Developing a Culture of Discipleship

Last weekend we were blessed with pastor Skeete presenting on how to be “contagious” Christian and use our personal sphere of influence to lead people to know Christ.  We learned about being ourselves while impacting others. We learned how different our personalities are, and some of you found yourself in cohorts of one of six types – direct, intellectual, testimonial, interpersonal, invitational, serving.  These exercises are to encourage each believer to lead someone to Christ.

Jesus told us to go and make disciples, and sometimes we complicate this simple call by worrying about curriculums, books, handouts, activities.  Yet, it is simple, and should remain simple – find 12 people you love and care for and pour your life in them just the way Jesus surrounded Himself and invested Himself in the lives of 12 disciples.  Do you have 12 people in your life you care for and love to see grow? 

One of mistakes often made in Christian discipleship groups we forget that we are to make disciples for Jesus, and not our own.  We are to introduce them to Jesus we know already, and not propagate our way of life.  Discipleship is about teaching of Jesus, about Kingdom of God, about growing in faith, about falling in love with God.

We are all familiar with the quote from the Ministry of Healing p.143 “Christ’s method alone will give true success in reaching the people. The Saviour mingled with men as one who desired their good. He showed His sympathy for them, ministered to their needs, and won their confidence. Then He bade them, ‘Follow Me.’” 

The author of my12people.com, Roy Ice, gives a paraphrase to this statement, mocking our practices: “The Savior created one subcommittee from his disciples to deal with matters of creative evangelism and another to decrypt the mysteries and methods of determining whether the stranger who just dropped by the church really needs help. Or is just scamming us for some quick cash.  Christ lovingly modeled for his flock that at least one annual, multi-week, 27 nights effort, focusing on how we know prophecy better than the church they currently attend, and all this presented by a guy your neighbours have never heard of (but trust you me!) he is a world renown expert in the field! This method alone will give a true success”

You get the point – we do not need more committees and subcommittess, and curriculums, and star speakers, and widgets – we are to try Jesus’ model – mingle with people you care for, love them and when they are confident in a relationship, then ask to follow Jesus.