#11 - Under Pressure: A Conversation about Influence and Discipleship

This month our hosts, Beth Whitney and Cole Harper, are joined by Sonja Warner to discuss influence, both gospel and secular, and opportunities for discipleship.

Sonja and her husband moved to the Sacramento area in 1993 and began attending Arcade Church in 1999. Over the years, Sonja has been involved in leading small groups and women’s Bible Studies. She served for a few years as Women’s Ministry Director and currently volunteers at the Welcome Hub and in the library. Most recently, she is exploring the possibility of becoming a writer. Last year Sonja wrote a Bible Study on 1 Peter and is currently working on a study in Hebrews. During the day Sonja works as a bookkeeper for a local small business and is an avid reader with a special interest in history (because the best stories are always the true ones). She lives with her husband of 38 years and a sweet Yellow Lab named Molly.

 

If you have questions about today's episode, you can email them to [email protected]

 

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Some Starting Points for Disciplers:

If the idea of discipling another believer is new to you, or if it just feels overwhelming, that is okay. If you are a believer in Jesus and growing in your faith you are qualified!  Here are a few suggestions to help you get started:

1. Pray! Ask God to open your eyes to someone he wants you to disciple. Look around and see who he has placed in your life; and keep an open mind because it might not be someone you would immediately think of.
2. When God puts someone on your heart or in your path, invite them to coffee (or lunch). Take some time to get to know them. Learn their story; what has their faith-walk been like up to now? What are they afraid of, what are the things that encourage/discourage them? What areas of life are they looking to grow in?
3. As the Holy Spirit leads, invite them to meet on a regular basis. Here are a few ideas for how to start:

• Read Scripture and discuss it together. You might want to start with one of the Gospels (especially if you’re meeting with a new believer). Ephesians is also a rich book for discussion.
• Pray through the Psalms together.
• Use a study such as The Apostle’s Creed by Tim Chester to discuss the essential truths of the faith.
• The Navigators really do publish an excellent selection of study guides for discipling others. Growing In Christ: A Thirteen-Week Follow-Up Course for New and Growing Christians is a good starting place for new believers. Their Design for Discipleship series covers many topics on the Christian life.
• Read a quality book together and discuss it. There are some excellent books on discipleship. Eugene Peterson’s book A Long Obedience in the Same Direction is one of the best (in my opinion). Habits of Grace by David Mathis is another excellent choice.

1. 4. Remember there is no single, “right” way to do discipleship. Keep God’s Word at the center and remember that your role is not to “fix” or change the other person. You are teaching them how to walk with God in their own circumstances; God will transform them as they do.