Discussion Questions
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Which part of the PRAY acrostic is easiest for you? Which is the most challenging? Identify practical ways you can incorporate at least one of these best practices into your ministry.
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As an introvert, I struggle with the relational part of P.R.A.Y. I not only have trouble connecting to others, but I also need to trust the Holy Spirit to use my poor attempts at discipleship for God’s ultimate glory ….
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Prayer seems easiest for me because it prepares our hearts and those we shall encounter later. It also means we rely on divine help to do our tasks.
Relation is the most challenging part for me because I find difficulty in developing relationships with some individuals on various levels, and I don’t have patience in attending to those with strange and unbecoming behavior.
However, forming a connection is crucial for discipleship. I will improve on how to connect with others.
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Being available I believe is the most important easiest aspect to apply, as Jesus is always open and welcomes us, We should also take that same approach as we are called to serve his people.
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Prayer is the easiest part for me, because everything I do begins and ends there. The most challenging part is being available fully with time. I can incorporate flexibility into my ministry by making current employment responsibilities remote; freeing up more time during each week to serve in this capacity.
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1.Praying starting and ending, being relational, yielding to the Holy Spirit working and the results.
2. Being available (not that I wouldn’t, but I have to adjust some boundaries I’ve created).
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Explain, in your own words, the importance of discipleship.
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It is pouring out to another that which God has poured into me
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Discipleship is important because there is a Kingdom Agenda that believers have been commissioned to “Go”. Interestingly, I was connected to a Chaplain for years providing support to a WNBA team and being a former athlete, I just saw it as support her since we were co-workers. I knew I loved supporting her and felt humbled to be in that space with her however, it was not until recently (within the last three (3)) that I realized the depth of it. While on a WNBA Chaplain’s retreat in San Antonio, Pastor Ed called us down for prayer calling our “Sports Missionaries”.
I was amazed at how my heart reacted to hearing that. I said to myself “Wow, that’s the truth”. Now I am on a path to be more effective and this lesson is a great start.
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In Matthew 28, Jesus calls us to make disciples, teaching them to obey all the commands that He had given. Because of what Jesus has done in my life, I want to walk with others…new believers and non-believers…to show them the love of Jesus and help them grow in relationship with Jesus or see a need for one.
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Discipleship provides an opportunity to demonstrate Christ’s love to the players and to show them they are more than an athlete. To be praying for them, to be available, and look for ways to connect with them. If they don’t have a personal relationship with Jesus then I want to clearly and lovingly share the gospel, so they have that opportunity for a personal relationship with Jesus, and then I leave the results to the Holy Spirit.