Before returning to heaven, Jesus gave His followers a mission—known today as the Great Commission:

“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen” (Matthew 28:19, 20).

Making disciples is not easy, but the good news is that we are not alone in this work. Paul reminds us; “I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase” (1 Corinthians 3:6, 7).

In these verses, Paul describes two parts of the disciple-making process: sowing and watering. We could expand that idea into five stages, much like the growth of a plant:

• Preparing the soil of the heart

• Planting the seed of truth

• Nurturing and protecting the plant as it grows

• Harvesting through baptism

• Preserving the plant and reproducing it

In this article, we’ll focus on the first two—preparing the soil and planting the seed—because these are things all of us can start doing right now. We don’t need to wait for special training, an official position, or perfect knowledge. We can begin with what we already know, where we already are.

The first step is to prepare the soil—the hearts of those we hope to reach.

You might know people who, upon just meeting someone new, will immediately share all our doctrines—the Sabbath, the state of the dead, the investigative judgment—and feel like they’ve done their duty, leaving the listener overwhelmed. But that’s not what Jesus modeled.

In the parable of the Sower, the greatest factor that determined whether the seed grew or not was the soil on which it fell.

“And other fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred” (Mark 4:8).

Good soil doesn’t happen by accident—it’s prepared through love, care, and connection.

Preparing hearts begins with simple, authentic interactions. We don’t have to be pushy or force our beliefs on others, but neither should we hide our faith. We can naturally share how God has answered a prayer, helped us through a struggle, or blessed us through a church event. At this stage, it’s often more effective to share personal experiences rather than abstract truths.

Thankfully, Jesus gave us the perfect example of how to reach people:

“Christ’s method alone will give true success in reaching the people. The Saviour mingled with men as one who desired their good. He showed His sympathy for them, ministered to their needs, and won their confidence. Then He bade them, ‘Follow Me.’ ”—The Ministry of Healing, p. 143.

Let’s break that down:

Jesus didn’t isolate Himself in solitude, even though He valued prayer and quiet time with God. He actively sought out people—Jews and non-Jews, Pharisees and outcasts. He attended social events, visited homes, and met people where they were.

In our church, it’s easy to stay inside an “Adventist bubble,” safe from worldly influences but also separated from the very people we’re called to reach. To follow Christ’s example, we must step outside that bubble.

We can mingle through everyday activities: playing sports or music, attending weddings, joining social events, volunteering, or working on projects with others. However, mingling must be intentional. We’re not there just for entertainment—we’re there to be lights for Christ.

We also need balance. If our spiritual life is weak, worldly influences can easily pull us down. Like Enoch, we should regularly spend time with God to stay spiritually strong:

“After remaining for a time among the people, laboring to benefit them by instruction and example, he would withdraw, to spend a season in solitude, hungering and thirsting for that divine knowledge which God alone can impart.”—Gospel Workers, p. 52.

Once we build relationships, we need to genuinely care about people. One of the simplest yet most powerful ways to do this is by listening—really listening. Not half-listening while we think of what to say next, but giving our full attention.

Ask thoughtful questions, rephrase what you’ve heard to show understanding, and give space for them to share more. When people feel heard, they feel valued.

After understanding people’s lives and struggles, we can look for ways to help. Jesus did this constantly:

“During His ministry, Jesus devoted more time to healing the sick than to preaching.”—The Ministry of Healing, p. 19.

We can minister to others in countless practical ways:

• Helping a classmate understand a difficult concept

• Buying someone a meal

• Babysitting for a friend

• Cooking or baking for someone who’s struggling

• Helping fix a car or move furniture

The possibilities are endless when we pay attention to people’s needs.

As we consistently show love, listen, and serve, trust begins to grow. That’s when the soil is ready. Hearts that might have once been hard start to soften.

At this point, it can be helpful to gently test where someone stands spiritually—perhaps by mentioning something from your faith or asking a thoughtful question. If you sense interest, you can move on to the next phase. If not, keep nurturing the soil through friendship and care.

Once the soil of the heart is ready, it’s time to plant seeds of truth.

Seeds can take many forms. We can share our personal testimony—how God has changed our lives or answered prayer. If we don’t have such experiences, that’s a sign we need to deepen our relationship with Him first. Our witness must flow naturally from personal experience.

We can also plant seeds by sharing a book, podcast, or video that’s helped us spiritually. We can offer to pray for someone or even pray with them in the moment. Asking spiritual questions—simple but deep—can also open hearts. And when the time feels right, we can invite them to church, small group, or Bible study.

When planting seeds, it’s wise to begin with common ground. Focus on beliefs and values you share in order to build trust. Avoid diving too quickly into difficult or controversial topics that might scare people off before they understand your heart. As the relationship strengthens, the conversation can naturally go deeper.

Even as we plant, we must continue nurturing the soil—keeping up the relationship, showing care, and letting our actions speak as loudly as our words.

There’s no strict order or formula for this process. Every person is different, and God works in unique ways. Our part is to be faithful; God’s part is to bring the growth.

We must surround our efforts with prayer—asking God to guide our words, prepare hearts, and open doors.

Some people may respond quickly to God’s call, while others may take years—or even a lifetime. It can be discouraging when progress seems slow. But our job isn’t to force results; it’s to plant and water faithfully. God is the one who gives the increase.

Whether you’re at a restaurant, in class, at work, or hanging out with friends, opportunities to prepare hearts and plant seeds are all around. You don’t need a stage or a microphone—you just need a heart that’s willing and a faith that’s alive.

So start where you are. Be friendly. Listen. Serve. Pray. Share what God has done in your life.

You may never see the full impact of your efforts, but one day, in heaven, you might meet someone who says, “It was your kindness, your prayer, your conversation that planted the seed.”

And that will make it all worth it.