25: Disciple in Community

Key Passage

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.

Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

This verse highlights the strength that we draw from key relationships in our life during growth, trials, and failure. 

From the 20 Practices of Disciplemakers:

Discipling someone alone is often harder than discipling a small group together. Why? Because we grow so much through group learning and through watching the clumsy growth of others. It gives us the opportunity to process successes and failures together. I've often discipled in groups of twos and threes. I love to hear each person stepping up to the plate when they share a truth they've recently made their own. At times, I have asked small groups of businessmen if they would like to gather for a season to grow in leading like Jesus.

I have a friend who disciples Bedouins and Gypsy teenage girls in a Middle Eastern country. She frequently remarks on how the group discipleship process has so often delighted her and accelerated growth in 'her girls.'

Within community, some beautiful things emerge. My friend waited before introducing her worship songs into this group to see if a local sound would develop. To her delight, and because of her patience to let God lead, they now sing their own songs. Heaven hears praises lifted up that are unlike anywhere else on earth! Discipling in community brings so much more growth than we can do alone.