DISCIPLESHIP: “Discipleship” is one of those words that catches you at both ends of yourself ~ as a learner and as a teacher. In one breath we are summoned to humility and responsible action. Discipleship is what makes the church tick, forming deep friendships and attracting people who know they’re broken. It is intensely relational, and when believers succeed at discipleship the church grows. When we fail, the church becomes a very lonely place to be, regardless of the activities and crowds.
Discipleship is like standing in the middle of a river: water rushes toward you, you get soaked, and water rushes away. We are designed by God to experience Him this way: receiving, changing and giving away what He pours into our lives.
Let’s get specific: Do you have close spiritually-minded friends? If not, then you’re vulnerable. We suggest changing the way you do Christianity.
"Take care, brethren, lest there should be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart, in falling away from the living God. But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called ‘Today,’ lest any one of you be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.” (Heb 3:12-13)
Discipleship is often peddled as one person teaching another person the Bible, and how to navigate the many attacks against it. As honorable as this might be, this is hardly what discipleship in the New Testament looks like. Discipleship is primarily about the heart; not a defense of the Bible, but a life of faith successfully lived in God's presence. What does this look like? Here is one example from Frank Laubach's Letters:
"In defense of my opening my soul and laying it bare to the public gaze in this fashion, I may say that it seems to me that we really seldom do anybody much good excepting as we share the deepest experiences of our souls in this way. It is not the fashion to tell your inmost thoughts, but there are many wrong fashions, and concealment of the best in us is wrong. I disapprove of the usual practice of talking "small talk" whenever we meet, and holding a veil over our souls. If we are so impoverished that we have nothing to reveal but small talk, then we need to struggle for more richness of soul. As for me I am convinced that this spiritual pilgrimage which I am making is infinitely worth while, the most important thing I know of to talk about. And talk I shall while there is anybody to listen. And I hunger--O how I hunger! for others to tell me their soul adventures." (January 26, 1930)
A Christian needs this kind of information and fellowship much more than a working knowledge of Hebrew and Greek. The sooner a believer learns this, the quicker they will mature and the more delighted they will be with God.
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