There are seasons in our walk with God when He places a burden on our hearts—something we can’t ignore no matter how much we try to push it aside. For the past months, that burden for me has been discipleship and small groups in our church.
For the past years, I’ve been facilitating our Youth and Young Professionals Fellowship every Sunday after service. We would discuss the sermon, share our stories, and pray for one another. It was always life-giving, but as the group grew larger, I began to notice that one hour was no longer enough. Some members were not being followed up, some stopped coming, and only those who were consistent remained.
This burden led me to pray for a smaller, more intentional group—a space to pour deeply into a few individuals, guide them in their faith, and raise disciples who would disciple others, strengthening the faith of our growing community. A discipleship modeled after Jesus Himself:
- life-on-life,
- walking together,
- learning together,
- and growing in Christ together.
As I prayed, the Lord began to move in unexpected ways.
An Unexpected Fellowship
One Sunday afternoon, our group decided to visit a sister who had been away from fellowship for some time. Unfortunately, she wasn’t home, but we still took the opportunity to enjoy a snack together at a nearby spot. During our fellowship, I shared with them my burden for discipleship and how I’ve been praying for small groups. Little did I know, that ordinary afternoon snack was part of God’s plan.
Over the following week, I continued to pray:
“Lord, who do You want me to disciple? Who are the people You want me to walk with?”
Day after day, I brought names before Him, until one day, He made it clear: the very people who came with me that Sunday afternoon were the ones He was entrusting to me.
I reached out to each of them, intentionally asked if they were open to being discipled and also to disciple others in the future, and by God’s grace, all four agreed.
God’s Gentle Confirmation
That same day, God orchestrated another moment: we were all assigned in the worship service—me as co-leader, them as singers and pianist. Afterwards, we ended up having dinner together.
It felt like God Himself was putting us in the same room and saying, “This is the beginning.”
As I look back on this journey of prayer, waiting, and God’s surprising answers, I realized He was shaping my heart through the process. There is still much to prepare, learn, and pray about—but one thing is clear: God has answered.
And from this season, I want to share 3 key lessons the Lord has been teaching me—truths that may also guide you as you pursue discipleship:
1. Discipleship Begins with Prayerful Dependence
Before Jesus chose the twelve, He spent the night praying (Luke 6:12–13).
One day soon afterward Jesus went up on a mountain to pray, and he prayed to God all night. At daybreak he called together all of his disciples and chose twelve of them to be apostles. —Luke 6:12-13, NLT
True discipleship is not about who we think would be “good leaders” or “easy to work with”—it’s about asking God to show us whom He has already prepared.
For weeks, I prayed for clarity. Sometimes I grew impatient, but God gently reminded me that He is the one who chooses, calls, and equips. My part was to wait and pray.
Practical takeaway: If you feel a burden for discipleship, start with prayer. Write down names God brings to mind, and bring them before Him daily. Trust that He will confirm in His time.
2. Obedience Matters More than Having It All Figured Out
When God placed the burden in my heart, I honestly felt unqualified. Discipleship is a big commitment—it requires time, patience, and responsibility. But I also knew that the prompting wasn’t from me, because if it were just me, I would have given up. It was the Holy Spirit sustaining the desire.
Matthew 28:19–20 reminds us of the Great Commission: “Go and make disciples of all nations…”
It doesn’t say, “Go when you’re ready” or “Go once you’ve mastered everything.”
It says, Go. Obedience comes first; God provides the grace and wisdom along the way.
Practical takeaway: Don’t wait until you feel 100% ready. Start with what you have. Invite two or three people. Share your life, open Scripture together, and let God grow both you and them.
3. God Orchestrates the Details When We Step Out in Faith
From the missed house visit that turned into a fellowship, to the worship service where all of us were assigned on the same day, to the unexpected dinner that sealed our commitment—God’s hand was in every detail.
Proverbs 16:9 says, “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.”
Looking back, I realize that even the “small” or “random” moments were part of His design.
Practical takeaway: Pay attention to God’s nudges in ordinary moments. That casual coffee, car ride, or dinner might be the setting where God begins something new.
Why Small Groups and Discipleship Matter
Discipleship is more than a church program—it’s a lifestyle. Small groups create space for accountability, encouragement, and spiritual growth that can’t always happen in large gatherings. In Acts 2:46–47, we see the early church meeting in homes, breaking bread, praying, and praising God together. The result? The Lord added to their number daily.
When we intentionally gather in smaller circles, we make room for honesty, vulnerability, and transformation. We also create space for multiplication—disciples who make disciples.
Final Encouragement
Discipleship is not easy—it’s a calling that requires love, patience, and sacrifice. But it is also deeply rewarding, because it is the very heart of Jesus’ mission.
If God has placed a burden in your heart for discipleship, I want to encourage you:
- start praying,
- start obeying,
- and start watching how God weaves the details together.
You don’t have to carry the weight alone. You just have to say yes. Obey, and let God do the rest.
Reflection Questions:
- Has God placed a burden in your heart for a smaller circle of discipleship?
- Who are the people you sense God may be asking you to walk with more intentionally?
- What’s one small step of obedience you can take this week?
Let’s Keep Growing Together
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Faithfully,
Yani 💛
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