Adulthood #5 — Being Releasing – Investing in Others
As we continue exploring the adult stage of discipleship, we discover that spiritual maturity is never an end in itself. God's intention is not simply that we become mature followers of Jesus, but that we become people who intentionally invest in the lives of others. Mature disciples become spiritual parents.
There is a beautiful progression throughout the discipleship journey.
An infant can do nothing for themselves.
A child receives.
An adolescent establishes themselves.
An adult reproduces.
This is the principle of spiritual parenthood. Just as healthy families naturally nurture the next generation, healthy disciples naturally invest in those who are following behind them. Spiritual adulthood is not measured only by personal maturity but also by the willingness to help others grow into maturity in Christ.
Everything God has done in our lives becomes part of what we offer to others. The lessons we have learned through Scripture, the wisdom gained through experience, the victories of faith, the failures that have humbled us, the trials through which God has carried us, the sin He has helped us overcome, the joys we have celebrated, and the sorrows we have endured—all become part of the tapestry God uses to strengthen those we are discipling.
None of these experiences are wasted. God graciously redeems them so they become a source of encouragement, wisdom, and hope for others.
Adult disciples therefore invest naturally in people. They encourage faith. They mentor believers. They make disciples. They create space for others to discover their gifts and calling. Most importantly, they delight in releasing those they disciple to go further and faster than they themselves have gone, knowing that God's Kingdom advances as each generation stands on the shoulders of those who have gone before.
The Apostle Paul captured this principle when he wrote to Timothy:
"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." 2 Timothy 2:2
Notice the pattern. Paul invested in Timothy. Timothy was to entrust the Gospel to faithful people. Those faithful people would then teach others. Discipleship was never intended to stop with one generation. The Gospel advances as mature disciples intentionally entrust their lives and their teaching to others who will faithfully continue the work.
This is exactly what we see in the life of Jesus.
Jesus was deeply intentional and profoundly relational in the way He made disciples. While He ministered to the crowds, He invested deeply in a smaller number. John enjoyed a particularly close relationship with Jesus. Peter, James, and John shared significant moments of His ministry. The Twelve walked closely with Him throughout His public ministry, while the Seventy were also sent out to learn by participating in His mission. Jesus understood that lasting Kingdom impact comes through intentionally developing people.
When Jesus called His first disciples in Matthew 4:18–22, He was very clear about His purpose for them. He said, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of people." From the very beginning, Jesus knew what He intended to do in their lives. He would not simply gather followers; He would intentionally form them into disciple-makers. This "making" would be a deliberate process of relationship, teaching, example, encouragement, correction, and release. Jesus' invitation reminds us that discipleship has always been about more than our own spiritual growth. We are transformed so that we might help others encounter and follow Christ. Being "fishers of people" points us beyond ourselves and towards investing our lives in others for the sake of God's Kingdom.
Many disciple-making ministries have sought to understand this pattern. One helpful framework (from Discipology) describes Jesus' three years of public ministry as progressing through Time, Teaching, and Tactics. First, Jesus simply spent time with His disciples, allowing relationship to develop. Then He intentionally taught and formed them. Finally, He released them to participate in His mission. While there are many faithful approaches to making disciples, they all recognise that transformation happens best through intentional investment in relationships.
Adult disciples therefore ask a different question from those in earlier stages of discipleship. Rather than asking, "How am I growing?" they increasingly ask, "Who am I helping become more like Jesus?"
This is the evidence of spiritual adulthood. The measure of maturity is not only what Christ has done in us, but also what Christ is now doing through us as we intentionally invest in others. Those who have been intentionally formed by Jesus become people who intentionally help form others.
The Kingdom of God has always advanced one disciple making another disciple. Every mature believer has received from someone else, and every mature believer is invited to pass that same gift on to others. This is the privilege of spiritual parenthood.
Reflection Questions
Who has God used to invest in my spiritual growth, and what have I learned from them?
Who am I intentionally helping become more like Jesus?
What experiences from my own journey could encourage or strengthen someone who is following behind me?
Am I creating opportunities for others to grow, serve, and flourish, or am I unintentionally holding them back?
What one intentional step could I take this week to invest in another person's discipleship?
Closing Prayer
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for the people You have placed in my life who have encouraged me, taught me, prayed for me, and helped me grow in my faith (why not name them individually now and prayer a blessing over them). Thank You that none of my experiences are wasted, but that You redeem them to become a blessing to others.
Teach me to become a faithful spiritual parent. Give me a heart that willingly invest in others with patience, humility, generosity, and love. Help me not to seek recognition for myself but to rejoice as others grow stronger in Christ.
Show me who You are inviting me to encourage, mentor, disciple, and release into the purposes You have prepared for them. May I faithfully entrust to others the truth of the Gospel and the life You have formed within me.
May Your Kingdom continue to multiply through lives that are fully surrendered to You.
In Jesus' name. Amen.
Next Step
Prayerfully identify one person God may be inviting you to intentionally invest in over the coming months. Reach out to them this week. Invite them for a coffee, a meal, or a conversation. Listen to their journey, encourage their faith, and begin praying regularly for them. Ask God to help you become someone who not only follows Jesus faithfully but also helps others follow Him more closely.
This blog was written by Richard Botta.
