If you’re a regular reader of this blog, you know that I write frequently about all of our responsibility to make disciples by intentionally investing time in people. Paul’s word to Timothy is a key verse:

And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others. (2 Timothy 2.2, NIV)

Paul -> Timothy -> reliable people -> others.

Wait, Bob! Paul was a missionary, and Timothy was a pastor! Yes, but the “reliable people” are the ordinary folks like you and me. “Reliable people who will teach others.” I like to say:

2 Timothy 2.2:  It’s so easy, anyone can do it, even lay people.
It’s so important, everyone must do it, even pastors.

So I am always looking out for ways to encourage people to dive into this, to make the process understandable and accessible. Therefore, I’m indebted to my friend Ray Bandi, who lives in New Hampshire, for passing this on, encouraging me to blog it! I heard Ray share this the first time at the memorial service for Virginia Eims, long-time Navigator, wife of Leroy Eims. Ray had lived in their home for discipleship training.

Ray says that this is what relational disciple-makers do:

• Love
• Pray
• Model
• Teach
• Repeat

That’s it! Love people, pray for them, model godly and missional behavior, teach, and repeat as necessary. We’ll explore these more over the rest of this week.

Here’s a picture of Ray and me from February 2017. And yes, I am standing up.

Also, if you’re a regular reader of this blog, you know it generally comes out around 5:30p. Why am I publishing this one early? Because Ray is having a second heart ablation procedure today, November 9, 2020, to try to correct a persistent heart “flutter.” I know Ray would appreciate your prayer that the procedure goes well and fixes the problem. I’d like to see Ray making disciples for many more years!

Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. (Colossians 1.28, ESV)

We saw it, we heard it, and now we’re telling you so you can experience it along with us, this experience of communion with the Father and his Son, Jesus Christ. Our motive for writing is simply this: We want you to enjoy this, too. Your joy will double our joy! (1 John 1.3, 4, MSG)

Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. (James 5.13 – 16, ESV)