The 1-3-12-72 Discipleship Model
We all interact with people in many different ways and on many different levels.
At Legacy, we talk a lot about, as disciples of Jesus, trying to wear your “spiritual goggles” throughout the day - in other words, being aware of how God is leading you to engage with those who cross your path on a day to day basis.
Here is a look at some different levels of interaction with people that Jesus had and how that could apply to our lives as disciples of Jesus who are trying to make disciples who make disciples. What are some ways that we can look at making a difference at every level?
We start the discussion with the ones who are the “furthest out” all the way to the one who is the closest:
The lost crowd of people who crossed the path of Jesus at some point
These are people in your broader circle who don’t know Jesus that you’re trying to be aware of & praying for and trying to pursue a friendship with on some level - maybe even just on social media at first.
The “lost –but-seeking” people who followed Jesus around
These are people who God has shown you (when you’re wearing your “spiritual goggles”) who respond when you intentionally initiate with them - often, these are people who are in a transition or time of need who are more open to looking at the things of God or having a spiritual discussion.
The lost people that Jesus had deeper conversations with
If we are open to it, God will bring us a few people at a time to engage with and go deeper - these can be neighbors, co-workers, friends that you reconnect with, family members, or “divine appointments”.
The 72 - “After this, the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. He told them, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field’.” Luke 10:1-2
These are followers of Jesus who you know and are praying for - that they would get more involved in the great commission. The workers are few. As disciple makers we are always looking to further God’s Kingdom by inviting other believers to become disciples who make disciples.
The 12 - The twelve apostles were the disciples that Jesus invited into his inner circle. This was his small group that He invested in and counted on to carry on the work after He was gone.
It’s probably not twelve, but this is your discipleship group that you are investing in - mostly in the group setting - not necessarily in regular one-on-ones. Ideally, these disciples should be eager to learn, willing to be obedient to what God tells them, engaged with others both in the world and in the body of Christ, desiring to grow in character, and open to making other disciples.
The 3 - Peter, James, and John were the only ones that Jesus invited onto the mountain for the “Transfiguration”. These were his closest brothers and the leaders of the group that He confided in and counted on the most.
Ask the Lord to give you two or three people that would be your “3”. These are ones that you prioritize meeting with one-on-one outside of the group. They help you in leadership and you lean on them as you lead the rest of the group. These must be people who are “F.A.T.” - faithful, available, and teachable, as well as exhibiting the characteristics of disciples mentioned above in “The 12”.
The 1 - Of the three, was this Peter (Jesus called him the Rock) or was it John (self described as “the one whom Jesus loves”) or was it James? We don’t really know for sure but maybe Jesus had one above all the rest that he put as his highest priority.
For you, maybe the Lord will put one person on your heart to pour into and disciple for a year (or some designated period of time). What a special privilege it is to “reproduce” yourself in this way. For Paul, this was Timothy. In 1 Corinthians 4:17 he writes, “That’s why I’ve sent my dear son Timothy, whom I love. He is faithful to the Lord and will remind you of how I conduct myself as one who lives in union with Jesus…”