We all long to see our local chapters grow. We pray for packed dinner meetings, salvations, testimonies of transformed lives and a new generation of men and women passionate for Jesus. Yet often we wait for God to do something extraordinary while overlooking, intentional steps He is asking us to take today.
Throughout Scripture we see that God often begins with the faithful obedience of one person – Noah, Abraham, Moses, Esther, Ruth, the young boy who gave Jesus his 5 loaves and 2 fish, Andrew, Barnabas, Mary Magdeline, Paul, the list goes on.
None of these people knew the full impact their obedience would have. They simply said “yes” to God.
The same is true today. You may never fully realise what hangs on one invitation, one conversation, one prayer or one act of kindness. God delights in taking small acts of faith and using them to accomplish extraordinary things.
'The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.'" Matthew 13: 31-32
The mustard seed is tiny only about 1–2 millimetres in diameter, yet it grew into the largest of the common garden plants in Israel, often reaching 2–3 metres high.
Although not a tree in the botanical sense, it developed strong, woody stems with wide-spreading branches where birds could perch and find shelter.
Unlike the majestic cedar, a symbol of strength and power, Jesus chose the mustard plant it is ordinary, common and found almost everywhere. It readily self-seeded and spread across the surrounding ground, producing a broad, flourishing plant from something that seemed insignificant.
Jesus deliberately chose this familiar plant to reveal how God’s Kingdom often grows. Not through impressive beginnings or dramatic presence, but through ordinary people who faithfully sow small seeds of obedience.
What begins with one conversation, one invitation, one prayer or one act of kindness can spread far beyond what we could ever imagine.
Perhaps the next season of growth for your chapter doesn’t begin with a major event, but with a simple decision to become intentional about growth.
YOUR SEVEN SEEDS
"Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful." Colossians 4:2–4
Ask the Holy Spirit to place five people on your heart, who aren’t Christians or that need to move forward in their faith. They could be:
- A neighbour.
- A work colleague.
- The person who serves you in your local shop.
- Your postman or delivery driver.
- Your barber or hairdresser.
- A parent at the school gates.
- An old friend.
- Someone you see regularly but have never really spoken to.
Write their names or descriptions down and commit to praying for them every day. Every day especially on the days when you don’t feel like it, especially on the days when life is hard in your own life.
Pray that God would prepare their hearts. Ask Him to open opportunities for conversation. Then be ready to listen when the Holy Spirit prompts you to speak.
Some relationships will develop faster than others. Some the Holy Spirit might prompt you to mention you are praying for them and ask is there something in their lives they are struggling with. Others it might be asking them for a out for a coffee or a walk.
Some seeds grow quickly; others take time. When they’ve come don’t stop praying for them but add someone new to your list.
YOUR TIME TO INVEST
'“He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.” 2 Cor 9:6
Now ask the Lord another question: “Who do You want me to invest in?”
Pray until one person comes to mind. When God highlights someone, don’t rush ahead. Ask the Holy Spirit how He wants you to walk alongside them.
Mentoring can be meeting for coffee or a drink and listening, helping someone to understand where to begin reading the Bible, introducing them to the work of the Holy Spirit, praying together, showing hospitality, encouraging them through difficult circumstances or simply being a faithful friend.
Discipleship isn’t a programme; it’s living life together.
Imagine the impact if every member intentionally invested in just one person a year. As that person grows in Christ, then pray again and ask God who He wants you to encourage next.
EXPANTION PLANNING
What if every one of us intentionally adopted one place in prayer?
Seek the Holy Spirit. Choose an area. Write it down. Pray for it every day.
Pray that God would raise up people with a heart for that community. Pray for open doors, divine appointments and new fellowships to be established.
MAKE PRAYER INTENTIONAL
Create your own prayer playlist.
Perhaps begin with ten minutes or an hour each day. As your passion grows, increase that time. Consistent prayer changes us as much as it changes circumstances.
“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened up to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.” Matthew 7:7-8
Harvest never arrives without the seeds being sown.
The work of sowing isn’t always exciting. It requires patience, perseverance and faith. Some conversations will seem awkward. Some invitations may be declined. Some prayers may appear unanswered.
But every seed matters, don’t be discouraged or distracted.
Let’s not wait for someone else to build the Kingdom.
Let’s become intentional.
Let’s pray faithfully.
Let’s sow generously.
Let’s disciple purposefully.
And then let’s stand back and watch what God does.
"The harvest is truly plentiful, but the labourers are few. Therefore, pray the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into His harvest." — Matthew 9:37–38
