It’s that time of year again, when our radio stations, inboxes and mailboxes are flooded with a galore of Christmas. As any girl, I’ll be the first to admit that a discounted coupon or holiday advertisement can surely cause my eyes to take a second glance, but what really catches my gaze and captures my heart is the Gift that surpasses any present under the tree - J-E-S-U-S!

As a girl who could once careless to what was inside her Bible, I now find myself craving for its wisdom and truth. And how true the statement is that “Revelation Brings Transformation” When we discover the heart of Christ and His love for us – we can’t help but be transformed. We are compelled to love others in the ways He loves us and our hearts in turn break for what His heart breaks for.

My name is Rebecca Harper. This summer I joined staff with Redeemed Girl Ministries. Apart of my job at RGM is meeting with young women on college campuses, who have a desire to start discipleship groups. Often I get asked the question: How can discipleship be done effectively. That question comes with a two part, straightforward and simple answer. My pastor in college taught me that as Jesus’ disciples, our job is to do two things 1) point the way and 2) help clear the path.

Concerning discipleship, He writes: “There’s ultimately nothing any of us can do to force people to grow in Christ. Nothing. So whether we offer a 26-option discipleship program or a 4-option one really doesn’t matter. If someone really doesn’t want to grow, they’re either going to say no 4 times or 26.” – Steven Furtick

And for that reason, effective discipleship must be kept pretty simple.

As disciples, hopefully we’ve all had one if not many individuals in our lives who have pointed us to the greatest Gift, Jesus Christ. These are the individuals who confront us when we are tempted, comfort us when we are lonely and they'll correct us when we are wrong. God brought the woman who discipled me into my life at the perfect time.

I was a sophomore in college and had just ended a four year relationship. A relationship that was not honoring to God; and one that I sought to find my fulfillment, self-worth, and identity in. After that break-up my desire to deepen my relationship with my Savior grew, and in every sense of the word, I was hungry for His truth. During this season of life, I met the women who would model for me what it meant to be a disciple of Christ.

She pointed me to the truth in God’s word, causing my “hunger pains” to only intensify as I began soaking in His truth and finding Him to be The Bread of Life. She became my prayer warrior and accountability partner. She pointed me closer to Jesus and helped to clear the path by giving me books and scripture to deepen my knowledge of God and love for Him. Her guidance equipped me to live the life God design for me to live.

Reflecting on her influence upon my life helps me answer the question…What is Effective Discipleship?

3 Practical things you can do to point the way:

First, Be loving. Jesus’ love should compel us, not constrain us. And who else better to model our lives after than the one who gave love sacrificially and offers it abundantly. The love of Jesus should be the most practical thing we reflect to those who do not know him. We can simply love our neighbors by our actions, words and in our sensitivity towards them. If you see or hear a sorority sister’, friends’, or co-worker’s need and you can meet it - go for it! Live with your head up and your eyes open. Love softens hearts and points and paves the way for the Gospel to be heard.

Second, Be prayerful. In the car. In line at Starbucks getting your Pumpkin Spice Latte. In the office or in class. Over lunch. Be in prayer at all times. Why not simply ask, “Can I pray for you about something or Can we pray now?” The “now” part is for sure going to be a shocker, or at least it was for me. My dearest friend in college became the first person in my life who instead of offering to keep me in her prayers, offered to pray for me in the moment of my hurt. She pointed the way to Jesus through prayer.

Third, Live intentionally. In her book Radiant, Marian Jordan describes a radiant woman as “one who lives intentionally by setting her priorities according to her purpose to reflect the radiance of Jesus”.  We all know how this works. If we desire to do well on a test, then we are disciplined in going to class and intentional about studying. If we desire great, Godly friendships, then we are intentional about staying in touch with our friends and prioritizing our time to meet or talk with them. The same is true about a disciple of Jesus. We deliberately choose to live in such a way that every day, every moment, every hour counts for Christ. We intentionally seek Him and intentionally set our priorities.

Practical ways to help clear the path:

At Redeemed Girl Ministries we provide books, teaching podcasts, blogs and an annual discipleship retreat (Redeemed Girl Institute) to help girls grow in their walk with Christ. In short, we point the way to Jesus and walk out the vision of our ministry: To see young women redeemed by the grace of Jesus, transformed by His truth, and who live for the glory of His Name.

All of these resources are available to you so that you can help clear the path for a friend or sister. Visit our Teaching and Discipleship pages to view our weekly Bible study podcasts, teaching blog, and tools to help you start your own small group.

I pray this holiday season that you will consider discipling a friend or sister in Christ, and that as you seek God’s word together you’ll find yourself fuller than you were the hour after your family’s thanksgiving meal and the sale at the mall will not hold anything to seeing a life transformed through the revelation of Jesus, Our Greatest Gift!

For His Glory,

Rebecca

We'd love your input. Tell us your ideas for effective discipleship. Who impacted your life as my mentor did mine?