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My friend Ray shared with me the epoxy principle of disciple-making which he learned from our friend Rick. 

Epoxies are created through reacting an epoxy resin and a hardener.

That is, it takes two different chemicals to make epoxy. The hardener without the epoxy resin won’t do the job. Some of us are “hardeners:” trained and experienced disciple-makers. We know how to help someone mature in their walk with God until they are helping others do the same. But we are useless without someone to build into! 

Whenever I teach disciple-making, the inevitable question is, “Where do you find people to disciple?” Answer, God has to bring them to you! I’m always looking for the people. I pray for “men of valor whose hearts God has touched.” (1 Samuel 10.26) And when God brings one, the “resin,” I have the privilege of becoming his “hardener”!

In these days he went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God. And when day came, he called his disciples and chose from them twelve, whom he named apostles… (Luke 6.12, 13, ESV)

And he went up on the mountain and called to him those whom he desired, and they came to him. And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach… (Mark 3.13, 14, ESV)

You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. (2 Timothy 2.1, 2)