Recently I took my friend Hao Xu on a trip to Guatemala. He came to be mentored, but I didn’t want him to just watch while I preached. I let Hao teach in our meetings, and he prayed for many people. They were so excited that the Lord used a Chinese man to bring healing!
To effectively make disciples, you must empower them. Jesus didn’t just lecture His disciples. He invited Peter, James and John to pray with Him when He raised a girl from the dead (Mark 5:37). He gave His disciples authority over demons and sent them to preach (Mark 6:7). When He fed the 5,000, Jesus involved His disciples in the miracle. Andrew found the boy who had five loaves and two fish. Then Jesus blessed the food, broke it and gave it to the disciples to distribute (see Mark 6:41). They didn’t just watch. Give your disciples opportunity. Push them, encourage them, and empower them … and they will grow!