I had just sat down at my table at a restaurant, hurrying through my lunch break, when I noticed a young man who was doing the same thing.

I overheard him tell the waiter he had a job interview at Coca-Cola in 20 minutes.

“So you want to work for Coca-Cola?” I asked Joe.

“Not really,” Joe said. “I’m not sure what I want to do with my life.”

“What are your core values?” I asked. (After all, you can’t know what you want to do in life if you don’t know where you draw the line in the sand).

“I don’t have the foggiest idea what you’re talking about.” 

Joe and I met for two more meals over the next two days. We talked about core values, the principles of servant leadership, and the real meaning of life. Joe shared stories from his life and the challenges he’s facing as a young adult. I listened and asked questions. I also shared about the love Jesus has for him. We laughed and we cried. Two strangers — one in his 50s from Missouri, one in his 20s from Louisiana. 

Joe didn’t get the job with Coke. But he did get introduced to the Real Thing that weekend.

He also didn’t trust in Christ during our time together, but that’s not up to me. Below are five principles I’ve learned about making disciples that are up to me. The rest is up to the Holy Spirit.

1. Be in tune with Jesus.

Jesus said to Peter and Andrew, “Come and follow Me, I will make you fishers of men” (Matthew 4:18-20). Helping others know Christ is the natural outflow of following Him. He is the one who empowers us to fish wherever life happens — in the workplace, at home, and even during lunch in a busy restaurant. We must be in tune with the great Fisherman.

2. Be intentional.

Give careful thought to where you go and what you do. Seek out places where you know there will be unbelievers. (That doesn’t have to mean going to a bar.) Then go with the intention of having conversations with people and not just eating a quiet meal by yourself.

3. Be observant.

Take a moment to look around the room and see who’s there. Don’t be afraid to make eye contact and give a friendly smile. Watch body language and listen (if appropriate) to conversations happening around you. Joe came into the restaurant in a hurry, but we had just enough time to start a conversation and set a time to continue it the next day.

4. Be inquisitive.

I heard Joe say he had a job interview, which gave me an open door to ask questions. The rest of the conversation continued from there. Be interested in what the person is interested in, and ask questions that can’t be answered with a simple yes or no.

5. Be sensitive.

Sometimes the Holy Spirit is moving in a person, and sometimes not. Follow the Spirit’s lead and be bold but not brazen. Remember to be in tune with Jesus first and foremost. It’s Christ who makes you a fisher of men, not your own ability.

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Mark Silvers served with Crossworld in the Philippines for 10 years and joined the home office staff as Director of Mobilization in 2009. Mark’s driving passion is to reach the 3.02 billion people in the world today with no access to the gospel.