Go . . . Make Disciples - WHY MAKING DISCIPLES REQUIRES PATIENCE

Even if your ministry seems unproductive, do not give up hope of potential disciples.  Remember that Jesus likened disciple-making to fishing. Fishermen may spend may  hours before they catch any fish.  Often they work late at night or early in the morning, and sometimes they have to sail long distances.  (Luke  5:5)  In like manner some disciple-makers spend many hours patiently  "fishing" at different times and various locations. Why?  To improve their chances of meeting people.  Those who put in extra efforts are often rewarded  by meeting people who are interested in our message. Could you try preaching at a time of day you are more likely to meeting people or at a location where you are more likely to find them? - Read  2 TIMOTHY 4:1, 2. 

Why does conducting Bible studies require patience?  One reason is that we need to do more than help the student come to know and love the doctrines found in the Bible.  We need to help the student come to know and love the Author  of the Bible, Jehovah. And in addition to teaching a student what Jesus requires of his disciples, we need to help the student come to know how to live as a true Christian. We must patiently assist him as he struggles to put Bible principles into practice. Some are able to change their thinking and habits in just a few months, others take longer. 

 A missionary in Peru had an experience that illustrates the benefit of being patient.  "I had studied two books with a Bible student name Raul," says the missionary. "But he still faced serious challenges in his life. He had a stormy marriage, used foul language, and had children who found it difficult to respect him. He came to the meetings regularly, so I continued visiting him to help him and his family. More than three years after I met him, he qualified for baptism." 

Jesus told us to "go . . . make disciples of people of all the nations." To fulfill that commission, we often have to speak with people whose way of thinking is very different from our own, including those who do not belong to any religious organization or who may not believe that God exists. The next article considers how we can present the good news to people with different backgr0unds. 

Next time: Reaching the Hearts of Non-Religions People

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