Core scripture: “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)

Message: It all started so innocently.  I had no idea what I was doing, but I felt called to disciple a couple of graduating seniors that volunteered with me on Wednesday nights in our church’s youth group.  As I was pitching the idea to them, another 19-year-old volunteer happened to be listening in.  Before I knew it, all three of them agreed to do a Bible study with me over 2 Timothy.

It was a rocky start when we first met in my family room after school.  One of the seniors arrived having read 1 Timothy chapter 1, not 2 Timothy chapter 1, and it took a while for us to be open with each other.  However, once we finished up 2 Timothy, we decided to share our testimonies to get real with each other.  Before we knew it, we God was helping us take off.

We met through quarantine over Zoom, and by summer we had finished 2 Timothy, shared our testimonies, and begun a study over Galatians.  Suddenly, God stepped in to do something remarkable.  Right as I was beginning my summer FCA training which emphasized the importance of multiplying disciples, the 19-year-old approached me.

“Hey, Clint, I was thinking about starting my own Bible study with my friends from Manhattan,” he announced.  “We always hang out, but we never get real with each other.  We’re meeting Sunday night to get something started.”

I was blown away!  The Holy Spirit began to stir inside me.  I knew I had to prepare him for this.

“Wow, that is awesome,” I said.  “What would you think about leading our group next week to get yourself ready?”

“For sure!”

He always says that.  For sure.  Sometimes he’ll say, “Bet!”  Or, “Dope!”  I always remind him that to me dope means drugs.  I may never understand their lingo, but I clearly understood what God was doing.  He was multiplying!

Fast forward to a week later.  My young friend dominated leading discussion.  We had never gotten so deep!  As we wrapped it up, I nodded to one of the seniors.  “You’re on deck to lead next week, brother.”  I then pointed to the other senior.  “You’re in the hole.”  God was doing something amazing!

The next two weeks were just as special.  Each of the seniors took charge, and one of them informed me he was starting his own Bible study group—get this—with his best friend, another believer, and an atheist who was seeking something more in life.  They have begun meeting weekly as well.

I am in awe of what the Lord is doing through us all.  It saddens me that today may be the last time we meet.  The 19-year-old had to bow out due to a new summer job he landed, and one of the graduating seniors has a full summer schedule before leaving for college in the fall.  I may take the lone graduating senior off for another study, one-on-one.  Who knows.

This reminds me of Jesus when He says, “For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them” (Matthew 18:20).  The more the merrier.  Things are always better in community.  Nothing against that last man standing, but it will never be the same.

Here is the amazing thing … God is not done yet.  I can only wonder what He has up His sleeve now.  Is that atheist going to come to Christ?  Will one of the kids going to school in Manhattan be inspired to take a Bible study to his fraternity?  Will another Bible study be started with that last graduating senior amongst the FCA students he volunteers with?

This is only the beginning!

Challenge: Are you doing your job to multiply disciples?  Find some disciples worth multiplying, take them under your wing, and launch them forward to do the same.

Other scripture: “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil.  For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!  Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone?  And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12)

Just for fun: My two sons had never played a round of golf—until last Thursday.  Getting through nine holes on the Overland Park Par 3 course in sweltering humidity was exhausting nonetheless, but we survived.  To reward their perseverance, we ended up at Culver’s following.  My oldest son looked at me and said, “Dad, the best part about golf is the ice cream!”  Amen to that!

Prayer: Lord, may we multiply disciples passionately for Your glory.  Amen.