Making Disciples - Equip

Equip with Prayer

As with Engage, it starts with prayer, seeking God’s face, and asking for the power of the Holy Spirit to engage, equip, and empower you. Prayer not only prepares us to do the work, but it prepares the hearts of those we are working to equip. Consider the story of Nehemiah who was deeply saddened that the walls of his city were destroyed. He did nothing without prayer. Before acting, he beseeched God to move on his behalf. God moved the heart of a pagan king to generously provide for Nehemiah’s needs to restore the walls. Think how much harder, and even impossible, that would have been if God hadn’t started the work. It’s the same with equipping others. We must ask Him to prepare hearts and then seek how He wants us to act.

Sometimes it is tempting to rush through prayer so we can get to the “real" work, but prayer is not only the thing happens before we do the work. As Oswald Chambers said, “Prayer does not fit us for the greater work; prayer is the greater work.” We should constantly ask, “God, where do you want me?” He is already at work; we just need to pray for discernment to know where He is calling us.

Bob Spiegler is the Southwest Minnesota Area Director for FCA and has been living this out for many years. He has seen the clear effect of prayer on his work. “The Lord Jesus hears our requests and wants to guide our every day. My morning prayer includes, ‘I pray for Your divine appointments this day, for a changed heart, my heart to change, the words to say, and that You would keep the adversary at bay.’ We are to pray expectantly and seeking awareness of those divine appointments when they happen.” Bob has seen countless answers to this prayer over the years: “These appointments include people in need, staff or volunteers we are searching for in our FCA ministry, or situations that are used to prune us.” Bob’s wife, Karen, leads the prayer ministry for Southwest Minnesota FCA. He would be the first to say that her work is every bit as vital to his work of equipping disciples to become more like Christ.

Equip with Scripture

Studies reveal that only about 10% of Christians read their Bibles daily, but it is impossible to effectively disciple others if we are not regularly in God’s Word ourselves. To teach others, we must become like Jesus. To become like Jesus, we must know Him. To know Him, we must know His Word. To know His Word, we must:

• Hear it.
• Read it.
• Study it.
• Memorize it. 
• Meditate on it.
• Apply it.
• Teach it.

It is important enough to say it again. It is impossible to become a disciple of Jesus without knowing Him. Knowing Him comes from knowing His Word and seeking His face.  And it is through knowing the Word of God that people are equipped to both follow Jesus and lead others into relationship with Him as well. 

Equip in Community

Together we reflect Jesus better than any one individual alone. Together we grow in Christ better than any one individual alone. “Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken,” (Ecclesiastes 4:12). There is strength in numbers to help us keep going and keep us accountable to the task of discipleship.

Jesus taught His disciples in community, and we are created to be in community. Hebrews 10:24-25 says, “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” God created us for community. 

Zach Hansen, FCA Area Director for the north metro is intentional about equipping in community. “Building disciples first starts with building relationships. I have been very intentional about reaching out to coaches and athletes to connect with them in activities that they are into like playing golf, pickleball, spikeball, etc. Then it is important to begin having important conversations and asking deep questions. As these coaches and athletes grow in their faith, the invitation will be for them to each invite two peers to do the same with this fall, as they then are empowered to minister to their peers.”

Equip with a Clear Plan

Benjamin Franklin said, “Failure to plan is planning to fail.” You can have the best intentions of meeting a goal, but if there is no plan, the probability of reaching that goal diminishes exponentially. FCA recommends setting clear expectations on the duration (how long is this season of discipleship?), frequency (how often will we meet?), and filter (where will you invest your time and energy to keep the focus on discipleship?). Finally, it is important to be flexible. Expect obstacles to come up along the way, but do not let those challenges derail you from the plan. Instead, take the time to address the conflict and then continue moving according to the predetermined plan. 

James Bolin is the FCA Area Director in Southeast Minnesota. James has a clear plan for discipleship with coaches that includes the following:

1. Select 3-4 coaches and/or athletes each year. 
2. Meet with each person once per month for 30-40 minutes (frequency).
3. Use specific resources. James uses the athlete or coach track at www.pursuegod.org (filter). Each one is designed for 12 meetings or more (duration).
4. Connect with each coach every week or two via text to check-in.
5. Pray for each one almost every single day. 

James has seen the fruit of following this program. There may be bumps along the road, but as things surface, James has learned to be flexible and adjust the plan where needed. Having a clear plan keeps everyone on task and brings about excellent results.

Staff is excited about the method of Equipping that has been presented. Each element is obvious, yet it is easy to pass by a step if it is not part of an intentional plan. The presence of scripture, prayer, community, and planning will produce fruit in the lives of those we are leading to become effective Christ followers who are multiplying themselves in the lives of others.