The word that we most commonly translate as “disciple” is the Greek word “matheteis”. At the most basic level, it just means “learner”. Often times a matheteis was a particular kind of learner, someone who was in a sort of apprenticeship program, but not always.
I think that unfortunately, sometimes Christians don’t feel like they have much to teach though. This shouldn’t always be the case. You probably know more than you give yourself credit for. You probably know at least the Bible readings that show up regularly on Sunday, you might even know some good hymns that sum up a part of the faith. You likely know your own story of faith, the things that you have wrestled with and come back out knowing a bit about. All of those things are valuable knowledge and experience to the people around you. There’s no need to sell yourself short. You have everything you need to help someone learn.
But if you the knowledge, how do you get to a place where people will want to learn from you? This is a more difficult question. It is one that I think a counterintuitive piece of advice might help with. Don’t try to teach, try to learn.
Maybe the best way for you to make a disciple is to become one yourself. If you do, you’ll actually be making a disciple of yourself and you’ll be helping someone else with that second more difficult question because you will provide them an opportunity – YOU.
Who do you know who might know the Scriptures? Who do you know who might have some insight into Christian living? Who do you know who has gone through something that you could learn from? Make an appointment with them. Take them to lunch and offer to pick up the check at the end. Ask them to share how their connection with God has helped them.
When you do that, you’ll be making yourself a disciple, you’ll be making them a disciple maker, and you’ll be fulfilling the great commission ….at least in a round about way for now.