The Lost Art of Disciple Making by LeRoy Eims

Chapter 1 – The Need for Multiplying Disciples

I would like to create a poll and see how many “kids” of my generation were discipled, where and by whom. And certain things simply don’t count. If you were one of 30 kids in a confirmation class – huh uh. Classroom style, lecture style – nope. Ten minute sermons once a week? I don’t think so. No, I mean one on one, sacrificial even, investment into your Christian maturity. Who supports you and who lifts you up. And in return, who do you foster?

This isn’t about a parent either. Sure, in an ideal family setting, you would learn what you needed to know to grow into a mature Christian by some good role-modeling on the part of the parent. But let’s face it, not many of us come from ideal homes where the key to Christian-living was planted in rich soil, watered and fed daily, and nurtured into a fragrant blossom or fruit bearing tree.

I go to church weekly. I read Bible verses almost daily. I haven’t seriously memorized anything in 2 years. Prayer? I’m horribly awful at it. My hope is gone. My joy is lacking. The fruits of the Spirit are dried up. I’m drowning and there is no one to save me.

All about me.

I certainly cannot do a good job of saving someone else in this condition. Quite funny actually. I think a great deal of us are floundering in the ocean. Sharks are circling. A hurricane is headed our way. We are grasping at straws. The reality is that we cannot do this alone. But where do we turn?

We keep turning to each other. But it is not good enough. If we were to find one person we would drag that person in with us. We each need someone to lend a us an arm, a hand, a buoy. Someone to get us back on track. Someone to stick with us and cheer us on.

Someone to hold us accountable.

Where do you find such a person when the harvest is great and the workers are few? Especially when people tend to think you’re a worker. Not all workers are created equally.

More and more the church is producing ill-equipped Christians. There will be fewer and fewer to invest in significant disciple making.

I long for someone to invest in me. Where does one go? When time is at a premium?

For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world did not come through the law but through te righteousness of faith.
Romansh 4:13 (ESV)