Principle 7 – Gather People – Gather People to Influence People (part 9)

“Discipleship Uncomplicated”, The 8 Principles of Disciple Making by Dr. Warren Haynes

Principle 7 – Gather People – Gather People to Influence People (part 9)

Once I was driving home after evening classes, and I sensed the Spirit of God asking me to visit a man named Kevin. He had been a neighbor of mine and had recently moved. I had also built a good relationship with Kevin and his wife. My wife and I had them over to our house and had invited them to church. Kevin and I had worked out together, and we had gone hunting together. As I was driving back from my classes, I called Kevin and asked if I could stop by his house and talk with him. He said, “Sure”. I knew I needed to talk with him about Jesus.

I took a deep breath and knocked on Kevin‘s door. He answered and invited me in. I told him the truth about what brought me to his door.

“I was driving and praying when God brought your name to mind, and I believe He wanted me to talk with you.”

Kevin sat and listened carefully. (This kind of encounter doesn’t happen every day, so people will often hear what you have to say.)

I shared with Kevin God’s story and my story, and then I asked if he had ever personalized God’s love: “Have you personally believed and committed your life to following Jesus?”

He said he had not, so I asked him if he would like to, and he indicated he would. Next, I let Kevin in a simple prayer where he asked Jesus for forgiveness, acknowledged that Jesus died on the cross and rose again, and committed his life to follow Jesus. This was a powerful, spiritually charged moment. We live empowered every time we follow Jesus into these moments.