1 Thessalonians 3

June Memory Verse: All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV)

Read: 1 Thessalonians 3

The Heart of a Discipler

What does the heart of a discipler look like?  What do they do?  What do they long for?

Today we have the incredible privilege of peeking inside the heart of the Apostle Paul and his disciple Timothy to see their hearts for the church in Thessalonica.  You’ll remember from yesterday’s reading that Paul sent Timothy to check on this church and bring Paul back a report as to how they were doing.

Dear brothers and sisters, after we were separated from you for a little while (though our hearts never left you), we tried very hard to come back because of our intense longing to see you again. We wanted very much to come to you, and I, Paul, tried again and again, but Satan prevented us.  2:17-18

Paul loved them and sent Timothy in his stead to continue the process of discipleship that he had started.  From this chapter, we can glean some principles that show us what we are to do as we obey the command of Christ (Matthew 28:19-20) to disciple others.

Checkup/Check in
5 That is why, when I could bear it no longer, I sent Timothy to find out whether your faith was still strong. I was afraid that the tempter had gotten the best of you and that our work had been useless. 6 But now Timothy has just returned, bringing us good news about your faith and love. 8 It gives us new life to know that you are standing firm in the Lord.

This is a good place to start when you’re meeting with your disciples.  I often begin by asking how they are doing, talking about life, then checking on their spiritual status.  Asking questions like…
  • How have you been doing with spiritual disciplines like prayer and reading your Bible?
  • Have you been keeping sin at bay?
  • How deeply are you loving God?

Encourage
2 …to encourage you in your faith

Life is tough.  Many times, your disciple will share about struggles or failures.  Your responsibility then is to encourage them.  Speak truth in love but allow the Holy Spirit to use you to lift them up.  Pray for them.  Read through the Psalms together.  Share how God encouraged you.

Strengthen through study of the Word
2 We sent him to strengthen you…

As we have seen, discipleship isn’t just a book study, but without the planned study of God’s Word, it isn’t discipleship either.  Make sure you prayerfully decide on a course of study.  Our discipleship resources can help you – cpclex.org/discipleship.  Ask them to share the answers they recorded to the questions, and then you share yours.

Address concerns and struggles
3 and to keep you from being shaken by the troubles you were going through.

Questions are going to arise.  Don’t run from them – answer them.  If you don’t know an answer, tell them you will have that for them next time.  That gives you a week to research, ask, and prepare to bring the answer back to your disciple.  

Pray for your disciples
10 Night and day we pray earnestly for you, asking God to let us see you again to fill the gaps in your faith.

Your disciple deserves to know that you pray for them every day.  Pray for them in the meeting, but also in your daily time with the Lord.  Pray for their needs.  Ask them how things are going.

Coach them as they disciple others
12 And may the Lord make your love for one another and for all people grow and overflow, just as our love for you overflows.

Discipleship is about reproducing.  Them doing for someone else what you have done for them.  Passing it on.  That’s why doing a systematized book study (like CPC’s) is important – it’s reproducible.  After a month or so together, make sure you ask them who they have in their sights for discipleship, and encourage them to get started.

The Goal
13 May he, as a result, make your hearts strong, blameless, and holy as you stand before God our Father when our Lord Jesus comes again with all his holy people. Amen.

I couldn’t say it any better… your goal is to develop them to become strong believers who impact others.  Take them one step closer to becoming true disciples of Jesus.

There is no greater joy in the Christian experience than obeying Jesus’ command of making disciples.  I hope you are doing that regularly.  If not, why not begin today?  If we can help, go to cpclex.org/discipleship.  You’ll find a survey form there.  Fill it out – we’ll help coach you or match you with someone to disciple.

By: Tim Parsons

6 Comments


Mike Pepper - June 7th, 2021 at 6:15am

3) and to keep you from being shaken by the troubles you were going through. But you know that we are destined for such troubles.



Thanks for the encouraging word to start the week Tim. Verse 3 grabbed my attention today. As we disciple fellow believers it’s important that we share the truth about what it means to daily walk with Christ. Yes there are many joys and the promise of heaven, however we are “destined” for troubles on this Earth. I believe it’s important to share our struggles so that those we disciple can see authentic faith. If we are vulnerable with them it will encourage the person we are discipling to reciprocate. Walking with Christ does not lead to a life free of trials but it gives us peace and encouragement as we walk through them.

Joey Stafford - June 7th, 2021 at 6:30am

What would be some good resources for discipleship of longtime believers?

Nick Parsons - June 7th, 2021 at 12:46pm

Of course, nothing can replace the daily intake and study of God's Word but there are some EXCELLENT books I can point you to to challenge and grow you in supplement.



I think a lot of the discipleship of longtime believers is growing in leadership and obedience and not merely just knowledge (such a temptation in the west)... hit me up!

Naomi Austin - June 7th, 2021 at 9:37am

Thank you for this clear & helpful guidance straight from God’s Word!

Lindsay Crawford - June 7th, 2021 at 9:55am

Thank you pastor Tim, for always encouraging CPC and constantly reminding us of who we are in Christ and the impact that should have on our lives. Your entry today was so helpful, and your message yesterday regarding the condition of our

Lindsay Crawford - June 7th, 2021 at 9:58am

hearts was so powerful. I continually thank God for you , all of the CPC staff and the loving members. We are so blessed!

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