The Heart of a Multiplier
Discipleship starts with character!
Welcome back, friends! We’ve discussed the call from Jesus and the importance of seeing ourselves as disciple-makers with a heart filled with love and purpose. But before we get to the 'how-to' skills of disciple-making, we need a firm foundation. Like the concrete slab for a house – if this one thing is not strong, whatever we build on top is going to be shaky. The foundation of discipleship is Christlike character.
Abiding in Christ: The Non-Negotiable Starting Point
Every disciple who multiplies disciples has their own vibrant, personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Effective disciple-makers are always people who have a deep passion for knowing, loving and becoming more like Jesus.
This isn’t something you achieve once and then move on. A dynamic relationship with Jesus is an ongoing journey, something we nurture every day through prayer, soaking in God's Word, and consciously depending on the Holy Spirit. This personal connection with Jesus is like the wellspring, the source from which all fruitful ministry flows. Living and growing as a disciple happens before and alongside the work of making disciples. You can't effectively lead others to a place you're not actively heading towards yourself.
Developing a Christlike character isn't just a nice side-project to making disciples. It is the engine that drives effective multiplication. If we try to teach discipleship without a solid foundation of Godly character, it’s not only going to be ineffective, it could actually be harmful. Think about qualities like trustworthiness, genuine love, patience, humility, and faithfulness. These aren't just optional extras or 'soft skills.' They are the essential relational glue that makes real discipleship possible and attractive.
True followers of Jesus are drawn to follow a disciple-maker because of who they are becoming in Christ. The disciple-maker's life inevitably becomes part of the lesson plan, showing the reality and how these truths actually work in real life. So, the main goal isn't just passing on information or skills, but helping to reproduce Christlike character.
This highlights how important it is for our church to put a huge priority on the ongoing spiritual growth and character development of every Jesus follower. It should be just as important, if not more so, than just learning new skills. We need to create spaces where people can be real and vulnerable, where there’s mutual accountability, and where everyone is encouraged to share their stories with one another. Being mentored while you’re mentoring others is so vital. It gives you the guidance, support, and a living example you need for your own continued growth.
Core Character Traits and Spiritual Disciplines
Building on that foundation of abiding in Christ, there’s a whole constellation of specific character traits and spiritual disciplines that consistently pop up as essential for those who want to multiply disciples. These aren't things you're born with, but qualities we develop as we intentionally chase after God and live obediently within our faith community. They show a life that’s becoming more like Jesus in practice, teaching and character. The Christian character traits give real credibility and authenticity to our witness and guidance. Some key ones include:
Love for and Internalisation of God's Word: This is more than just knowing Bible facts. It’s a deep love for Scripture that manifests in regular study, thinking deeply on God’s Word, and letting it shape our hearts, thoughts and actions. The Word is our primary source of truth in disciple-making.
Prayerful Intercession: Developing a consistent, bold prayer life, talking confidently with God, and diligently praying for the salvation and spiritual growth of those we’re discipling is absolutely crucial.
Love for Others: This shows up in lots of ways: sacrificial love for your spouse, spiritual nurturing of your kids, genuinely caring for fellow believers, loving your neighbours in practical ways, and having deep compassion for those yet to meet Jesus.
Faithfulness and Obedience: Being reliable, keeping your commitments, and obeying Christ's commands, even when it’s tough (carrying your cross), is fundamental. This includes being obedient to the command to make disciples itself!
Humility and Teachability: Recognising that we depend on God, being open to correction, and actively seeking mentorship and guidance from others shows a posture that’s necessary for both personal growth and effective leadership.
Perseverance: Making disciples comes with inevitable challenges, setbacks and suffering. Being able to patiently persevere through difficulties, trusting God's timing and power, is essential for seeing fruit in the long run.
Commitment to Community: Actively taking part in regular fellowship with other believers for mutual encouragement, accountability, and worshipping together is vital. Discipleship thrives in community.
Service and Generosity: Using your spiritual gifts to serve others in the church and community, and practicing cheerful financial generosity reflects a heart that’s been transformed by the Gospel.
Worship and Gratitude: Keeping a posture of worship and thankfulness, giving glory to God for any fruit that comes from ministry, helps keep the focus on Him and protects us from pride or discouragement.
Helping people grow these characteristics should be a central focus of any effort to develop multiplying disciples. A Christlike character is good soil in which effective disciple-making can take root and flourish.
