Discipleship Through Relationship Part 1

DISCIPLESHIP THROUGH

RELATIONSHIP2 Kings 6:1-7

• 1 The company of the prophets said to Elisha, “Look, the place where we meet with you is too small for us. 2 Let us go to the Jordan, where each of us can get a pole; and let us build a place there for us to meet.” And he said, “Go.”

• 3 Then one of them said, “Won’t you please come with your servants?”

• “I will,” Elisha replied. 4 And he went with them.   

• They went to the Jordan and began to cut down trees. 5 As one of them was cutting down a tree, the iron ax-head fell into the water. “Oh no, my lord!” he cried out. “It was borrowed!”

•

• 6 The man of God asked, “Where did it fall?” When he showed him the place, Elisha cut a stick and threw it there, and made the iron float. 7 “Lift it out,” he said. Then the man reached out his hand and took it.

Matthew 28:18-2018 Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given complete authority in heaven and 

on earth. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to 

the end of the age.

• Jesus talked to His disciples and told them to make disciples.

• ‘BE A DISCIPLE. AND PRODUCE MORE DISCIPLES LIKE YOU.”

• Shoe factory…• The church is to be a disciple-making

factory…

• The word Christian is used in the N.T. 3 times, and the word believers is used 2 times. The word disciple is used 269 times. Jesus did not call you to be a Christian or a believer. He called you to be a disciple! To be a disciple, you have to be a believer and a Christian, but not the other way around.

1. Spend time with your disciples

2 Kings 6:1 1 One day the group of prophets came to Elisha and told him, “As you can see, this place where we meet with you is too 

small. 

• One key to effective discipleship is TIME SPENT TOGETHER.

• Not just in church, not just in business meetings, not just in formal meetings and appointments, BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, IN CASUAL MOMENTS.

• Jesus’ greatest miracles happened in the homes, when He spent time with people.

• But first and foremost, have disciples. You will spend time just with anybody if you do not have disciples.

• But if you have disciples, you will know with whom should you spend your time the most.

2. Be approachable

2 Kings 6:1 1 One day the group of prophets came to Elisha and told him, “As you can see, this place where we meet with you is too 

small. 

• The prophets were not REQUIRED nor THREATENED so that they would go to Elisha for their concern. They came to him. We can see the element of relationship there.

• They did not have to call the secretary and schedule for an appointment to be able to speak with Elisha. They came straight to Elisha.

• That is how discipleship works. There is an established relationship. Where there is relationship like friendship, do you ask for permission first for you to be able to talk to your friend? Or spouse or children to their parents.

• Being a leader alone, sometimes create a picture in the mind of the people that they cannot talk to you.

• Be approachable. That people will not be intimidated nor afraid to approach you or talk to you. We need to conduct ourselves in such a way that people will remove all their fears about us. And that they will be “comfortable” to talk with us.

• Testi: in our church we have this open door policy. Anybody can talk to us as their pastors.

3. Teach them to take responsibility

2 Kings 6:1 One day the group of prophets came to Elisha and told him, “As you can see, this place where we meet with you is too 

small. 

• Discipleship is different from the work of the nanny.

• They noticed that things are not anymore comfortable. They noticed an issue that needs to be addressed. That is good discipleship. Rather than not noticing anything at all!!!

• They are not just there, waiting for some spoon feeding. They have a sense of responsibility.

• Teach your disciples to be responsible. And when they take responsibility, DO NOT BE INTIMIDATED!

• Elisha was not mad when the prophets gave the remarks that their meeting place was not enough anymore, and that they needed a bigger one.

4. Allow them to solve problems

• 2 Kings 6:2 2 Let us go down to the Jordan River, where there are plenty of logs. There we can build a new place for us to 

meet.”

• They did not complain. They brought up an issue and brought up a solution for it.

• Disciples identify the problem and they SEE the possible solution.

• Discipleship is about MUTUAL TRUST.• The disciple trusts the leader with his/her life

and ministry. At the same time, the discipler trusts the disciple.

• If there is a problem, the discipler is not to play hero by solving ALL the problems. The disciples should take part in solving the problem.

• ILLUS: • sometimes when we meet, there are certain

people who will bring up problems and concerns. They will have a long litany of issues. But they never give any solution.

• That is not discipleship! That is not being a good disciple! That is about bring a whiner and that person will always release a spirit of distress and discouragement.

• So, among our disciples, we made a rule: NOBODY IS ALLOWED TO BRING UP A PROBLEM IF HE/SHE IS NOT READY WITH A SOLUTION.

• We do not want our meetings to be so discouraging. Our meetings should always be ENCOURAGING.

5. Be the leader• 2 Kings 6:2 2 Let’s go down to the Jordan River, where there are plenty of logs. There we can build a new place for us to 

meet.” “All right,” he told them, “go ahead.”

• As we see things that needs an immediate action, take the lead and allow them to see that you agree and willing to work with it.

• SET IT UP AND FOLLOW UP!!!

6. Delegate authority• 2 Kings 6:2 2 Let’s go down to the Jordan River, where there are plenty of logs. There we can build a new place for us to 

meet.” “All right,” he told them, “go ahead.”

KNOW THEIR SKILLS AND TALENTS THEN APPOINT THEM.

TAKE THEM OUT TO MOVE AND PARTICIPATE.

“TEAMWORK MAKES THE DREAM WORKS.”

DISCIPLESHIP THROUGH RELATIONSHIP

2 Kings 6:1-7