Either way - here's what I was thinking this am as I attacked my soil for the first time at the (rented) house.
When discipling (which is just a fancy word for pouring into someone who may be younger than you or younger in their faith than you) there are some things we can learn from our gardens.
STEP 1: Attack the soil.
This does not mean attack the person. This is God 's work and He usually does this before that person ever meets you - this is when He tears their world upside down. Sometimes gently with his hands He'll turn the soil over...sometimes He rips it apart with a hoe. Either way God prepares the person's heart for what's to come.
STEP 2: Clean the soil
Also God's work, He is the one who cleans us and makes us new. However, we can come alongside others and help point out where the roots of sin (anger, bitterness, lust, greed, pride, etc) are affecting that person's life.
Deut. 29:18b make sure there is no root among you that produces bitter poison.
Roots run deep and while they make look shallow on the surface, often they are tangled and deep, choking the joy that God offers us in our new abundant life.
Matthew 13:22 The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful.
Sometimes they are not easy to pull out alone. We can also get our hands dirty and fight against these roots with that person, teaching them to find their strength in God and to trust in Him daily to wage war against these things.
STEP 3: Plant the seed!
Speak truth!!
Zechariah 8:16 These are the things you are to do: Speak the truth to each other, and render true and sound judgment in your courts,” declares the LORD.
STEP 4: Give the plant some love.
Not all gardeners do this but I like to add some Miracle Gro because I'm not the best gardener. Not every person disciples with love but it's necessary because we're all sinners and in need of forgiveness. If you do not love and encourage the person you're with you will appear condescending and although your words may be true, they may not be heard. However we are commanded to love one another and that this directly reflects our love for God. If you want to disciple, you must love.
STEP 5: Hope for the best
Maybe more experienced gardeners skip this step but as I seem to have a black thumb I know that I can do as much as I can and then leave the rest to the sun and the soil. I can't control the growth of others but I can entrust them to God. This is through prayer. Pray pray pray.
1 Cor 3:7 So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.
STEP 6: DON'T NEGLECT YOUR GARDEN
Discipling (living life with others), like gardening, isn't a one time thing. It's a continual caring for process. If you could plant it and forget it, well then it wouldn't be community. You must water and weed your plants regularly for them to grow, just like you must seek relationship with this person regularly. This is through accountability, continual truth and prayer, encouragement, rebuke, and time. Hopefully in time you with both see fruit!
Gal 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
