“Disciples are made to make disciples.”
This past Sunday’s message on discipleship was a beautiful reminder of what happens when a person truly lives their life out to the fullest for Christ. The cost of discipleship might be high, but the legacy left behind is unmatched.
I thought of one person in particular that was a true disciple who made other disciples - my Aunt Nancy who passed away this past year. Without even truly knowing it, she made a massive impact on my faith. She was a disciple-maker in every sense of the word.
When I looked back on her life and what made her such a pillar of faith to me, I believe she was characterized by these three things:
- She pursued Jesus with her whole heart, mind and spirit
- She loved others and spurred on their faith - every conversation led back to Jesus
- She led quietly and humbly without expecting anything in return
All of this made me think about the LIFE acronym that Pastor Jason shared - each of these characteristics were part of her life. And that’s why she left such an impression on me.
Her faith, led to my deeper faith, which is now a catalyst to me discipling others.
How far can our impact go when we have Jesus on our side? It is beyond comprehension.
There were so many others who have impacted my faith up until this point, and I’m sure there will be more to come. I thought about the careful discipleship of my youth group leaders in junior high and high school who answered all of my questions and doubts about God and never lost patience…or the English teacher in high school who encouraged me to keep pressing on in my faith and cling to Him when times got tough…or the women at our church who have met me for countless coffee dates and prayed over me and given me chances to speak and share all the while sitting there with love and encouragement beaming from their hearts.
We are the sum of those who have poured into us, and we must in turn, go out and pour into others.
A dear friend said to me once, “Erika, God has poured so much into you these past few years. You can’t just keep that inside, you have to pour out…”
And with that, I want to encourage you to think about all the precious disciples who have poured into you. What timeless gifts of wisdom and grace have they given you? What lessons have you learned through trial or tribulation that you now need to share and encourage others with? What can’t be kept inside any longer?
Like my friend encouraged me, these lessons are meant to be shared. Start pouring out my friend, because God will truly multiply it!
“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:35 NIV)
This past Sunday’s message on discipleship was a beautiful reminder of what happens when a person truly lives their life out to the fullest for Christ. The cost of discipleship might be high, but the legacy left behind is unmatched.
I thought of one person in particular that was a true disciple who made other disciples - my Aunt Nancy who passed away this past year. Without even truly knowing it, she made a massive impact on my faith. She was a disciple-maker in every sense of the word.
When I looked back on her life and what made her such a pillar of faith to me, I believe she was characterized by these three things:
- She pursued Jesus with her whole heart, mind and spirit
- She loved others and spurred on their faith - every conversation led back to Jesus
- She led quietly and humbly without expecting anything in return
All of this made me think about the LIFE acronym that Pastor Jason shared - each of these characteristics were part of her life. And that’s why she left such an impression on me.
Her faith, led to my deeper faith, which is now a catalyst to me discipling others.
How far can our impact go when we have Jesus on our side? It is beyond comprehension.
There were so many others who have impacted my faith up until this point, and I’m sure there will be more to come. I thought about the careful discipleship of my youth group leaders in junior high and high school who answered all of my questions and doubts about God and never lost patience…or the English teacher in high school who encouraged me to keep pressing on in my faith and cling to Him when times got tough…or the women at our church who have met me for countless coffee dates and prayed over me and given me chances to speak and share all the while sitting there with love and encouragement beaming from their hearts.
We are the sum of those who have poured into us, and we must in turn, go out and pour into others.
A dear friend said to me once, “Erika, God has poured so much into you these past few years. You can’t just keep that inside, you have to pour out…”
And with that, I want to encourage you to think about all the precious disciples who have poured into you. What timeless gifts of wisdom and grace have they given you? What lessons have you learned through trial or tribulation that you now need to share and encourage others with? What can’t be kept inside any longer?
Like my friend encouraged me, these lessons are meant to be shared. Start pouring out my friend, because God will truly multiply it!
“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:35 NIV)
Erika Pizzo
Erika is an author of various books on the topics of faith, mental health, and victory in Christ. Erika lives with her husband, daughter, son, and their fluffy poodle in sunny Southern California. Her two favorite things are a visit to the beach and a chai latte in hand.