Many Christ followers experience more guilt than success when it comes to Jesus’ Great Commission (Matthew 28:19). Especially the part about, “Go and make disciples.” Don’t stop reading here. I’m not letting us off the hook, but I’ll not make you more guilty by having brought the subject up.

ONE MORE THING?

Jesus didn’t ask us to “work one more thing” into our busyness. He didn’t hope we would volunteer if we wanted to. No. He gave a command. When we decide to follow Jesus Christ, we accept his eternal saving grace into our spiritual DNA. We have a new life because of him. From here into eternity. So why do so many of us feel such failure in sharing something so important as this?

In his book Mentor Like Jesus, Regi Campbell starts us off by saying, “Life doesn’t happen in church. Church can help prepare us for life—but life happens at home, at work, on vacation, in our neighborhoods.

“If we’re going to share a ‘piece of our map’ with the next generation, for their benefit, then we must be on the road with them, doing life together. Life’s lessons are taught in the context of everyday life, in everyday situations, through the wisdom of God planted and nurtured in the everyday lived of his mature kids.”

TELLING THEM—OR MAKING THEM

When it comes to “making disciples,” the reality is, Jesus didn’t say, “tell” them. He said, “make” them. In other words, “Start the conversation. Build a relationship. Engage in the holy adventure of investing more time in fewer people.” Just like Jesus.

He didn’t leave us a success formula or an impossible task. Nothing is worse than to be handed a job you aren’t suited for, one in which you are bound to fail. Jesus would never do that. He gives this command with an expectation that “making disciples” will be our normal lifestyle.

We have been tricked into believing making disciples is too hard, too presumptuous, someone else’s responsibility. Like Moses, we say, “O my Lord, I am not…eloquent…I am slow of speech and slow of tongue…please send anyone else whom you wish to send!” (Ex 4:10,13). (It was following this pathetic plea that the Lord became angry with Moses. Just sayin’.)

LISTEN—AND ASK

The truth is, “making disciples,” whether it’s our children, parents, grandchildren, neighbors, co-workers, students on campus, business clients, or just about anybody, is often more about “listening” than “telling.” More about asking good questions than having all the answers. It’s about stirring the glowing embers of faith and value in our peers. And its about leaving the Light on for the next generations.

So, in 2019, wherever and with whomever you go, join me in honing our “listening” skills. If we listen well, if we ask good questions, opportunities for meaningful, purpose-filled sharing is certain to follow. You are never too old to begin again. Talking with you, and you listening well to them, can be the most important thing in someone’s life.

The lie is you are too old. Nobody wants to talk with you anymore. The lie is true only if your talk is all about you and not about them. The key? It’s simple. Ask the Holy Spirit to go with you. Listen well. Ask good questions.

I’m listening. So are others. Go ahead. Start the conversation on January 1. Keep it going everyday after.

And see God work!