When Jesus Spoke to Crowds
—vs. With Disciples
Recently, this simple statement came out in a conversation:
“What Jesus did with pre-believers was preach to crowds.
What Jesus did with His disciples was engage and interact with them.
And yet, we often do for believers what Jesus did for pre-believers—with only one person doing all the talking.”
Wow! This was so simple and so clear on what I have felt for years.
When you sit with the Gospels, this pattern becomes unmistakable.
Jesus Preached to Crowds…
Jesus absolutely preached to large groups.
The Sermon on the Mount.
Parables spoken by the seaside.
Teachings delivered to multitudes who were curious, hungry, or just beginning to lean in.
Preaching made sense for curious crowds.
It announced the Kingdom.
It invited people in.
But preaching was never the end goal.
…Then He Engaged His Disciples
When Jesus was with His disciples, something different happened.
He asked questions.
He listened.
He responded to what was happening in their hearts.
He explained parables privately.
He corrected gently.
He invited them to try, fail, reflect, and try again.
“Who do you say that I am?”
“What do you want Me to do for you?”
“Why were you afraid?”
“What were you arguing about on the road?”
Discipleship was relational, not one-directional.
Formation happened in conversation.
The Quiet Drift We Didn’t Notice
Somewhere along the way, church gatherings have drifted into a default pattern where believers mostly receive information—but rarely get space for interaction, reflection, or shared discernment.
We gather.
One person speaks.
Everyone else listens.
There is value in teaching, absolutely.
But if disciples are always treated like crowds, something essential is missing.
Jesus didn’t disciple by monologue alone.
This Is Why Group Coaching (Gathering in Circles) Is So Powerful
This realization is part of what I touched on in the book: God, Show Me More of You. But lately, it has come into sharper focus for me.
When I gather women to listen together in a circle—to God and to one another—something beautiful happens.
• We slow down
• We make room for the Holy Spirit
• We hear different facets of God’s heart
• We learn discernment by practicing it, not just hearing about it
Discipleship multiplies when voices are welcomed, not silenced.
The Kingdom grows when we learn to listen to God and respond together.
The Gift We Give Each Other
There is something profoundly holy about a circle where:
• God is invited to speak
• Each heart matters
• Wisdom is shared, not hoarded
• No one is performing
This is not about abandoning teaching—it’s about restoring relationship to formation.
And to those who show up in our circles with open hearts, courage, humility, and attentiveness—thank you!
We have learned so much from YOU,
watching you interact with the Lord and with each other.
You each uniquely carry His image.
What we receive together doesn’t stay contained.
It multiplies in our families, friendships, churches, and communities.
Jesus never meant discipleship to be a one-way conversation.
He meant it to be:
life shared in His presence,
and life shared with others.
How to Get Started?
Ask the Lord for the names of 2-3 others to gather with. 🙂
Together, listen to the Lord, and share with each other.
Test according to the Word, fruit of Holy Spirit, etc.
Live out what the Lord tells you.
Watch the Lord multiply His kingdom!
For more help and stories, enjoy the yellow book: “God, Show Me More of You.”
You’re also INVITED!
If you’re a woman and could use a boost, even as you multiply God’s kingdom in your neighbourhood, join us in our Freedom Coaching Circle today!
Merri Ellen 🙂
Join other hungry women seeking the Lord together.
Enjoy the books: “God, Show Me What You See”
or “God, Show Me More of You“
Following and Trusting : Encountering God Out of the Box 
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