It’s Not One Size Fits All | Thursday – Week 9

Listen instead of reading

Take a Moment

Ask God what He wants to show you before reading today

Read The Daily

“We will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ.” (Ephesians 4:15)

I’m a weirdo that loves systems and processes.  I like to see everything streamlined and would honestly love for my life, relationships and work to run like a well oiled machine.  Just give me the 5 things I need to do for my marriage to be great, raise great kids and kill it at work every single day.  The problem with that is that it simply doesn’t work.  Humans aren’t machines.  There isn’t a quick checklist to make every human interaction work.  I’ve noticed with my two kids, my wife and the crew that I work with that each person is quite a bit different.  How I interact needs to change.  I can make fun of my daughter for something and she’ll probably laugh with me. If I operate the same way with my wife then she doesn’t like it nor think it’s funny.   So what’s the best way to navigate?  Spend time, listen and try to truly get to know others. 

Similarly, discipleship works best when the process is tailored to fit each person. Every disciple comes with a unique background, abilities, pace of growth, and obstacles to overcome. Just as a one-size-fits all dress overwhelms a child, a cookie cutter discipleship approach just doesn’t work. When we take time to understand where someone is starting from and how God has wired them, we can help custom fit a path for growth. We simply come alongside and speak truth in love, just like Jesus did with His disciples. He modeled discipleship that met people where they were and helped them take the next step.

As we help others grow in following Jesus, let’s resist the temptation to be “one size fits all” disciplers. With care and prayer, we can help tailor a discipleship process that helps each person progress. Discipling is not a factory model; it’s a custom clothing shop, suited to each person’s unique shape and size! 

Prayer for the Day

God what are you  showing me?  What am I going to do about it? 

God help me to see one person that I can serve through a kind word, random act of kindness, or simple gift today?

Make sure you complete the reading or comment today.

Read The New Testament In A Year

4 x 6 Plan | Read: Acts 11:19-30 & Revelation 1:9-20