Why Do So Few Mature Christians Disciple Others?
Good Morning Friends,
Those who follow a mature Jesus know that discipleship should be a central aspect of our faith but too few rarely act like it. Those of us who really read scripture know that Jesus is not going to be born again for the close to the 2000th time this Sunday. Unfortunately we act like it. Well a little bit anyway. We get lovey dovey about a little child and then usher in the New Year with the image of a little child as well. Somehow this focus does not keep us on the path of maturation. There is a real difficulty here in how we are to be in relationships. The reality is that Jesus commanded His followers—in what is commonly referred to as “The Great Commission”—to “go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. It is not a suggestion but a command. And people at some level, as they mature in the faith, know that they are supposed to obey this charge collectively but something gets unplugged. And it raises today’s question. Why Do So Few Mature Christians Disciple Others?
Scripture: And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Matthew 28:18-20 (NRSV)
and what you have heard from me through many witnesses entrust to faithful people who will be able to teach others as well.
2 Timothy 2:2 (NRSV)
Then he said to them all, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will save it. What does it profit them if they gain the whole world, but lose or forfeit themselves?
Luke 9:23-25 (NRSV)
I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for solid food. Even now you are still not ready,
1 Corinthians 3:2 (NRSV)
Message: Jesus taught His disciples to follow Him and obey His commands so that they could lead others to do the same after His death, resurrection and ascension. The Apostle Paul continues the pattern with Timothy and encourages him to keep the cycle going. We are to model our spiritual life in this way, for we have not truly been discipled until we with Jesus disciple another. We learn by doing this work. And it is not easy. And can be misunderstood. In fact it can be dangerous and misguided if not done with Christ. Friends, salvation may be free but discipleship can cost us our lives. I think that is why the Presbyterians tend to avoid it as a collective approach outside worship and instead relegate it to people’s personal response in community as an expression of their spiritual gifts or in leadership training for those who become elders and submit to more a process of discipline than discipleship. Now discovering ones gifts is not easy. But perhaps it starts here in recognizing our strengths. Here in a place of comfort is a good place to begin the process. Simply put, when it comes to being committed to disciple others who in turn disciple and empower the next generation to become servant leaders we are to start with our God given strengths. However we are also to know and be motivated by the saddest words ever uttered….”what might have been.” Friends, we have entered an age when we must depend on God. Even those who are active in going, showing, and telling, in the context of the local church have a challenge. Perhaps it is wise to depend on Christ to disciple each of us. But I will always wonder with some degree of sadness, what might have been if our discipleship remains in worship and is never carried out as an incarnational act in the larger community. The fruit of the Spirit is to grow off the vine of the local church but be manifested and magnified in community. That is why we must go and be sent as part of the Great Commission. Maybe some of this will be birthed in you this Christmas.
Pray we really understand the Great Commission. Pray we are willing to partner with other Christians in order to help them and us to obey Jesus and grow in relationship with Him to carry on the hope of an abundant life that comes when we are willing to risk. Pray we realize that this is not a solitary meditation or a mentoring relationship, or a response to a psychological test, but an active relationship that engages us in spending time with other believers in communion with Christ. Pray we foster honest wholehearted relationships with other believers desiring to follow Jesus. Pray we realize that discipleship is not denomination specific but might be best expressed in worship that sparks a light in a person’s soul that is carried out to the larger community. Pray we realize that today’s trouble is enough for today. Pray we respond in faith to Christ’s call.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 