Everyone needs to branch out.

Though this term is related to trees, it ultimately relates to growth. Growth must happen in order to branch out. There comes a time when everyone must make their own way. It’s a time when the training and testing are complete, and we must embrace the unknown. Sometimes it’s an exciting experience and other times, it can be quite terrifying.

Leaders should promote branching out. Most leaders enjoy investing in the lives of others. We enjoy teaching, mentorship, and discipleship. We enjoying watching the journey of experience unfold within the lives of those we lead. Eventually, growth is evident.

The right decisions are made and the right steps are taken. No longer through convincing, but through their own conviction. There’s something really exciting at the moment when the investment of time and energy pays off.

What does branching branch out look like?

• A person receiving the Gospel and accepting Christ.
• Another person sharing a testimony of what God has done in their lives.
• Yet another choosing to embrace baptism or church membership.
• Or another taking on a leadership role in the church.

Everyone is at different stages of their faith journey and chose to take these steps at different times. Each of these steps gives a public profession that of following Jesus.

Branching out takes courage.

Once these steps of faithy are taken, there are challenges, tests, and trials that come. Convictions have to be strong in order to overcome the fear and anxiety that comes from these milestones of growth.

The leader or mentor may assist in that growth process, but the actual steps to branch out are not ones that a leader can force. Nor can the mentor take those steps for the people they lead.

Jesus Promoted Branching Out.

In Luke 9, we find the following passage.

“When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. He told them: ‘Take nothing for the journey—no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra shirt. Whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave that town. If people do not welcome you, leave their town and shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.’ So they set out and went from village to village, proclaiming the good news and healing people everywhere.” (9:1-6)

There came a time when the disciples needed to make their mark on this world. Jesus chose to no longer be by their side through every experience. They had to branch out into the world and complete the work that Jesus had mentored them through.

This proves Jesus’ incredible leadership and mentorship ability. He chose to let them branch out on their own.

Join the Conversation; Share Your Thoughts

How have you experienced growth lately?
Do you feel the need to branch out in a certain area of your life?
Have you been mentoring or discipling the growth of someone else?
How have they branched out under your leadership?