DO YOU NEED A DISCIPLE-MAKER OR MENTOR?
Many Ministries involved in Discipleship and Leadership Training are convinced that the process of Discipleship is NOT a short term endeavour but in many ways a life time experience for the Disciple, the title may change to say Mentoring, but it is definitely NOT a 4-6 week class, (although it may and should involve some group class work). In relationship to Discipleship and today’s blog, a there are twokey words I want to emphasise is SUPERVISION & ACCOUNTABILITY , Sadly,some modern interpretations of what is Discipleship are not dissimilar to simply throwing a baby into a swimming pool and say NOW SWIM.
Jesus says we are to MAKE DISCIPLES, Matt. 28:18-20 NKJV And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and MAKE disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
PASSION Then Jesus came close to them and said, “All the authority of the universe has been given to me. Now go in my authority and MAKE disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. And teach them to faithfully follow all that I have commanded you. And never forget that I am with you every day, even to the completion of this age.”
N.L.T. Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and MAKE disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to OBEY all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
MESSAGE Jesus, undeterred, went right ahead and gave his charge: “God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and TRAIN everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I’ll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age.”
Making a Disciple is walking with the new Believer (for as long as it takes) and SUPERVISING, INSTRUCTING, and TRAINING them until they come to that place of growing evident maturity. The Disciple-Maker has got to be practically involved in the new Believer’s life, I am so thankful for technology, for as well as regularly meeting with the person, (one on one, face to face) we have social media, and video Whatsapp or Zoom that makes regular contact so much more readily available.
The relationship may change from Disciple-maker to Mentor, but the SUPERVISION & ACCOUNTABILITY must continue, the person/s may change but the principle and truth ever remains
Some say we aussies like to be “Lone Rangers” and do our own thing, and not be accountable, but there is so much SAFETY in SUPERVISION AND ACCOUNTABILITY.
As well as all the spiritual components that are needed to become part of a Believer’s life, there are so many other areas of truth and teaching that must be given to the New Believer, as the Christian lifestyle is so different to the lifestyle of those who are outside of Christ. Paul describes a Believer as a letter or an epistle in 2 Cor. 3:2 KJV Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men:
MESSAGE Your very lives are a letter that anyone can read by just looking at you.
There is a saying, WHAT WE ARE, SPEAKS LOUDER THAN WHAT WE SAY, and unbelievers spend a lot of time “reading” us, we bring a lot of bad habits with us when we are born again, and it takes often a considerable period if time for these “bad” habits to be replaced by a Christian lifestyle, This is one reason (for example) why Biblical Discipleship is essential.
Another very important area in Discipleship is found in the word that is so related to the word Disciple that is DISCIPLINE, few of us are as disciplined as we should be, I am very conscious personally that although in many ways I am “retired” I must continue to ORDER MY PRIVATE WORLD and not get sloppy and lazy, and put off until tomorrow what I should do today, Biblical Discipleship includes helping both a New Believer or a DEVELOPING Ministry, to know how to “order his private world” this is again why SUPERVISION AND ACCOUNTABILITY ARE ESSENTIAL KEYS IN OUR CHRISTIAN DEVELOPMENT.
George McDonald the Chancellor of Denver Seminary, and Pastor Emeritus of Grace Chapel in Lexington Massachusetts, and editor at large of “LEADERSHIP JOURNAL”, has written numerous books including one entitled “Ordering your private world. I recommend to my readers you seek to obtain it.
Have you ever been Discipled?? even though you may have been a Christian for a number of years, I highly recommend to you that you seek out a Disciple-Maker and let him walk with you, into a deeper intimate relationship with the Lord.
Do you have a Mentor/s ? Every Ministry should have someone to be accountable too.
In both these areas, “don’t rush in where angels fear to tread” take it slowly, build a friendship first, and let the Holy Spirit lead you, if I can assist you in any way, please feel free to email me, and we can communicate on this very important matter.
My email address is [email protected].
Once again today I probably have not said anything new, but may the Holy Spirit prompt you to do something about it TODAY, it is one of the most important decisions you will ever make, and could change your life and ministry.
GOD BLESS YOU.
