01. You Cannot Build Without Tools
You Cannot Build Without Tools
Ephesians 4:11-12
Imagine sending a carpenter to a construction site without a hammer, saw, tape measure, or level.
He may have passion.
He may understand the importance of the work.
He may genuinely want to build.
But without tools, his desire will not become a finished house.
Could this be why so many believers want to make disciples, but never begin?
Called, but Not Equipped
Jesus commanded every believer to make disciples.
Yet if someone approached the average Christian today and said:
“Will you disciple me?”
Many would not know what to do next.
They might invite that person to church.
They might recommend a book.
They might tell them to listen to a sermon.
But if they were meeting again tomorrow, would they know how to help that person follow Jesus, obey His commands, and begin discipling someone else?
Paul explained the responsibility of church leaders:
“He gave some to be apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, shepherds and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, to the work of serving, to the building up of the body of Christ.”
Ephesians 4:11-12 WEB
Church leaders are not called to perform all the ministry themselves.
They are called to equip God’s people to do the ministry.
The church was never intended to be an audience watching a few gifted people serve.
It was designed to be an equipped body in which every believer participates in the mission of Jesus.
What Is in Your Discipleship Tool Pouch?
A skilled worker carries the right tools for the work.
A disciple-maker should too.
Not complicated programs.
Not tools that require years of theological education.
Simple, biblical, reproducible tools that ordinary believers can use anywhere.
Your discipleship tool pouch should help you:
Start spiritual conversations.
Share your testimony.
Clearly communicate the gospel.
Tell Bible stories.
Lead a Discovery Bible Study.
Help someone obey what Jesus teaches.
Pray for people who are far from God.
Identify a person of peace.
Train a new believer to disciple someone else.
Multiply disciples, leaders, churches, and movements.
Tools do not replace the Holy Spirit.
They help us cooperate with what the Holy Spirit is already doing.
A tool is only useful when someone takes it out of the pouch and uses it.
You can attend conferences about disciple-making.
You can read books about movements.
You can admire the tools others are using.
But eventually, you must pick up a tool, find a person, and begin.
One Practical Tool in Every Article
Throughout this series, I will place one practical disciple-making tool into your hands in every article.
I will explain:
What the tool is.
Why it matters.
How to use it.
Who you can use it with.
How it can help ordinary believers multiply disciples.
You will not need a title, a platform, or a ministry position.
You will only need a willingness to obey Jesus and use what you receive.
Do not merely collect these tools.
Practice them.
Teach them to someone else.
Put them into the hands of new believers immediately.
The goal is not to fill your tool pouch with information.
The goal is to equip you to make disciples who can make disciples.
Here is the question that should challenge every follower of Jesus:
If someone asked you to disciple them today, would you know what to do tomorrow?
If your answer is no, do not allow shame to stop you.
Let it awaken you.
Open your tool pouch.
Let’s begin building.
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