Discipling Men
posted by Navigators on October 19th, 2023 in Blog | Discipleship | Grow
By Thomas Bielenberg, Canberra Labouring Community
Here’s what’s been happening in the ADFA/RMC Community recently:
Caleb is discipling Eddy and leading a Bible study
Caleb* will be discipling Eddy* this week while I’m away. We have been meeting Eddy together most weeks as I hand him over to Caleb for discipleship. I still remember Robin Dennis, who discipled me while I was at ADFA, saying, “If you don’t know what Bible passage to read today, read a chapter of Proverbs corresponding to that day’s date.” (There are 31 chapters in Proverbs). I mentioned that to Eddy. Two weeks ago we encouraged him to be read his Bible regularly. We had to miss our meeting for one week, but the last time we met, Eddy said that he had read each day, from Proverbs, for two weeks straight! I was so excited to hear this.
Jesus quoted the Old Testament in reply to the Devil’s temptation to turn the stones into loaves of bread, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Matthew 4:4
Reading, studying, dwelling on, memorising, and meditating on God’s word are some of the most important things we can do.
Caleb will lead the Friday Bible study while I am away this week. We have been working through a Bible study leader’s course. The Bible study he will use is on Titus 3, which he has developed from scratch.
Andrew ran a very practical workshop on discipling men at the National Conference.
He challenged us to make a list of 5 to 10 guys in our circle of influence. For each of those guys he coached us to fill in our own table with:
- common Interests (such as work, sport, fun),
- our basis of authority (eg age, friend, work),
- the truth they need to know (eg gospel, self-knowledge, discipleship etc) and
- how we might love them (dinner, pray, time, coffee etc).
You might find it helpful to do the same for the men or ladies in your life.
Andrew has now been on staff with Navigators for nearly two years. He is meeting with six guys one-to-one, and planning and running some evangelistic BBQs. It is great to have him as part of the team.
Some prayer points:
– For Caleb as he disciples Eddy, and leads a Bible study while I am away.
– For Andrew as he continues discipling young men. For wisdom to know what to teach each week and for insight to make it count.
* Names changed for privacy reasons.
Thomas and Raylee Bielenberg are part of our Canberra Labouring Community. Find out more about their ministry here: https://navigators.org.au/members/