Make Disciples: Helping Others Find Their Way to Jesus
How do we live as people who actively invite others to experience God? The Bible provides a clear mandate for believers: to share the good news of Jesus and make disciples. But how do we approach this in a world where spiritual conversations can feel awkward or even unwelcome? The answer lies in understanding the heart of Jesus and aligning with His purpose for our lives. Click the link above for the full message.
Seeing People as Jesus Sees Them
Jesus had an extraordinary way of seeing beyond outward appearances. In Matthew 9:35-36, it says: “Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd” (NIV). Unlike us, Jesus wasn’t deceived by external success or composure. He saw the deep needs of every person—needs that often go unnoticed in a culture that celebrates independence and self-reliance.
What would change if we saw people with the same compassion? Many around us appear fine. WE often appear fine. But it’s so easy to mask when our spiritual hunger remains unmet.
Recognizing the Deeper Need
Even those who seem to have it all together—financial stability, family harmony, career success—are not immune to the brokenness that life apart from God brings. As Jesus described, without Him, people are “harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” No matter the state our life is in, we all need Jesus to lead us and guide us. He is the good shepherd, and we are blessed to be guided into comfort and peace through his care for us.
Why Don’t We Share?
Many of us hesitate to share our faith due to fear—fear of rejection, awkwardness, or even misrepresenting the message. Yet, as followers of Jesus, we are called to step into these fears with courage and love. An outspoken atheist, Penn Jillette, once remarked: “How much do you have to hate someone to believe that eternal life is possible and not tell them that?” There is a huge weight to the message we carry. If we truly believe Jesus is the hope of the world, how can we remain silent?
Battling Misconceptions About Faith
The stigma surrounding Christianity often makes believers hesitant to speak up. Words like “judgmental,” “hypocritical,” or “close-minded” are commonly associated with Christians, and these stereotypes can feel like a heavy barrier. Yet Jesus’ message wasn’t about exclusion or condemnation; it was and remains about love, hope, and transformation.
The Harvest Is Plentiful
Jesus used the metaphor of a harvest to describe the spiritual opportunities around us. In Matthew 9:37-38, He said: “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” This imagery reminds us that many people are ready to receive the message of Jesus—they just need someone to tell them. However, the workers, or those willing to share their faith, are few. Are we willing to step into the role of a worker in God’s harvest?
Understanding Our Role in God’s Plan
It’s important to remember that we are not responsible for “saving” anyone. Salvation is God’s work. We can be care-givers, but God is the only cure-giver. Our role is to be a witness—to share what we’ve experienced and invite others to explore faith for themselves.
How to Share Your Faith Naturally
Sharing your faith doesn’t have to feel forced or unnatural. It starts with love and genuine care for others. Here are some practical ways to make disciples:
Build Relationships: Develop meaningful connections with people around you. Whether it’s coworkers, neighbors, or friends, genuine relationships lay the foundation for spiritual conversations. Who do you already have in your life, and how can you continue to invest in those relationships?
Pray for Opportunities: Ask God to open doors for you to share your story. Be attentive to moments when someone expresses a need, fear, or curiosity about life’s deeper questions. If we’re always listening for God to prompt us and speak to us, we’ll be more readily available to act when He tells us to move.
Offer Acts of Kindness: Simple acts of generosity and service can reflect God’s love in profound ways. Whether it’s helping a neighbor with groceries or providing a listening ear, kindness creates opportunities for connection. Modeling Christ’s love through service is such a great way to share God’s love or spur on conversations you never thought would happen.
Share Your Story: You don’t need to be a theologian to share your faith. Talk about what God has done in your life. Personal stories are powerful and relatable. Your story is beautiful, no matter how boring or controversial you might think it is. God changed your life for good - why wouldn’t you want to share that?
The Power of an Invitation
An invitation can take many forms. It could be inviting someone to a church service, a small group, or even a casual dinner at your home. The key is to create spaces where people feel welcome and valued. Jesus modeled this approach by meeting people where they were. From dining with tax collectors to healing the sick, His interactions were marked by grace and truth. Similarly, our invitations should reflect His heart.
Trusting God with the Results
Ultimately, our job is to plant seeds, not to control the outcome. As 1 Corinthians 3:6 reminds us: “I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow” (NIV). When we faithfully share the message of Jesus, we trust that God will do the rest.
Call to Action: Who Can You Reach Today?
Take a moment to think about the people in your life who might be harassed and helpless without Jesus. How can you share His love with them this week? Whether it’s through a conversation, an act of kindness, or a simple prayer, ask God to guide you in making disciples.
Further Reading
• Book: The Master Plan of Evangelism by Robert E. Coleman
• Book: Multiply: Disciples Making Disciples by Francis Chan
Other Links
• Want to hear more? Check out Daybreak Church’s YouTube page for past messages on similar topics.
• Explore practical resources on making disciples at www.daybreakchurch.org.
