Illustration by Christian Roux

I was terrified: It was time to take the training wheels off my bike. I could get anywhere I needed to go. I felt secure. I hadn't fallen for a year. Why were Mom and Dad encouraging me to take this alarming step? I'm not ready, I thought. What if I tip over and get hurt?

The people we're discipling face similar moments of insecurity when they first consider the prospect of ministering to others. "I'm not ready," they say. "I don't know enough, and I might fail." Perhaps they don't see how God could use them, or they're afraid of doing something wrong. Whatever the reason, they'll miss out on the incredible privilege of sharing their lives with other people if they don't "take off the training wheels" in this area.

When those you're discipling are mature enough to begin ministering to others, your role is critical. The steps you take at this point in their spiritual development can equip them for lives of serving and discipling others. Here are five ideas to help them through this transition.

Challenge them to see the needs of others.

Suzy had been in the Bible–study group for several months. She was established in her walk with God, and she wanted Him to use her life to influence other women. Yet Suzy seemed stuck. She was always the first to share an answer at Bible study; she always had a long list of prayer requests. Suzy was so focused on her own needs that she seemed oblivious to the struggles that others in the group were facing.

Philippians 2:4 reminds us to "look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others." It is right and good to share our concerns. Ministering to others, however, requires that we also see and respond to their needs. Before Suzy could do that, her focus needed to shift from herself to others.

One night at dinner, I carefully voiced my thoughts and observations with Suzy. After I'd given her a chance to consider and respond to what I'd suggested, I said, "My challenge to you is not to mention any prayer requests at Bible study next week. Instead, listen to what the other women have to say." It was an unusual experiment, but she agreed to try.

The next time the group met, Suzy sat quietly as everyone else shared prayer requests. I could see the struggle on her face, but it was exciting to see her set aside her own needs to focus on others' concerns.

To help people develop the skill of observing needs, suggest one of the following assignments.

• Discover one challenge that your boss, coworker, or roommate is currently facing, and pray daily about this need for a week. For example, if a roommate mentions that she's feeling overwhelmed at work, pray that she would be able to trust God with that anxiety.
• Watch for a simple need you could meet in your school, home, or workplace. Could you give a few minutes to help a snowed–under coworker? Do a simple household chore for someone in your family? Run an errand for a friend? Look for one practical way you could serve someone in your life.
• Be alert for someone who could use encouragement, and give her a small gift to cheer her up: flowers, a gift certificate to a movie or video rental store, or a pound of her favorite coffee. Encourage your disciplee to match the gift to the interests of the person receiving it.

In addition, let those you disciple see that you are also paying attention to the needs of others. Invite them to join you as you respond to some of the needs you've noticed. You could shop for and deliver a gift to a mutual friend who is hurting, clean house for an overwhelmed mom, or fill in as a team for a Sunday–school teacher. During these times, you'll be able to demonstrate the principle of looking to the interests of others.

Help them keep it simple.

The prospect of helping another person grow spiritually is often overwhelming. As a discipler, you may tend to think the people you're meeting with must know everything they might possibly need before they start helping someone else. But it's actually better to help them identify one or two ideas or principles they can pass on to someone else.

By helping them take small, doable steps, you dispel the belief that only theological giants or spiritual super–heroes are qualified to disciple others. Without a doubt, interpreting the Bible accurately is critical in the life of the Christian. But those you're discipling do not need a seminary–level education before they can help someone learn to memorize Scripture.

Jesus called "unschooled, ordinary men" (Acts 4:13) as His disciples, and they changed the world. Many in the body of Christ are longing for "just a little help" to develop their relationship with Jesus. The people you're discipling have something to share with others; they simply may not recognize it.

How can you simplify the concept of building into someone else's life? Encourage disciples to think in small bits of information.

• What is your favorite verse on spending time with God? How would you explain this verse to someone who has never had a quiet time?
• Identify something God has recently taught you, and share it with at least one other person.
• What do you think is the most important thing someone who just became a Christian needs to know?

As your disciples grow in their ability to minister, you'll have more opportunities to help them add to their repertoire of skills and tools. When they're starting out, however, keep it simple.

Assure them that you're still available.

When I faced the prospect of riding my bike without training wheels, I was petrified. I didn't really want to be independent. I wasn't about to take off on only two wheels until I knew that I could call on Mom and Dad if something went wrong.

Younger believers making their first ministry ventures need reassurance you'll still be around. Reaching out to others is a natural step as we mature in Christ, but it doesn't mean we become completely independent and instantly competent. When the people you're discipling begin helping others, talk about how the time together went. Remind them that if they need help, you're available. You can listen carefully and be an objective outside observer.

As we first learn to help others, it's almost guaranteed that we will encounter something we don't know how to handle. At one point, a woman I was discipling made a series of choices I could not understand. During that time, I turned for advice to the woman who had discipled me. She didn't have any answers either, but just talking to her helped. She listened to me, and she prayed for me. Knowing that I was not alone gave me strength to persevere.

Encourage them with your words.

When people first begin ministering to others, they need affirmation that they're ready and that they're not going to fail miserably. As their discipler, you have a good understanding of their gifts and competencies, which makes you uniquely qualified to encourage them. Their confidence will grow as you assure them that God can and will use their lives—and that He wants to! I enjoy telling those I'm discipling that I can't wait to see what God does through them.

When you spend time together, your words can plant the seeds of ministry in another way as well. Ask questions that assume they will eventually pass along what they're learning. Try asking, "Could you explain this to someone else?" rather than, "Do you understand this?" Instead of saying, "That's an interesting insight," challenge them with, "Do you know anyone who would benefit from what you've discovered?" As you do this, those you're discipling will think about more than simply amassing information; they will begin thinking in terms of sharing what they've learned.

Pray for them and with them.

Regardless of the skill of the discipler or the gifts of the disciplee, the desire to help others burns from a heart that God has ignited. From your first meetings, pray that those you're helping would develop a heart to serve others. Ask God to give them a life–long ministry.

Help them learn to recognize the people God has placed in their lives. Pray together for nonChristians they know. Ask God to bring people across their paths whom they can help. Thank Him together for past ministry opportunities.

Learning to help others is like graduating from training wheels to a two–wheeler. It's an important milestone, but there is risk involved, and there will be bumps. You've ridden down a similar road before and know the terrain. You can run next to them, just as protective parents run next to their child. Pray, challenge, and encourage them.

And if you have to reach out your hand to steady the wobbly bike or the anxious disciplee, take heart: It's all part of the process.

Joann S. Olson is a Navigator staff representative at the University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire.