Elementary School Discipleship
September 16, 2011
The entire goal of the disciple makeer is to bring someone to the point where they learn to Follow Christ (by themselves), they allow Christ to change them to be more like Him (through the work of the Word of God and the work of the Holy Spirit.).And the greatest blessing of all for the disciple maker is the releasing of a disciple who is confident and competent in making other disciples, who will then make other disciples and so on.
"Come FOLLOW me, I will MAKE you, fishers of men (Disciple makers)". Matthew 4:19
Releasing a mature disciple looks like they are becomig independant but in reality their maturity has brought them into a deeper more dependant relationship with their Heavenly Father. Now their direction, purpose and encouragement comes not from others but from Christ Himself.
It's pretty funny to watch a kid who is about 3-4 start to become independant.. At first it almost comes accross as rebellion. "NO!! I'll do it!" - but in reality this is a very good thing that can easily be squashed by daddy (trust me I've been there) Watching your child fumble around and take 30 minutes for a 2 minute job is difficult - but this is discipleship.
Our elderly neighbor was sitting on his deck watching me and my son work together(probably laughing because he had had three boys as well) . After Bo had gone inside I must have looked a little flustered and as he approached I cringed becasue I knew I had been impatient. He smiled and simply said..."It always takes time to teach your kids to do something right....and it takes failure"
What a profound thought that we often miss in the process of discipleship. We often try to rush people into maturity so that we can thrust responsibility on them. Shake our heads when they fail, and then get frustrated with them when they are too busy to serve or are unwilling to try again.
It's hard to let your kids do it their way while gently coaching them. It's sometimes painful to watch. But walk with them, help them, allow them to fail and encourage them to try again and you have raised up someone who will be competent and confident.
THIS IS DISCIPLESHIP.
Christ did it! Read the Gospels and watch his interactions with His disciples especially Peter.
|
