God is Already at Work
Adrian Thornton

If you are like me, you may have felt shame or pressure around leading people to Christ. After all, that is what we are all called to do (the leading people to Christ part, not the shame!). I have carried those feelings for a lot of my Christian life.

I think we need to understand our responsibility to go into all the world and make disciples. Jesus told us to pray for ‘workers’ who would go into the fields that are ripe for harvest.

Sadly, in all the emphasis on evangelism, we can pick up this idea that we have to make things happen. Reaching the world for Jesus is all on us and our ability to win people to Him.

If that is you, can I bring you to a revolutionary scripture that turns the idea of having to make something happen on its head.

Maybe read that scripture a few times, and slowly. Let it challenge your understanding of Jesus and what He was able to do. Are you beginning to understand what He is saying? Jesus could only do what He saw the Father doing!

When it comes to discipleship and reaching people for Christ, we must remember that we can only be effective where God is already at work. If Jesus couldn’t do anything by Himself, then neither can we!

With that in mind, here is a simple framework for leaning into relationships where God is already at work. It’s called the Discipleship Square (see image below), and it’s all about living with intention to cooperate with what God is already doing.

1] Casual Conversations: People with whom you have polite interactions but aren’t close to.
🛑 Discipleship blockage > Cliques. You have no more room for closer friends in your life.
⤵️ Proactive discipleship > Look for the one outside your current friend circle.

2] Meaningful Conversations: People who are open to talking about deeper things in life.
🛑 Discipleship blockage > Private faith. You keep your beliefs and spiritual life to yourself.
⤵️ Proactive discipleship > Speak openly about the difference God makes in your life.

3] Spiritual Conversations: People who express a curiosity in your faith and are interested in finding out more.
🛑 Discipleship blockage > Fear of rejection. You are worried you will lose your friend if you ask them to read the Bible with you.
⤵️ Proactive discipleship > Be bold and ask a friend to read the Bible with you.

4] Discovery Conversations: People who are ready to read the Bible with you and discuss what stands out to them.
The following blockage and proactive steps are about the person you have been discipling. The intent is that they
🛑 Discipleship blockage > Consumerism. They make faith about themself and not others.
⤵️ Proactive discipleship > Encourage your friend to live with discipleship intention.

The goal is not just to disciple our friends to faith in Jesus. Our goal is to make disciples who make disciples. Leading someone to Christ is about training (discipling) them to live with discipleship intention and engage in the same practice of casual, meaningful, spiritual, and discovery conversations with others.

Can I remind you that Jesus said the fields are ripe for harvest. In other words, God is already at work in people’s lives. The work of His people is to go into the harvest field (workplaces, universities, communities, schools) and do what we see the Father doing.

Have a look at the Discipleship Square below and think about the different people in your life. What conversation stage are you at with them? Who is God working in, and how can you lean into that relationship with discipleship intention?

Below is Sunday’s message on YouTube

Bible Discovery Story: Acts 16:11-15

To do:
Write down the names of friends/family under the different stages.
Pray and think about who God is at work in.
What blockages are you facing that you need to overcome?

Remember, discipleship is proactively leaning into relationships where God is already at work.

Here is a list of Cells at Citylife. If you aren’t in one yet, reach out to the leader to find out more. Remember, disciples are in community, so we encourage you to join one!