8 Declarations for a Disciple Maker

Day 2:The Disciple Maker’s Spirit

Declaration #6: The spirit of a disciple maker is one that earnestly desires his or her disciple to excel and exceed.

1.       A disciple maker will put their reputation on the line for the success of their disciple.
2.       A disciple maker will help their disciple develop their gifts, talents and skills.
3.       A disciple maker will mentor their disciple to ensure they get the best training.

Final Thoughts

Saul from Tarsus would not have been as likely to succeed if Barnabas didn’t risk his own reputation to help him. The church elders suspected Saul, who we know as Paul, of faking his conversion in order to spy out more Christians. But Barnabas wanted to see him excel and exceed, and was willing to mentor Saul to see his gifts, talents and skills develop. Barnabas understood that Paul’s conversion was the work of the Holy Ghost and his success would be the churches success.  

Biblical Devotion

Acts 9:26-27  And when [Paul] had come to Jerusalem, he attempted to join the disciples. And they were all afraid of him, for they did not believe that he was a disciple.  (27) But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles and declared to them how on the road he had seen the Lord, who spoke to him, and how at Damascus he had preached boldly in the name of Jesus.

Acts 11:25-26  So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul,  (26) and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.

Acts 13:2-4  While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”  (3) Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off. (4) So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus.

Ephesians 2:10  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Exodus 35:10  Let every skillful craftsman among you come and make all that the LORD has commanded.

James 1:17-18  Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.  (18) Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

Proverbs 22:29  Do you see a man skillful in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men.

1 Corinthians 12:4-7  Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit;  (5) and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord;  (6) and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone.  (7) To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.

1 Peter 4:10-11  As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace:  (11) whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Exodus 31:3-5  and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with ability and intelligence, with knowledge and all craftsmanship,  (4) to devise artistic designs, to work in gold, silver, and bronze, (5) in cutting stones for setting, and in carving wood, to work in every craft.