PRACTICAL EXAMPLE OF BIBLICAL DISCIPLESHIP
As a result of reading some sad information recently , I decided to go to my Concordance & my Lexicon to remind myself of the Greek meaning for the word DISCIPLE, there are two particular aspects of meaning that stood out to me.
A DISCIPLE IS A PUPIL OR LEARNER.
This meaning sure confirms that if there are a number of New Believers at one time a class would be an important key to assisting them.
A DISCIPLE IS AN IMITATOR, A FOLLOWER AN ADHERENT.
This to me also confirms the ONE ON ONE component that is needed for a New Believer. A class can give a lot of information, but the one on one component with the Disciple-Maker walking with him (for as long as it takes) can assess the degree THE INFORMATION IS BECOMING REVELATION. this can be done face to face (I recommend weekly) plus a regular social media reminders and encouragement.
Sadly, I feel most local churches OVEREMPHASISE the class component and definitely UNDEREMPHASISE the one on one component. Either because, this has never been the Leader’s personal experience, or the response can be “I DO NOT HAVE TIME, IT WOULD BE TOO TIME CONSUMING”, my response is, “Who said it is the Leader’s responsibility to disciple New believers? I sincerely believe EVERY DISCIPLED BELIEVER SHOULD BE A DISCIPLE-MAKER.
The Leader’s responsibility is to Mentor the Disciple-Makers !!!!
I can almost hear my readers saying “John you have said all this before” and yes I have and will continue to do so until, the second element in Biblical Discipleship begins and grows in local churches.
I believe there are some essential truths that need to be taught a New Disciple, and this can be done very well (initially) in a class, but then the one on one component is ESSENTIAL to see that the New Believer is putting it into practice, and to see it becomes their daily lifestyle.
TOPICS SUCH AS:
1.Developing an intimate relationship with God and His Word.
2. How to protect the mind, from the enemy’s attacks, and our sinful nature.
3. Experiencing what is the Believers INHERITANCE NOW to live a victorious holy life.
Now getting back to the sad information I read recently, I guess if I had thought about it, I would have already realised this was a problem, the article said that many people (especially young people) and sadly many Christians (particularly men) are accessing and watching pornography on their smartphones.
You will notice in my list of essential teachings for new Believers is how to protect the mind, and I was immediately reminded of Job 31:1 NKJV as one of the keys/tools/weapons (God has made available to us) that we MUST use. I have made a covenant with my eyes; why then should I look upon a woman?
N.L.T. I made a covenant with my eyes not to look with lust at a young woman.
AMP. O.T. I DICTATED a covenant (an agreement) to my eyes; how then could I look [lustfully] upon a girl? MESSAGE “I made a solemn pact with myself never to undress a girl with my eyes”.
There is no doubt we men are very “VISUAL” and are very impacted instantly with what we look at. Job many thousands of years ago recognised that he needed to make a CONSTANT decision not to look with lust upon a woman.
I am reminded of Jesus’ words in Matt. 5:28 NKJV But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
PASSION if you look with lust in your eyes at the body of a woman who is not your wife, you’ve already committed adultery in your heart.
MESSAGE don’t think you’ve preserved your virtue simply by staying out of bed. Your heart can be corrupted by lust even quicker than your body. Those leering looks you think nobody notices—they also corrupt.
This truth is one of so many that a Disciple-Maker can assist the New Believer to break the practices of the past, as he learns to walk in surrender and CONTINUALLY MAKE A COVENANT WITH HIS EYES.
