Yearning for More: How Deep Intimacy with God Fuels Disciple-Making
“As we seek to see holistic transformation, the multiplication of disciples, and movements that change communities and nations, we must recognise that our intimacy with God is the fuel for lasting impact. The depth of our relationship with Him directly impacts the breadth of our influence.”
Photo source: IDOP
In every great movement of God throughout history, one common thread runs through the lives of those He has used: an insatiable hunger for Him. From Moses on Mount Sinai to the apostles in the Upper Room, the yearning to know and experience God deeply has always preceded transformational disciple-making. This yearning is more than a passing desire; it is a continual longing that drives individuals into the secret place, where they are shaped, refined, and empowered to make disciples who make disciples.
As we seek to see holistic transformation, the multiplication of disciples, and movements that change communities and nations, we must recognise that our intimacy with God is the fuel for lasting impact. The depth of our relationship with Him directly impacts the breadth of our influence. This article explores why and how deep intimacy with God fuels disciple-making and how we can cultivate this hunger in our lives and ministries.
The Foundation of Disciple-Making: Abiding in Christ
Jesus made it clear in John 15:5: “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me, you can do nothing.” Effective disciple-making is not a product of mere strategies or methodologies; it is the overflow of an abiding relationship with Christ.
Abiding in Christ involves:
Regular communion in prayer: Jesus often withdrew to lonely places to pray (Luke 5:16). His intimate connection with the Father was the source of His ministry.
Immersion in God’s Word: Psalm 1 describes the blessed man as one who meditates on God’s Word day and night and, in John 15:7, Jesus speaks of his words abiding in his disciples.
Walking in obedience: John 14:15 and 15:10 remind us that love for God is demonstrated in obedience to His commands.
Partnership with God: When we cultivate a deep relationship with God, we are not just working for Him; we are working with Him. This results in Spirit-led, fruitful disciple-making rather than human-driven efforts that bear little eternal impact.
Intimacy with God Produces Spiritual Authority and Power
One of the greatest challenges in disciple-making is spiritual resistance. We are not merely passing on information; we are engaging in spiritual warfare (Ephesians 6:12). Jesus’ ministry demonstrated that power flows from intimacy with the Father. Before He began His public ministry, He spent 40 days fasting and praying and victoriously resisting the devil’s temptations (Luke 4:1-14). As a result, He emerged “in the power of the Spirit.”
Similarly, the early disciples in Acts did not rush into ministry after Jesus’ ascension. They waited in the Upper Room, seeking God in prayer (Acts 1:14). When the Holy Spirit came upon them, their witness became effective, and thousands came to Christ (Acts 2:41, 4:4). This fulfilled Jesus’ promises that the Spirit would empower them for witness (Acts 1:8). This pattern holds true today: those who walk closely with God operate in His authority and power, making disciples who truly encounter Jesus.
Victor with in group of Biali disciples in Nigeria.
Deep Love for God Translates into Deep Love for People
A deep hunger for God transforms not just our vertical relationship with Him but also our horizontal relationships with others. Jesus summed up the greatest commandments as loving God and loving people (Matthew 22:37-39). When we are captivated by God’s love, we naturally reflect it to those around us.
Compassionate Disciple-Making: Jesus was moved by compassion before feeding the multitudes and healing the sick (Matthew 9:36). True disciple-making is not about numbers; it is about nurturing people in the love of Christ.
Selfless Service: Intimacy with God shifts our motivation from self-glorification to genuine service. We become willing to invest deeply in others, walking with them through their struggles and joys.
Authentic Relationships: The closer we are to God, the more we embody Christ-like character, making our witness compelling and credible.
Spiritual Disciplines That Cultivate Hunger for God
Hunger for God is not automatic; it must be nurtured intentionally. Spiritual disciplines create the environment where this hunger can grow.
Prayer and Fasting: Jesus declared, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled” (Matthew 5:6). Prayer and fasting increase our spiritual sensitivity and dependence on God. As we set aside physical needs, our spiritual appetite for God intensifies.
Deep Study and Meditation on Scripture: The Word of God is our spiritual nourishment. Joshua 1:8 reminds us that meditating on God’s law day and night leads to prosperity and success in our mission. As we engage deeply with Scripture, it renews our minds and aligns our desires with God’s will.
Solitude and Silence: In a world filled with distractions, solitude allows us to hear God more clearly. Elijah found God not in the wind or fire, but in a gentle whisper (1 Kings 19:11-12). Setting aside time for silence before God fosters greater sensitivity to His voice.
Worship: Worship fuels our hunger for God. When we exalt Him, our hearts are drawn closer to Him. Psalm 22:3 tells us that God inhabits the praises of His people. Worship realigns our focus and stirs a longing for deeper encounters with Him.
“The depth of our intimacy with God determines the sustainability of the movements we seek to catalyse. ”
How Intimacy with God Fuels Multiplication
Movements are not just about making disciples; they are about making disciples who multiply. The depth of our intimacy with God determines the sustainability of the movements we seek to catalyze.
Imparting Spiritual DNA: Those who walk closely with God model a faith worth reproducing. Paul could say, “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1).
Spiritual Reproduction: When our passion for God is contagious, it ignites the same hunger in those we disciple. They, in turn, seek deeper intimacy with Him and pass it on to others.
Endurance in Hardship: Disciple-making is not without challenges. Paul’s ability to rejoice in suffering (Philippians 3:10) stemmed from his deep relationship with Christ. When trials come, those rooted in God persevere and continue multiplying.
Cultivating a Lasting Hunger for God
Movements, disciple-making, and holistic transformation are not primarily about strategies; they are about the depth of our walk with God. Throughout history, those who have been most effective in catalyzing movements have been those who yearned for more of God and lived in deep communion with Him. Emmanuel Prinz's research on Movement Catalysts highlights that every single catalyst was marked by a deep hunger for God, along with ten other key qualities. In fact, Prinz has noted that hunger for God was the most frequently mentioned quality among catalysts as essential to movements.
Photo Source: Unsplash
If we desire to see lasting impact in our communities and nations, we must prioritize our hunger for God above all else. This hunger is cultivated not only through personal disciplines like prayer, fasting, deep study of Scripture, solitude, and worship but also through the encouragement of a faith-filled community. Spending time with others who know and love God strengthens us, deepens our pursuit of Him, and fuels a shared passion for His presence. As we do, we will find ourselves not only drawing closer to God but also leading others into a relationship with Him that will ripple through generations.
Our greatest contribution to disciple-making is not in what we do but in who we are—lovers of God whose passion for Him overflows into the lives of others. Emmanuel Prinz’s research affirms this in two key ways: first, the qualities of the person—the catalyst—are more decisive in producing movements than the specific methods they use. Second, every catalyst he studied hungered for God more than they hungered for movements. When our deepest longing is for God Himself, that passion naturally shapes and fuels disciple-making in a way that leads to lasting transformation.
May our yearning for more of Him continually fuel the work of the Great Commission, until the knowledge of His glory covers the earth as the waters cover the sea (Habakkuk 2:14).
For further reading: Read Emmanuel Prinz, Movement Catalysts: Profile of an Apostolic Leader (2022) to see what his research said about Hunger for God among the catalysts of movements in the Muslim world.
