Tentmaking is a lifestyle more than a methodology. Effective tentmakers live a life that shows they are followers of Jesus. This leads those around them to want to know more about their Jesus.

How?

James Clear in his best-seller book Atomic Habits shows how habits, once established seem to stick around forever. He describes a habit as “a routine or behavior that is performed regularly – and, in many cases automatically.”

Clear’s book reveals his discoveries about building good habits. His breakthrough discovery was:

“…my results had very little to do with the goals I set and nearly everything to do with the systems I followed… Goals are about the results you want to achieve. Systems are about the processes that lead to those results… If you’re having trouble changing your habits, the problem isn’t you. The problem is your system.”

In other words, a key to living the effective lifestyle is to develop good practices, or habits.

Habits

Let’s look at some of the habits of highly effective disciple-making tentmakers.

Make Jesus central – tentmakers study the life of Jesus. They seek to live like Jesus did. Some years back it was common to see WWJD (What would Jesus Do?). In work and elsewhere they always seek to live out that principle.

Use Jesus’ strategy to identify disciples – they demonstrate love towards all they meet. One never knows which ones the Holy Spirit is preparing to be drawn closer to Jesus. Invest more time with those who show they are curious about and receptive to the Gospel.

Share faith in culturally relevant ways – they study the culture where they live and seek to relate to their community sensitive to the cultural differences. They communicate in a way that people in their community will understand.

Make discipleship a rhythm (lifestyle), not just a program – discipleship is not a set of truths or knowledge. It is learning to follow the lead of the Master and live in obedience to him. Live like Jesus.

Use simple practices and patterns – they model the Kingdom of God in action in their own communities.

Live intentionally – Consistently look for opportunities to show Jesus’ love to those around you. Have a plan. Make hospitality a part of their lifestyle. Expect to receive and then follow guidance from the Holy Spirit.

Live empowered by the Holy Spirit – they do not rely on their own strength and intelligence to “win” people over to the gospel. Rather they recognize the God is working in their community through the Holy spirit and they seek to be available to support what He is doing.

What does your list look like?

Are there other habits you would add to the list? Are their things you would remove? Post your ideas in comments.

By Phill Sandahl