Disciple-Making: How to Help People Who Don't Get It

Big Idea

People don’t miss truth because Scripture is unclear; they miss truth because their lens is misaligned. In Bible study, our role is not just to present verses—it’s to help people see with the right perspective.

Opening

One of the most frustrating moments in Bible study is studying with someone and thinking:

“Why don’t they see this? It’s right there in the text.”

You explain it. You read it together. You ask good questions. And still, they don’t get it. But what if the issue is not intelligence? What if the issue is perspective?

Discussion Questions #1

• Have you ever had a moment where Scripture was always there, but you suddenly saw it differently?

Transition: Let’s watch how Jesus dealt with this in real time.

The Barrier Is Perspective, Not Information

In Mark, we see a repeated pattern of spiritual blindness:

• From Mark 6-9, we read people seeing but not understanding

• People witness power but miss meaning

• They see miracles but don’t grasp identity

• Mark 6:52 — disciples saw the feeding, but their hearts were hardened.

Mark 8:14-33 NIV

The disciples had forgotten to bring bread, except for one loaf they had with them in the boat. [15] “Be careful,” Jesus warned them. “Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and that of Herod.” [16] They discussed this with one another and said, “It is because we have no bread.” [17] Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked them: “Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not see or understand? Are your hearts hardened? [18] Do you have eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear? And don’t you remember? [19] When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?” “Twelve,” they replied. [20] “And when I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?” They answered, “Seven.” [21] He said to them, “Do you still not understand?” [22] They came to Bethsaida, and some people brought a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him. [23] He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. When he had spit on the man’s eyes and put his hands on him, Jesus asked, “Do you see anything?” [24] He looked up and said, “I see people; they look like trees walking around.” [25] Once more Jesus put his hands on the man’s eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. [26] Jesus sent him home, saying, “Don’t even go into the village.” [27] Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, “Who do people say I am?” [28] They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.” [29] “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Peter answered, “You are the Messiah.” [30] Jesus warned them not to tell anyone about him. [31] He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again. [32] He spoke plainly about this, and Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. [33] But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter. “Get behind me, Satan!” he said. “You do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”

Discussion Questions #2

• What do this passage teach us about the disciples’ spiritual perspective?

• Why do you think Jesus frequently asks questions instead of just giving answers?

Lessons Learned:

• People will look at the word with a logical perspective? (v16)

  • The disciples used reasonable analysis (“It is because we have no bread.”)

  • Information processing is not the same as spiritual discernment

• People will draw from their religious tradition (v27-28)

  • Inherited traditions or culture can obscure our view of truth

• People will be blinded to truth due to their emotions (v32-33)

  • We often accept the Savior we want, not the Savior Scripture reveals

• People can be sincere, teachable, and still not see (v32)

  • Proximity to Jesus is not identical to agreement with Jesus

How to Change Perspective

1 – Understand Their View

Luke 24:13-21 NIV

Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. [14] They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. [15] As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; [16] but they were kept from recognizing him. [17] He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?” They stood still, their faces downcast. [18] One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” [19] “What things?” he asked. “About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. [20] The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; [21] but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place.

Understand their view — “What are you discussing?”

• That question is not just a conversation starter. Jesus is intentionally drawing out their thinking.

  • The text even says their faces were downcast, and Jesus notices that. He is paying attention to what is driving their emotions and their conclusions.

  • They respond by explaining their assumptions/perspective

    • “We had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel.” (v21)

• Before we present biblical teaching, we need to understand where they are coming from

  • We are inviting people to share

• Here are some example questions:

  • How would you describe your spiritual background?

  • What has shaped your view of God the most?

  • What role does the Bible currently play in your life?”

  • What do you think God expects from us?

  • Who were the biggest influences on your beliefs?

  • What do you think Christians often get right?

  • What do you think Christians often get wrong?

  • Are there any church experiences that still affect how you hear biblical teaching?

  • What question do you most want God to answer for you right now?

2 – Reframe through Scripture

Luke 24:25-35 NIV

He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! [26] Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” [27] And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. [28] As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. [29] But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them. [30] When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. [31] Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. [32] They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” [33] They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together [34] and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” [35] Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.

Reframe through Scripture — Moses and Prophets rightly interpreted (v27)

• Once someone’s assumptions have been clarified, then comes the moment when truth can be introduced.

  • This is exactly what Jesus does on the road to Emmaus.

• After listening to them and understanding their perspective, He takes them through Moses and all the Prophets

  • Now their previous assumptions are placed side by side with the actual message of the scriptures.

Same movement in John 4:

• Start with her perspective (place of worship)

• Reframes to true worship (spirit and truth)

Discussion Questions #4

• Which step do we skip most in our Bible studies: listening, clarifying, or reframing?

Ministry Insight:
Breakthrough often comes when people are helped to compare their perspective with the full truth of Scripture.

Conclusion

When someone “doesn’t get it,” avoid labeling them too quickly.
Don’t assume rebellion where there may be confusion, fear, or inherited beliefs.

Practical Bible Study Routine

1. Understand their view — ask, listen, observe tone/emotion

2. Reframe through scripture — place Scripture and assumptions side-by-side

Final Thought

People don’t only need more verses—they need a clearer lens.
Our calling is to patiently shepherd perspective until people can see what God has already said. Sometimes the breakthrough in Bible study is not new information—it’s new sight.