It takes time. To do it right, you need to be influencing a disciple’s life 24/7 like Jesus did. 16 waking hours a day x 3 years = 15,000 hours.

It takes years. Disciples change slowly and make lots of mistakes before they start getting it right. And they may never leave your life.

It takes trust. When you ask your disciple to change her behavior and you don’t have an answer she likes for “Why?” She still has to trust you.

It takes modeling. A thousand sermons don’t show you how to change your behavior, but if the behavior can be demonstrated, it answers the “How?” question.

It takes confrontation. In our natural fleshly state, our behavior is selfish; to help change it, disciplers must confront it and ask for something different.

It takes availability. Discipling another person is an inconvenient task. It intrudes on your regular life and often robs you of your privacy.

It takes vulnerability. As your disciple sees you live your life out before her, she see your flaws. Those flaws give her permission to fail.

It takes care. You can’t do this clinically. Sometimes you have to hug and kiss disciples. You have to accept them in their messed up state.

It takes listening. The only way that you can help a disciple work through the need for change is by listening.

It takes wisdom. You’re dealing with a person’s life here. The counsel you give in tough situations may be hard to hear and implement.

It takes confidentiality. Your disciple’s issues are a matter between the two of you. Share it elsewhere without permission and you blow trust.

It takes vision. You have to see your disciple not as they are, but in your mind’s eye fully developed.