B29 Three Stages of Disciple Development
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B29 Three Stages of Disciple Development
(Turn on the English subtitles in the video!)
I have found out that we usually go through three phases in the ministry to unbelievers.
a) Focusing on myself
The first phase is usually focusing on myself: What will I look like? What will George think of me? And to whom else will he tell his judgment about me? We talked about natural sharing of Jesus and a Christian, director of a small bank branch said, “You know, Paul, I can’t be taken for a fool at work.” I have also heard: “I don’t want to look like a Jehovah’s Witness.” You don’t have to “be taken for a fool” at all, nor do you have to “look like a Jehovah’s Witness.” But I understand that in the first phase (focusing on yourself) such thoughts come to you.
During my first „testimony sharing“ a long time ago, I felt like I couldn’t even count to five. I was terribly unnatural, insecure, I didn’t look my George in the eyes. It’s no surprice if he was listening to me with benevolent pity.
When we are learning to serve unbelieving friends in the first phase (that is, when we focus on ourselves) we are controlled by our feelings. Above all, there’s the doubt about our own value. „I’ll be embarrassed, I’ll look stupid“ – but I reveal my uncertain attitude with the visible nuances of my behavior! Without wanting it, my uncertainty gives George the impression that I am not completely convinced about my message myself.
The primary solution to the weaknesses of the first phase is a firm anchorage in the Lord Jesus: anchoring my own value in Him, as well as the value of the gospel. (We’ll talk more about this later.) It also helped me a lot to realize that the main person talking to my George’s heart at this moment is Jesus, not me myself.
b) Focusing on the ministry
If a disciple has grown a little out of himself, he usually concentrates on his „production“: to talk to George in a correct and interesting way, to have answers to his questions… When I tried to share the good news in this second phase of my development, I explained it in a terribly complicated way and it was also long – because I tried to put „everything important“ in it. To shorten it, I spoke quickly, which was complete nonsense. Though I didn’t want my message to sound awkward, all my diligent anxiety actually made George change the topic of the conversation into something more comfortable.
The primary solution to this stiff behavior when focusing on my sharing is practice! Gaining confidence in the use of the main tools: a lightning story, my story, Jesus‘ bridge over the gap of our evil things, invitation to Discovery and so on. I mean numerous and frequent practicing – just for myself. Then I have a clear line in the content and a way of delivering it as well as coherent key formulations.
c) Focusing on George
It’s only the third stage of our development in the ministry to unbelievers which focuses on George. Mature ministers of the gospel have worked enough on themselves and their message that they can focus on their recipient. They already have enough internal capacity to listen to their George, to pray for him in their mind during the conversation and to listen to the present living Lord Jesus. At the same time, they remain themselves and share deep and practical content of the gospel. They share it in a way that exactly corresponds with George’s current needs.
Today I’m thinking about what will speak into his heart. In addition to perfectly practiced basic tools, I have the capacity to follow his thought processes, his feelings, doubts and the deep reason why he is asking exactly these questions. Then my explanation of how to invite Jesus into his life and the call to do it right now is more natural and bolder. You recognizes if I’m speaking to him because I care, or for other reasons.
None of this is wrong!
I think that anyone who tries to bring the gospel to unbelievers must inevitably go through the first phase of focusing on themselves. Even through the second phase – focusing on the message and the method of its delivery. The main thing is not to stay where we are, but to purposefully move towards focusing on our George. What stage are you at right now when it comes to sharing Jesus? What can you do to move from the current phase of your development to the next phase and then to the next?
Lord Jesus, please give my friends who are watching these videos, inner freedom and perseverance in practicing and using the main tools until they reach complete mastery, which will allow them to stay in touch with You while focusing on George and his inner things…