10. Give Someone Else a Turn
Article 10
Give Someone Else a Turn
Article 10
Someone at your table may be ready to lead, if you will give them a turn.
You have invited them into your home. You have listened to their story. You have opened the Bible together.
Now comes a step that can be surprisingly difficult.
Let someone else lead.
Perhaps you enjoy guiding the conversation. Perhaps everyone looks to you for answers. Perhaps you worry that someone else will miss an important point.
But if you do everything, what are the others learning to do?
The people you disciple need opportunities to practice what you have been showing them.
Jesus gave His disciples something to do
In Luke 9:1-6, Jesus sent the Twelve to proclaim God’s kingdom and heal the sick.
They had watched Him. They had listened to Him. Now they would go.
They still had much to learn. Later in that same chapter, we see their struggles with faith, pride, and understanding.
Yet Jesus gave them responsibility.
He was preparing people who would carry His work forward.
We need to do the same.
Start with one small responsibility
Giving someone a turn does not mean handing them everything and walking away.
It might sound like this:
“Would you lead our opening prayer next week?”
“Would you read the passage and invite someone to retell it?”
“Would you ask what this story teaches us about Jesus?”
“Would you help us talk about what we will obey and who we will share it with?”
Choose something simple. Show them how. Prepare together. Then let them try.
Afterward, ask:
“What went well?”
“What was difficult?”
“What would you do differently next time?”
Encourage them with something specific you noticed.
Confidence often grows after someone takes a step, with a little help beside them.
Give them room to learn
Their first attempt may feel awkward.
They may ask a question differently than you would. They may leave a longer silence. They may need help finding their place.
Resist the urge to take over at the first hesitation.
Give people time to think. Let them discover that they can contribute.
If something needs correcting, return to the passage together: “Where do we see that in the story?”
Help them learn to depend on Scripture and the Holy Spirit as they lead.
Your patience can help someone find the courage to try again.
Pass on something they can pass on
In 2 Timothy 2:2, Paul instructed Timothy to entrust what he had learned to faithful people who would be able to teach others.
Look at the generations: Paul, Timothy, faithful people, others.
That is why simplicity matters.
When someone helps lead a Bible discovery in your home, they can begin to imagine doing the same with their own family or friends.
“I could ask those questions.”
“I could gather a few people.”
“I could help someone else do this.”
Every turn you give someone can help prepare them to serve people you may never meet.
Your next step
Before your next gathering, choose one person.
Ask them to lead one part. Prepare with them beforehand, and encourage them afterward.
Then help them take another step.
As we pray and work toward the Great Commission vision for 2033, we need ordinary believers who can help others follow Jesus.
Someone at your table could become one of those people.
Give them a turn.
You may be helping a future disciple-maker take their first step.
Want to go further?
Take the ten Zúme lessons. My teaching series will help you practice simple ways to follow Jesus, make disciples, and train others to do the same. Contact me for the lesson link.
Let’s connect. If you would like help getting started or coaching as you help others grow, message me. I would be glad to walk alongside you.
Help encourage disciple-makers. Your gift would be tax deductible and overseen by Northside Christian Church, our sending church. There are many we coach that could use encouragement in small ways to accomplish great things.
Terry Ruff
DMM Catalyst & Zúme Trainer | Missionary at Northside Christian Church
Watch on YouTube: 10. Give Someone Else a Turn · Series Playlist
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