A Lesson in Discipleship

“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, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”-Matthew 28:19-20

Yesterday, for the first time, I did some (for me) major fixes on my truck with limited supervision from a friend. I managed to fix a door that wouldn’t open for almost a year, replaced  a motor for a window, and fixed the AV system by replacing both blend-doors. He pointed me in the direction I needed to go to do the procedure (some helpful YouTube videos), and put me to work. At the end of the day, he told me how difficult it was for him to watch me do it, knowing he could do the job faster, but I had said that I wanted to learn, and pass on what I learn to my boys. Thinking about it this morning, I consider it to be a great example of discipleship. Over the years, he’s shown me a thing or two, but this is the first time, with limited help, that I was on my own. I didn’t mangle anything, and I learned something valuable! And that is how Jesus did it.

When He called His disciples, Jesus had them, at first, watch what He did, then He had them assist Him, and then He sent them out to do the work themselves. That is the model Jesus gave us in discipleship. And all of us should be both disciples, in that we never stop seeking someone else to help us get to Christ, and disciple-makers. Nowadays, many are afraid to take these steps, but remember, Jesus sent you! Just as my friend did to me, you can show someone how to be a follower of Jesus, pointing them to God’s word, or to more seasoned Christians who YOU walk through life with, and help them to, like you, be a disciple who makes disciples! Jesus died that we may be free, but He also calls us to the work of the Kingdom! The fields are ripe for harvest, ask the Lord of the Harvest to send workers, and you go as well!

2 Timothy 2

You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also. Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him. An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops. Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.

Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel, for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound! Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. The saying is trustworthy, for:

If we have died with him, we will also live with him;

If we endure, we will also reign with him;

if we deny him, he also will deny us;

if we are faithless, he remains faithful—

for he cannot deny himself.

Remind them of these things, and charge them before God not to quarrel about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness, and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, who have swerved from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already happened. They are upsetting the faith of some. But God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.”

Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable. Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.

So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.