The Power of Reaching One
I think in our day, it’s very easy to stand behind a computer and think that’s ministry. Of course that’s part of it, but when that’s all we do, I think there’s a problem. Too many of us are not willing to go outside to meet people where they’re at. In my position, I get to do discipleship ministry full-time, so I have more time than most. Still, I believe we can all make it a priority to disciple one person. How do we do that?
It starts with praying for a person of peace. In Luke 10, we see what a person of peace is: someone open, who receives the gospel, but is not yet a Christian. John 6:44 tells us how God opens up people of peace. We see God working in people (John 5:17), and our role is to pray (Luke 10:2) and go out (Matt. 28:18-20) to meet the people. So how do we go out? Join a sports team, go to a park, invite friends, and tell them to invite friends. Take a walk in your neighborhood, bring your dog, greet people, and start conversations. The possibilities are endless. Just pray and go. God will teach you as you take the first steps.
When we see the urgency in discipleship, we will go out. When we think we have all the time in the world, we’ll never take that step. So we need to have urgency. We need to see people as souls that are lost without Christ. Until we have this urgency, we’ll continue to stay inside and we’ll feel fine because we’re being “productive,” but only behind closed doors. There is room for preparation and there is room for study of course, but when there’s no room to go out, that is a problem.
If we reached out for, prayed with, and discipled just one person, imagine the change that could happen. Imagine how our neighborhoods, schools, and churches, and society would blossom! It can be done, but it takes a step in that direction. There are so many reasons we do not do it. We do not know enough, we do not have the time, our job is in another area, we need to attend to other things, etc. That is fine, but if we just focus on one person or family, that will be a success! God can work in one person to bring more people as well, so you end up being a blessing to not just one, but many.
Let me give you some examples of how Jesus has worked in my life to help others. There is a man who is going through a divorce, and he was invited to another man’s discipleship group that helped him through a hard time. Another example is a young guy who is trying to find his way in life, has many questions, and wonders why he has never “felt” God. He is wondering what he should do with his life and what his purpose is, and he wants to have a deeper relationship with God. Well that person is now not only dedicating himself more to seek Christ and coming to a discipleship group, but he is persuading a friend to attend his Bible study! His friend is dealing with guilt and feeling like he is not good enough, yet God is working through my friend to reach him! One more example is while being at a restaurant, by the grace of God, I connected with the waiter and found out he is going through a divorce and seeking help. I agreed to call him later, and he was open to church and prayer.
I can give more examples of what God is doing, but here is my encouragement for you: start with one step. What will you do this week to reach an unchurched, unreached person for Christ? What actionable step will you take (and keep) each week until God blesses you with that person? Pray and believe that God will help. God is working, and we cannot be afraid; God has given us a spirit of power, not of timidity (2 Tim. 1:7-8). Will you do it? Will you take that step and continue?
