My wife recently reached a sobering chapter in Daughter of Destiny, the biography of Kathryn Kuhlman. She was bewildered. How could a woman with such a profound, intimate relationship with the Holy Spirit make a marital mistake that nearly crushed her ministry?
My answer was simple: “That is why we need discipleship.”
We often believe that our private pursuit of God is enough. But even the most anointed among us have blind spots. Consider the Apostle Paul. He met Jesus in a literal blinding light on the road to Damascus. Yet, when he asked for direction, Jesus didn’t give him a map; He gave him a name: Ananias. Can you imagine? Paul was face-to-face with the Creator, yet he was sent to a fellow man to unlock his destiny. That is the divine necessity of discipleship.
In this 21st century, we have fallen into a trap where we claim great ministers as “spiritual fathers” because we listen to their podcasts or follow them on social media. But if that person doesn’t know your name, hasn’t seen your struggles, and can’t look you in the eye to say “You are wrong,” they are not your discipler. They are your teacher. There is a massive difference.
Discipleship requires three things: openness, availability, and submission. As 1 Peter 5:5 says, “Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder.” It is painful to watch young, gifted believers stumble over “tiny” mistakes that a seasoned elder could have spotted a mile away.
This year, don’t just find a message to listen to. Find a life to submit to.
AND SO: If this message resonates with you and you are ready to move from being a “distant listener” to a “disciplined follower,” I invite you to join us for our MINISTERIAL LEADERSHIP & DISCIPLESHIP TRAINING (MLDT) starting on 22–26 January, 2026. This isn’t merely a seminar/conference; it’s a practical environment designed to foster the exact relationships we’ve discussed today.
To register, click here.
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