Easy Faith
We often debate at what level of maturity a disciple is functional. I think, frankly, that the disciples of the early church were probably far less “mature” than we would want to believe.
We debate methods of catch and release; How much? How far? In what ways? How connected do we stay with people we disciple, etc?
We debate process, methods, etc., many things about how to make disciples. We get in little groups, or one on one, or bring our Bible’s, I’m just not sure there’s any one way. I’m not sure any one approach for an entire lifetime works either. We hopefully outgrow systems, processes, and even disciplers along the way.
I’m thinking the core of the issue in producing rapidly growing disciples that are expanding is in the whole issue of “conversion.” What are we calling people to? As I’ve recently read Acts, and Luke, and tons of other scriptures this week, there was a real call to abandonment. Jesus said, “You follow me, you’re gonna die, but be ok with it because life is eternal.”
I think we try too hard to ease people in.
When people are eased in to a relationship with Christ and a body of believers they ease out, real easily. If a decision to follow Christ doesn’t make someone uneasy they may have joined a religion, but they haven’t found Jesus.
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Dec 30, 2008 at 12:39 PM
I made a similar remark to a friend a few weeks ago. Maybe we've made it real easy to get someone to "make a decision," but a lot of times there doesn't appear to be a lot of commitment [at least fruit bearing commitment].
I often wonder though if this isn't their fault, but ours in the ones leading the call. Do we ever call them to make a life-changing high priced commitment or just fresh start with God? I don't mean that harshly, but we sorta do get what we ask for.
Dec 31, 2008 at 12:02 AM
Most in our day have minimized conversion to asking Jesus in one's heart or walking an aisle at a church and repeating a prayer after a pastor. They are than told that they are saved.
I was listening to Klove radio today in the car and they were talking about how they had 3,000 conversions this year over the phone.
Hmmmm. I think you are right Bob. Maybe we try too hard to ease people in.
Jesus didn't call people to repeat a prayer after Him, inviting Him into their heart. He did call people to pick up their cross, deny their self and follow Him.
gaj
Dec 31, 2008 at 02:29 AM
I think the problem might be "we are calling people to" instead of calling we need to be saying like Paul "Follow me as I follow Christ". We are to live the life of God that we want to see in others. Ghandi said "be the change you want to see" It is so much easier to call or to preach or to just talk all day about discipleship-very few leaders want to model it. Luke 6:40 "A disciple is not above his teacher, but after he has been fully trained will be like his teacher". So maybe the fault is not so much the people, but the leaders who are making disciple that are just like them.
Dec 31, 2008 at 02:33 PM
Bob, I am glad you are talking along these lines as we enter into a new year. So many of us are making resolutions rather than meditating on who we already are (Ephesians 1:1-14) in Christ and allowing Him have His way in us.
Omar, I would have to agree with you. I think the emphasis on the leader is crucial. Christ ended the debate on what is discipleship when he said, "Take up your cross and follow me." He then modeled it by what He said (or didn't say) and did on the cross. The glory of the cross is found in His resurrection. He set us free from the old, and then He pours out the new life in immeasurable abundance to His disciples. When I take up my cross and follow him, I can now experience His wonderful life every day. What a tragedy to limit the Christian life to just a prayer? There is so much of His life that he wants us to access through the cross. Leaders that do not preach, teach, and live the full message of discipleship limit the power of the cross in their followers.
So back to the question at " what level of maturity is a disciple functional?"
I would say at the point of being "broken, humble and teachable." God can only use an empty vessel. Too many Christians have bought into a “Jesus and ME decision" rather than a “Jesus ONLY commitment.” A disciple must choose to exchange His life for Christ. God never violates our will. For men, that usually takes a long time. That could take years. It may only take a day. The emphasis is not on a timetable, but rather, a decision.
Dec 31, 2008 at 06:04 PM
Bob, I appreciate all you are doing locally and globally. You are a leader who walks the talk. I have never written a response on your blog, but your writing about the "disciple" got me thinking.
From a businessman's perspective, I agree with all you have written. I think salvation in Christ has been "cheapened" in our present age. Hopefully this parallel is not too offensive, but I would relate current "beliefism" in Christ to the financial markets today. Many of us rarely think we need a financial advisor (or a Savior) until a major crisis occurs. My take is that we, in America, have grown way too comfortable with our lifestyles, and thus, with our faith and the cost of our salvation.
I have heard many of your stories, Bob, of those disciples who daily face death for their faith. I would guess that those around the world who have become disciples of Jesus, and could die immediately from their decision, have fully weighed the cost. I have rarely met an American who has had to make that choice. The good news today is that in the face of a financial crisis, God is at work in the hearts of many who have trusted materials and money for their "salvation." I have had conversations in the last few months with many who are more open to what God has to say about money and salvation.
I think back to when I first trusted Jesus and abandoned much of my way of life through the leading a Jewish Believer in Clearwater, Florida. I was so excited to talk to everyone that I could about my faith. I probably talked to more people about Jesus in my year of salvation than any other year. My take on discipleship is pretty simple. Whatever process or system that we follow may not be the best way, be we need to quit talking about it and just do it! An old pitching coach of mine told me one time, "When you have doubt about what pitch to throw, just throw your best pitch!"
Jan 1, 2009 at 11:52 AM
In the book of Acts, the world was turned upside down. It wasn't just Peter and John that made this happen. It was the people who heard about Jesus, made a heart-decision to follow Him, and shared their faith with everyone who would listen. It was those 3000 persons and the "day-by-day" salvations mentioned in Acts 2 that started this wonderful upheavel! Was maturity required for the gospel to spring forth? I can hardly believe that each of these new believers were discipled one-on-one or required to go to a new believer's bible study before they were allowed to witness. They were passionate, sold-out, 100% on-fire for God and ready to die for what they believed in - Jesus! True conversion turns the world upside down. Maturity will come, I believe, as we live out the Acts 2:42-47 life with one another.
Jan 3, 2009 at 02:23 PM
Wasn't the disciple maker in Acts really the Holy Spirit poured out and into the lives of the new converts?
As disciples or disciple makers, are we as dependent on Him today as they were then?
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