Zaul,* an Indonesian movement leader, partners with Bret,* a BEYOND movement servant.

During COVID, Zaul has been visiting a local prison. There he formed relationships with some radical Muslims and sought to bring God’s truth and love to them. As a result, a number of these men began to study God’s Word and eventually bowed to the sovereignty of our Heavenly Father. One of the men, Berkah,* wrote a letter to his whole family telling them of this great change in his life. He asked Zaul to deliver the letter to them personally.

Even though Zaul is comfortable in many settings, he was very nervous about delivering the letter. Nevertheless, he stayed close as Berkah’s family read it.

After they had finished reading, they asked if Zaul was a spiritual leader. “Yes,” he responded. Then they asked if he would be willing to more deeply discuss the things their son expressed.

“No,” Zaul responded. “But your son would be happy to walk with you as you read from the Holy Book.”

By handing the responsibility and privilege of sharing the gospel over to Berkah, Zaul is empowering a new disciple to immediately become a disciple-maker. This key component allows for the rapid multiplication of new believers in new households and regions.

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One of the most beautiful aspects of working toward movements of disciples who make disciples (a Disciple Making Movement) is the joy of taking other believers back to the Word to rediscover God’s heart and vision. All too often, the meaning and significance of Scripture get taken for granted, simply overlooked, or never applied.

But what a joy to open the Word with sincere brothers and sisters and ask, “What does God want to tell me through this Scripture, and how will I obey?” Those simple questions — those remarkable thoughts — have changed many lives already!  

Take, for example, the simple verse 2 Timothy 2:2: “And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.” (NIV)

What do you notice about that verse?  Did you catch the number of people mentioned at each step along the way: “of many witnesses . . . people. . . others”? They are all groups!  What does that indicate? Have we overlooked something important about discipleship?  What would happen if we focused on discipling groups rather than individuals? 

We are inspired and given new ideas when we go to God with his Word and then purposefully understand, apply, and obey it!

Disciple-makers Rafi* and Nabila* regularly travel by motorbike through thick jungle to the home of an elderly Muslim couple. They first met Iqbal* and Tasya* while passing out food supplies at the start of the pandemic.

Since then, Rafi and Nabila have made the two-hour trek several times to visit the welcoming couple. Though they speak different dialects, they share who Jesus is through Bible stories of His power over nature, sin, and death. Then the couples discuss what is revealed about God in the Word.

During their latest visit, Rafi and Nabila shared stories from the Gospel of Mark about Jesus’ ability to heal, and His power and authority over demons. As a result, Iqbal and Tasya said they believed that Jesus had the power to protect them from evil spirits. Furthermore, they wanted to let go of the amulets they had trusted in for protection.

So they burned the amulets, and Iqbal and Tasya prayed on their own with their beginners’ understanding  — huge steps toward becoming disciples of Jesus!

Pray that our team can find a translation of the Bible in this couple’s heart language. And join us as we pray: “May the God of hope fill [Iqbal and Tasya] with all joy and peace as [they] trust in him, so that [they] may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13)

*pseudonym

Joyo and Anita, national partners of James and Sharon, were ready to move. Together the couple had sought the Lord on where they might live to be most effective in making multiplying disciples. And the Lord had answered.

They felt led to move to a new area and start a ministry that would open the region to the gospel for the first time. By seeking the Lord themselves, the couple was honored and able to “own” the discovery that the Holy Spirit had given them. 

Through persons of peace, Anita has since started four groups that are using the Discovery Bible Study method. And a second generation of seekers has already been formed!

This is a key component of disciple-making movements: Only when leaders like James and Sharon humble themselves, trust the Father, and fully release younger disciples to follow the direction of the Holy Spirit can we see the plan and the fruit the Father has in mind. 

As Jesus taught in Matthew 16:24, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me.” James and Sharon have seen it first-hand, “Death to self and submission to life in Christ is always a great idea.” 

*pseudonym