READING: Matthew 28:18-20
I wish that every believer had a personal mentor who walked weekly with him or her, spending time together praying, reading, evangelizing, and equipping. I long for the day when older believers take seriously their responsibility to invest in younger believers. I realize, though, that much gets in the way of that responsibility. For example, some believers just don’t feel qualified to invest in somebody else. Others don’t know how, so they never try. Some are just too busy to add something else to their plates.
These realities push me today to consider internet-based equipping—that is, discipleship at a distance with someone who can meet with me only through some electronic means. This approach may not be ideal, but I’ve learned that it’s quite possible to help another believer grow through regular electronic correspondence and interaction. I can still ask hard questions, direct to the Word, and hold someone accountable for his or her spiritual growth. I can engage, encourage, exhort, and extol a brother in Christ from a distance, and the handshakes and hugs of affirmation can come whenever we meet personally. That delivery system requires more work to equip, but it’s worth the effort to “make disciples of all nations” (Matt 28:18).
I challenge you this week to reach out to someone from a distance and perhaps begin a long-distance discipleship relationship. God will be with you.
PRAYER: “God, I don’t want to miss any opportunity to invest in others. Direct me to someone this week.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Jeremiah 38-40, Hebrews 3
