Gatorade is a fan favorite in our family. We drink it a lot. We drink various flavors, but our most popular probably include the classics—fruit punch, orange, and lemon lime. While we usually drink Gatorade from the bottles, there are times when we make it in our own pitcher. It’s easy—you put in four scoops of powder and add a gallon of water. When you add the water, however, you are not done. You have to stir up the powder! Without stirring the powder, the pitcher may initially resemble Gatorade; but upon further inspection, you would notice that the color is not quite as vivid as it should be. Furthermore, the taste would be nowhere close!

In a spiritual analogy, when we seek to disciple someone, we must remember to stir. It is a great start to encourage someone to believe in Jesus and to tell them that the Bible is God’s word. However, we must stir the rich and colorful truth of God’s Word throughout our lives through hungry reading and obedient living. If not, we may end up merely being a pale reflection of the Gospel, with a little Bible powder deep down in the bottom somewhere.

Peter gives us good insight on discipling. In 2 Peter 3:1–2, he says, “I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder, that you should remember beforehand by the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior spoken by your apostles.” He did not want his readers to forget what they had been told about the Lord. He wanted to remind them, to stir them up, to bring the truth back up from the bottom. This is what we should do for those we want to disciple. We must stir them up by reminding them what God has said, and challenging them to live accordingly.