Move from personal devotion to making disciples by inviting another person into the truth and practices that are already shaping your life. You do not need to become an expert before beginning. You need the gospel, Scripture, humility, and a willingness to walk with someone.
Identify one person
Look for a family member, friend, church member, or newer believer who wants to grow. Begin with relationship rather than announcing a program.
Ask whether the person would like to meet regularly for Scripture, prayer, and application.
Share what is living
Do not merely transfer notes. Share what God is teaching you and how you are responding.
Appropriate honesty helps the other person see that discipleship is growth, not performance.
Read Scripture together
A Christian book can support the relationship, but Scripture should remain central. Read a short passage, observe the meaning, and identify obedience.
Practice together
Pray aloud, memorize a verse, serve someone, practice confession, or complete an application. Shared practice turns instruction into formation.
Review
Begin the next meeting by asking what happened. Celebrate faithfulness, receive grace for failure, and adjust the action when needed.
Build multiplication into the relationship
From the beginning, explain that the goal is not permanent dependence on you. As the person grows, help him or her invest in someone else.
Personal devotion becomes disciple-making when truth travels through a faithful relationship and continues beyond it.
Biblical anchors
Mark 3:14 grounds the article’s central question. Read the surrounding paragraph or chapter and note what it reveals about God and the response expected from the believer.
2 Timothy 2:2 adds an important biblical balance. Read the surrounding paragraph or chapter and note what it reveals about God and the response expected from the believer.
Matthew 28:20 shows how the truth becomes lived obedience. Read the surrounding paragraph or chapter and note what it reveals about God and the response expected from the believer.
Questions for further study
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Which statement in this article most needs to affect your understanding or conduct?
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How does Mark 3:14 confirm, correct, or deepen the article’s answer?
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What fear, attachment, distraction, or habit makes a faithful response difficult?
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Which person or responsibility should be affected by your next step?
Put it into practice
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Study: Read Mark 3:14 in context and write one sentence explaining how it contributes to the answer given in this article.
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Respond: Choose one statement—such as “Share what God is teaching you rather than waiting to become an expert.”—and turn it into a specific prayer and action.
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Review: Tell a trusted believer what you plan to do and ask that person to follow up within seven days.
Common mistakes to avoid
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Disciple-making is not creating dependence on a human leader.
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Multiplication without abiding can become technique without spiritual life.
Name the real situation
Consider a real situation connected to this statement: Begin by identifying one trustworthy person who wants to grow. Name the person, decision, or responsibility involved. Read Mark 3:14 in context, then write what faithfulness would look like before the end of the week. Avoid a broad promise such as “try harder.” Choose an action that another person could recognize and review.
Examine the heart response
Consider a real situation connected to this statement: Share what God is teaching you rather than waiting to become an expert. Name the person, decision, or responsibility involved. Read 2 Timothy 2:2 in context, then write what faithfulness would look like before the end of the week. Avoid a broad promise such as “try harder.” Choose an action that another person could recognize and review.
Continue with the annotated study guide
The annotated edition connects personal pursuit and abiding in Christ with the Great Commission and the formation of disciples who make disciples. This article answers one focused question; the complete edition brings all ten chapters into one connected study experience.
The Pursuit of God (Annotated): A Modern Study Guide to A. W. Tozer’s Classic on Abiding in Christ and Making Disciples