate to this organization, that would also be greatly appreciated. It is a small non-profit and the funds all go towards disciple making. I can stand here and tell you that it works ... it is for God's glory ... and it is impactful. I encourage you to check it out.
Dialogue to start a meeting with a good friend or someone newer for discipleship.
People ask a lot of questions when we mention one-on-one meetings for discipleship. Men want to know what to talk about and where to begin. Basically anyone believing in Jesus Christ can do this and benefit greatly from it. It involves simply sharing something from our lives and a goal of getting guys into the Bible. No pressure to know it all or huge amount of time and the following dialogue shows how an appointment can start with someone wanting to get discipled. Don’t try this at home (kidding and please try this with men)!
Terry [sits down next to Darin at a local restaurant]: “Hi, Darin.”
Darin: “Hi, Terry. Good to see you. How’s it going?”
Terry: “Good. Feeling a little swamped last week at work, but nothing major. How ‘bout you?”
Darin: “Great now that I’ll get to have a burger and fries here for lunch! Hey, how’d it work out with your friend’s surgery last wk: I prayed for that.”
Terry: “Thanks and it went well. He said he’d know more by Friday. Speaking of this weekend, did you really sign up for that all-weekend tennis tournament? That sounds brutal in this heat.”
Darin: “Definitely signed up, and I’ll probably miss the hottest times because of losing early. I’ve improved, but I need patience to not go back to golf.”
Terry: “That actually reminds me of something I wanted to ask you. Two weeks ago you mentioned a verse about patience that has been on my mind a lot. This sounds so basic, but do you think the Bible always promotes patience?”
Darin: “I think so, but great question. Let’s order and then use your phone to look up a couple passages while we eat.”