When you decide to disciple another person, you are basically saying, “Follow me as I follow the Spirit”. You are stepping forward to show other’s the way in which they should be led. So the question begs to be asked, “Who is leading you?” Who are you following? Are you demonstrating a willingness to follow the Holy Spirit. Jesus wisely said, “…if a blind man guides a blind man, both will fall into a pit.”

Led by the Spirit:

One of the marks of a person who is full of the Holy Spirit is that they are willing to be led by the Holy Spirit. They are involved in receiving the Holy Spirit’s correction, direction and instruction. This cannot be overstated. Being available to go wherever the Spirit leads and do whatever He asks is the model Jesus gave His disciples. Everything in their lives had that undeniable mark of Spirit inspired leadership upon it… this is the anointing.

The Mark of Leadership:

God anointed Jesus with the Holy Spirit and He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him (Acts 10:38). He affirmed His Father’s priorities and did nothing except what His Father told Him to do. His life was the visible expression of the Father’s Will and the model for true Holy Spirit leadership!

Authentic and Visible:

Being anointed meant Jesus was carrying an active, visible favor in His ministry that demonstrated His Father’s heart in full view of the disciples. Jesus did not fake it, make it up or ask for help from the crowds. He was the real, Good Shepherd. He knew how to live in the secret place of the Holy Spirit’s Presence and release a flowing expression of the Father’s heart. He had no need of a worship team, love offering or altar call to stir the faith of crowds or critics.

Why did so Many Follow?

People wanted to follow Jesus, because He was the greatest example of sonship ever seen. The Apostle John says it best when he opens his letter to the churches. “That which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship (follower-ship) with us; and truly our fellowship (follower-ship) is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. And these things we write to you that your joy may be full.” (1 Jn 1:3-4)