Sharpening Vision and Goals
With a clear vision, a disciple of Christ will be motivated to “fight the good fight” (2 Timothy 4:7) and live out the calling God has placed on their life. Paul said, “Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13-14). Like Paul, we all need a compelling vision. “Without a vision, the people perish” (Proverbs 29:18).
God has placed inside every believer a goal or desire to love God and to love others (the two Great Commandments). Questions you can ask them to help them discover what to do to move toward this goal include: “Are you spending regular time with the Lord?” “Do you have compassion for people?” “Who has God placed in your life that needs to hear the good news of Jesus?”
God has also given each believer a unique role in helping to fulfill the Great Commission. Because each Christian has different gifts and we all are different parts of the body of Christ, we all have different areas in which we can expand God’s kingdom. Some of us may be gifted at working with children, while others may be better suited for working with adults. While some people may be called to be pastors or missionaries, others may be called to support full-time laborers through prayer or finances. The following are some key questions to help develop a disciple’s vision for making disciples of all nations: “What are your dreams?” “What are your passions?”
In one of your very first discipleship appointments, set aside time to go over the “Developmental Questions” sheet on the next page. Ask them the questions while you are taking notes (which will help you plan what you want to do with them during the next year).
Also, have them take home the “Vision, Values and Goals” sheet and bring it back completed the next time you meet. As you are walking alongside them in their spiritual journey this next year, try to help them accomplish as many of their goals as you can. You will be a source of accountability in their lives as they grow to become more like Christ.
A MAJOR part of your discipleship time will be spent helping them with their spiritual needs. There will be times you will have to scrap everything else (evangelism training, etc.) so you can talk through their spiritual needs and character development. There are some verses for different character issues on the “Motivating People from the Word” sheets.