We have enough on our plates. Working hard, caring for family, developing friendships, making ends meet, saving money, exercising, eating healthy, finding a spouse, cultivating our relationship with God, and a whole host of other responsibilities. On top of all that, we are supposed to make disciples? Dave Buehring tackles how we can’t look at disciple making as another item we check off on our “to do” list. And, how it’s different from mentoring and coaching.

Defining Terms

• Disciple – one who loves, obeys and serves Jesus
• Disciple Maker – one who deliberately models and teaches another to love, obey and serve Jesus
• Disciple Making – reproducing the character, ways and mission of Jesus in those around you, expecting them to multiply the same in others
• What is the difference between disciple making, mentoring and coaching?
  • Mentoring – a relationship that passes on skills, knowledge and experience to
    another on any topic
  • Coaching – Guiding people towards discovering answers through well asked
    questions
  • Disciple Making – how to follow Jesus as His disciple in any and all areas of one’s
    life; always tethered to God’s ways in scripture

*It matters who is doing the mentoring, coaching or disciple making. If that person is
incorporating Biblical principles into their guidance and counsel.

Scripture Reference
“And He (Christ) himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds
(pastors) and teachers, to equip the saints (his people) for the work of ministry for building up
the body of Christ.” ~ Ephesians 4:11-12 (ESV)

Pastors and teachers are supposed to equip us (believers) for the work of ministry. Who better to disciple someone who wants to start a company than someone who has already faced the challenges of being a godly entrepreneur? Who better to disciple a mother of young children than someone who has survived and learned lessons from that season of life? Making disciples means coming alongside people in a relationship built on trust and being able to point them to God’s ways and truth.

For more on this subject, pick up a copy of The Great Opportunity: Making Disciples of Jesus in Every Vocation. 

For more on walking under authority, check out Chapter 7 in A Discipleship
Journey, Lionshare’s primary tool for discipleship here.

© 2020 Dave Buehring / Lionshare, All Rights Reserved.

When available, episode notes are at Lionshare.org/podcast. Learn more about Lionshare's ministry at Lionshare.org Purchase books on discipleship and subscribe to teaching videos at Lionshare.org/store Download the Lionshare Leadership Group app for free video devotionals.