Disciples_Making_Disciples.docx

Devotional

Day 1: Quiet Faithfulness Can Change Generations

God often chooses to work through the unnoticed, everyday acts of His people. The story of Edward Kimball reminds us that a single act of obedience—sharing Christ with one person—can set off a ripple effect that reaches far beyond what we can see. You may never know the full impact of your faithfulness, but God does. He delights in using ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things for His kingdom.
You don’t have to be famous or have a platform to make a difference. Sometimes, the most significant spiritual legacies are built through simple conversations, persistent prayers, and small acts of love. Trust that God can use your life, right where you are, to influence others for eternity—even if you never see the results this side of heaven.

“Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin, to see the plumb line in Zerubbabel’s hand.” (Zechariah 4:10, ESV)

Reflection: Who is one person in your life that you might be overlooking, but whom God could use you to reach in a quiet, faithful way? How can you take a small step toward them this week?

Day 2: Real Relationships Are the Heart of Evangelism

Evangelism is not about programs, events, or clever strategies—it’s about people. Andrew’s example in the Gospels shows us that the most powerful way to share Jesus is through genuine relationships. God places specific people in your life for a reason. Rather than feeling pressure to reach crowds, focus on loving and investing in the “one” God has put on your path.
When you build trust and show real care, your words about Jesus carry weight. Evangelism becomes less about convincing and more about inviting someone you care about to meet the Savior who has changed your life. The question is not whether you can reach everyone, but whether you will be faithful to reach your one.

“So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.” (1 Thessalonians 2:8, ESV)

Reflection: Who is the “one” God has placed in your life right now? What is one practical way you can invest in your relationship with them this week?

Day 3: Christ’s Authority and Presence Empower Our Mission

Jesus never sends us out alone. The Great Commission is not a burden we carry by ourselves, but a mission we fulfill with His authority and presence. When you step out to share your faith, you are not relying on your own strength or eloquence. Jesus promises to be with you, guiding your words and working in the hearts of those you reach.
This truth frees us from fear and insecurity. The results are not up to us; our job is to be faithful and trust God to do what only He can do. When you remember that you go in Christ’s name and with His power, you can step out boldly, knowing that heaven backs you up.

“And he said to me, ‘But I will be with you, and you shall strike the Midianites as one man.’” (Judges 6:16, ESV)

Reflection: Where do you feel inadequate or afraid to share your faith? How does knowing Jesus is with you change your willingness to step out?

Day 4: The Urgency of Sharing the Good News

The gospel is not just good advice—it is a matter of life and death. People cannot believe unless they hear, and they cannot hear unless someone tells them. God has entrusted you with the message of hope that can rescue those who are lost. Like lifeboats on a sinking ship, we have what the world desperately needs.
It’s easy to become comfortable or distracted, but eternity is at stake. Every believer has a pulpit—at work, at home, in the community. God calls you to proclaim the good news wherever He has placed you, trusting that your obedience can make an eternal difference.

“Rescue those who are being taken away to death; hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter. If you say, ‘Behold, we did not know this,’ does not he who weighs the heart perceive it?” (Proverbs 24:11-12a, ESV)

Reflection: Where has God placed you right now that needs the hope of the gospel? What is one step you can take today to share Christ’s love in that place?

Day 5: Multiplication Starts With One—And Continues With Discipleship

God’s design for His church is multiplication, not just addition. When each believer takes responsibility to reach and disciple just one person, the impact grows exponentially. The journey doesn’t end when someone comes to faith; true discipleship means walking alongside them as they grow, teaching them to do the same for others.
This is how movements begin—one life at a time, each one reaching and teaching another. As you invest in someone’s spiritual growth, you help ensure that the DNA of the church remains “disciples making disciples.” Your faithfulness today can unleash a multiplying movement that reaches far beyond what you can imagine.

“And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.” (2 Timothy 2:2, ESV)

Reflection: Who is someone you can intentionally disciple or encourage in their faith journey? What is one way you can help them grow and equip them to reach others?

Sermon Summary

of the Sermon:**

This sermon, “Disciples Making Disciples: One Life at a Time,” calls the church to embrace the simple yet world-changing vision of every believer reaching just one person for Christ. Through the story of Edward Kimball and the chain of influence that led to Billy Graham, the message illustrates how God uses ordinary people to spark extraordinary movements. Drawing from the examples of Andrew in John 1 and the Great Commission in Matthew 28, the sermon emphasizes that personal evangelism is not about programs or personalities, but about faithful obedience to Christ’s command, empowered by His authority and presence. The urgency of evangelism is underscored by the reality that people cannot believe unless someone tells them, making this mission the lifeblood of the church. The practical plan—pray, invest, invite, share, and disciple—offers a clear path for every believer to participate in God’s multiplying work, with the promise that such faithfulness will transform both individuals and the church as a whole.

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Key Takeaways

1. The Power of One Faithful Life: The story of Edward Kimball reminds us that God often works through the quiet faithfulness of ordinary people. You may never see the full impact of your obedience, but reaching just one person can set off a chain reaction that echoes through generations. God’s kingdom advances not only through the famous, but through the unseen acts of love and courage by everyday disciples.
2. Personal Evangelism Is Relational, Not Programmatic: Andrew’s example shows that evangelism is most powerful when it’s personal. Rather than relying on events or mass efforts, God calls us to invest in real relationships—seeking out the “one” He has placed in our lives. The question is not whether you can reach the multitudes, but whether you will be faithful to reach your one.
3. We Go in Christ’s Authority and Presence: The Great Commission is not a task we undertake in our own strength. Jesus sends us with His authority and promises to be with us always. When you step out to share your faith, you are backed by the power of heaven, and the results do not depend on your eloquence but on God’s Spirit working through you.
4. Evangelism Is an Urgent, Eternal Priority: The reality that people cannot believe unless they hear the gospel makes evangelism a matter of life and death. Like lifeboats at the Titanic, we have the means to rescue, but must choose to act rather than remain comfortable or afraid. Every believer has a pulpit—whether at work, home, or in the community—and is called to proclaim the good news where God has placed them.
5. Multiplication Is God’s Design for Growth: The plan is simple: Each one reach one, and then teach one. When every believer takes responsibility for one, the church moves from addition to multiplication, unleashing a movement that can reach the world. The journey doesn’t end at conversion; true discipleship means walking alongside others as they grow, ensuring that the DNA of the church is always “Disciples Making Disciples—One life at a time.”

Bible Study Guide

**Bible Study Discussion Guide: Disciples Making Disciples—One Life at a Time**

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### Bible Reading

- **John 1:40–42** (Andrew brings Peter to Jesus)
- **Matthew 28:18–20** (The Great Commission)
- **Romans 10:13–14** (“How will they hear without someone preaching to them?”)

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### Observation Questions

In John 1:40–42, what is the very first thing Andrew does after meeting Jesus? How does he go about it?
According to Matthew 28:18–20, what authority does Jesus claim before giving the Great Commission, and what promise does He make to His followers?
In Romans 10:13–14, what steps does Paul say are necessary for someone to be saved? What role does the “preacher” play?
The sermon shared the story of Edward Kimball and the chain reaction that followed. What ordinary action did Kimball take, and what were the results over time?

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### Interpretation Questions

Why might Andrew’s simple act of bringing his brother to Jesus be just as important as Peter’s later preaching to thousands? What does this say about the value of “small” acts of faithfulness?
The Great Commission is given to all believers, not just pastors or missionaries. What does it mean for an “ordinary” Christian to go in Christ’s authority and presence? How might this change someone’s confidence in sharing their faith?
Paul’s questions in Romans 10:14 highlight the urgency of evangelism. What are the consequences if believers remain silent? How does this challenge the idea that evangelism is just for a few “gifted” people?
The sermon described evangelism as relational, not programmatic. Why do personal relationships matter so much in sharing the gospel, according to both the Bible passages and the sermon stories?

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### Application Questions

The sermon challenges each person to identify “your one”—someone God has placed in your life to reach. Who comes to mind for you? What is one step you can take this week to pray for them by name?
Think about the five steps from the sermon: Pray, Invest, Invite, Share, and Disciple. Which of these steps feels most challenging for you personally, and why? What is one practical way you could take a step forward in that area?
The story of Edward Kimball shows that we may never see the full impact of our obedience. Has there been a time when you felt your efforts for God were small or unnoticed? How does this story encourage you to keep going?
The sermon compared evangelism to lifeboats at the Titanic—having the means to rescue but needing to act. Are there people in your life you’ve been hesitant to reach out to? What fears or excuses have held you back, and how can you surrender those to God?
Jesus promises to be with us always as we go and make disciples. How does remembering His presence change the way you think about sharing your faith? Can you recall a time when you sensed God helping you in a conversation about Jesus?
The sermon said, “Every believer has a pulpit.” Where is your pulpit—workplace, home, school, neighborhood? What is one way you can be more intentional about using your influence there for Christ?
Multiplication happens when each one reaches one. If everyone in our group committed to reaching and discipling just one person this year, what kind of impact could that have? How can we encourage and support each other in this mission?

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Sermon Quotes

Don’t ever underestimate the power of reaching just one. Behind every great evangelist is someone who reached them. Behind every testimony is someone who cared enough to share the gospel. Each One Reach One, until the whole world knows the One who reached for us.

Andrew may not have been famous, but he was faithful. God used him to bring someone to Christ who would change the world. The question is not whether you can reach the multitudes—who is your one?

When you share Christ, you’re not doing it in your own strength. You’re going in the authority of the risen, reigning Son of God. When you speak, heaven is backing you up. You may feel weak, but He is strong.

Evangelism is not about you having the perfect words. It’s about you pointing people to the perfect Savior. The pressure is not on you to save them—that’s God’s job. Your job simply starts with you sharing.

Evangelism is not just a church activity, it’s an eternal priority. Souls hang in the balance. The moment we forget that, we’ve forgotten the very reason we exist.

Every believer is a preacher in the sense that every believer is called to proclaim the gospel. Your pulpit may be your workplace, your classroom, your neighborhood, or your dinner table.

Our goal isn’t just converts—it’s disciples who make disciples, until multiplication becomes our church’s culture and mission. Salvation is a moment, but discipleship is a journey.

People aren’t saved because of your kindness or your good example. They’re saved because they hear and believe the gospel of Jesus Christ. Tell them what Jesus did for you, and what He can do for them.

Addition is good, but multiplication is God’s plan. If each one of us will reach one, and then teach one, we will see multiplication, transformation, and become Disciples Making Disciples—One life at a time.

We will not be silent. We will not be comfortable. We will not sit idly by while people slip into eternity without Christ. We will rise up, step out, and become Disciples who make Disciples—for the glory of God.

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