Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well. I Thessalonians 2:8

Essence: the intrinsic nature or indispensable quality of something, especially something abstract, that determines its character. - Dr Marc B. Cooper

John Wimber wrote in 1994, “God is still making disciples and astonishing the world by using unschooled ordinary men (Acts 4:13) like you and me to make His name famous throughout the earth.”

Glenn Schroder wrote: ”I have realized that what I do and who I am has a far greater impact on people than anything I teach or say, and the informal arena in which discipleship takes place has greater impact than the formal arena.”

John Wimber wrote:  ”One of the best things we can do in discipleship is simply take people with us. As often as possible, I take one moe of our young leaders with me to pray for people. This presents opportunity for us to talk and for me to model the kingdom.”

“The most important thing we can do in the context of discipleship is to give away what we have. 

“Jesus used a show, tell, deploy and supervise method of training.” After calling disciples, he took them with him, and then he commissioned, empowered, instructed and sent them out to do the same things (Matt 10:5-8).

The eleven also trained a second generation of disciples, including Stephen. We must remember that the same authority given to those is available to us. 

“Freely we have received, now freely we must give.”

So this is one of my goals for the new year – to give away anything God has given me – wherever I am – Chicago, India, Sri Lanka, or anywhere else He leads me – Mexico, Istanbul, etc.

I also want to love my neighbors in such a way that I am also giving away to them who I am and what God has given me. 

So my prayer is also for you to do the same by God’s grace – let’s multiply ourselves and make disciples who make disciples! In Jesus’ name.