It's been said that a commitment to discipleship is a commitment to delayed results. Investing in people is hard. All of us come with complex issues that are unique. All of us are at different stages of maturity. All of us learn at different paces. Put simply, people are messy. Because of this there's a reality when discipling others that we must always remember. Often times the investments we make in people, don't return right away or at least in the timing we desire. Results are often not seen until much later. There is no quick fix in sanctification. No short cuts. Unfortunately this is why many choose not to do discipleship. It's why many people start and give up, because it requires so much time, and the results aren't immediate.
We live in a technological era that has spoiled our ability to be patient and trust God to work. You can stream live sporting events instantly to your phone. Just about everything in our world today is a click away. But if you've ever jumped into a relationship with a person in which you are trying to lead them to know and follow Jesus, you realize quickly that things don't work that way. Discipleship is more Agricultural than Technology. It's more planting, watering, cultivating, and well... waiting for harvest. A farmer really has no control over certain elements. They have no control over the soil, or the climate, or the weather. They must simply stick to the process of what they can control and pray that the other elements cooperate.
"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." (Galatians 6:9)
Growing people in godliness and mission is something God must do, and it's something He usually does over a long period of time. A lot of people voice frustrations over discipling someone for years and never seeing fruit. Disappointment because their people won't multiply to start their own groups. Or disappointment because they still won't step out in faith to lead ministries or share their faith. One that really tests our patience is when they don't seem to be applying God's word in certain areas of their lives, even though we've been talking about the same thing for months. I've been there, we've all been there, and if we are honest, it sometimes makes us ask the question, "Is it worth it?" The Bible would tell us absolutely, yes, it is! For one, Jesus never calls us to get results, He calls us to be faithful to sow seeds and water. But secondly, you would be amazed at how the Holy Spirit can move on a person who has sat on an investment for years without doing much with it. You look up one day and all of a sudden they are burdened with a desire to act on the things they were taught long ago and begin bearing much fruit.
I have personally seen this with a couple of people, but the greatest example is Jesus and the disciples. In some ways, it should encourage us to see that the Son of God invested in men for 3 years, and somehow they still completely abandoned him at his death. (Mark 14:50) His best leader denied knowing Him. (John 18:25-27) They didn't fully understand the resurrection. (John 20:9-10) And after his death ,that they appeared to have given up on the ministry and went back to their fishing jobs. (John 21:1-3) This would leave many of us highly discouraged, but later after the ascension and the coming of the Holy Spirit, they became bold witnesses and leaders who took the gospel to the ends of the earth. (Acts 1:8)
If it took some time in Jesus' ministry, I think it's safe to say ours may take a little time also. I want to suggest a few things to help you keep perspective on delayed results in discipleship
Pray more : (John 17) Jesus prayed that the Father would sanctify, unite, and glorify Himself through the lives of the disciples. Discipleship is started and sustained by prayer. We must be diligent to beg God to do what only He can do in the lives of people.
Trust the process : (1 Cor. 15:58) God uses all kinds of means of grace in people's lives. Other disciplers, corporate worship, community group and many other things over the course of time will bring His people to His desired place. We must believe that He's always up to more than we can see or know. Besides having someone fighting sin, loving God's word, and being a faithful church member "only", isn't the end of the world. As we teach them to be with Jesus, He will eventually bear fruit through them.
Keep vision and resources in front of people: (Matthew 28:18-20) Recommend compelling books, articles, podcasts, anything that reminds the people you are investing in or have invested in of our calling as disciples of Jesus. One thing I like to do when I come across good resources is send them to guys I have discipled in the past, just to keep vision in front of them and to inspire them to act on things we have talked about.
KB on Making Disciples
Christian Hip Hop artist KB talks about the priority of Disciple Making in his life. He speaks about "perseverance" as the mark of a true disciple and how walking with converts is the only way to help them persevere. I pray it inspires you.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LTtQ5qbyAVkBuilding an Evangelistic Culture
The best strategy for more evangelism is discipleship. Robby Flack of Downline Ministries shares ideas for helping the people you disciple get serious about personal evangelism.
https://downlineministries.com/evangelistic-culture/