Value of discipleship .................. Parables 427

June 28, 1994

“I’m going to church every Sunday,” explained Vernon to his pastor. “I really don’t need more training on how to live like a Christian. Hearing a good message once a week is enough.”

The pastor didn’t argue with this new Christian. Instead, he talked of other matters, and as he talked he reached down into a small bucket and scooped a handful of water toward an assortment of bottles a few feet away. Some were open, others had lids on them.

Vernon wondered if his pastor was working too hard. As their discussion continued, every few minutes he reached again into the pail and tossed water at the bottles. Finally Vernon asked, “What are you doing with that water?”

“Oh, I’m trying to fill those bottles over there.”

“But why don’t you pick up the pail and pour it in, one bottle at a time?”

“Well, Vernon, doing it this way is something like preaching. I know not every bottle gets filled up like it should, but I do my best.”

Vernon laughed. “I get your point. So when are you going to start discipling me?”

Some form of personal training is an important part of learning how to follow Christ. Jesus modeled it when He selected and taught the twelve men who were His disciples. He spent three years showing them and telling them how to minister to others. The instruction was tailored to their individual needs.

This form of teaching, usually called “one-on-one discipleship,” was stressed by the Apostle Paul in his letter to Timothy: “And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.”

While that verses uses the word “men,” it is in a generic sense. The idea of discipleship certainly included women. Paul told another pastor, “Teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can train the younger women...”

Individual discipleship is very important for several reasons. First, as the mentor gets to know the disciple, he or she has opportunity to help them with specific problems and needs. New Christians particularly want individual attention and feel uncomfortable sharing personal problems in a larger group. Sermons may help them, yet sermons are not always directly related to the need of the moment for every person listening.

Second, new Christians have many questions. They need to discuss these, as well as give opinions, and test their ideas in a non-threatening setting. Some issues may trouble them, even to the point that when they come to church they are so preoccupied they do not hear what the pastor is saying. They are like jars with lids on them. With a personal mentor, they can raise questions and discuss issues.

Third, faith is reinforced when the one who believes can verbally express exactly what they believe. Even though some worship services allow a time for people in the congregation to share, practicing with a mentor makes sharing less intimidating and a more natural part of a believer’s experience.

Jesus did preach to the multitudes and a few responded positively; however when it came time to decide, it was the small group of disciples who continued to follow Christ. They had been well trained and would go on to train others.

In contrast many, who at one time crowded around Jesus, eventually cried out, “Crucify Him, Crucify Him.”

Caring for new life ....................... Parables 098

Now and then an abandoned but living baby is discovered on a doorstep, in a public washroom, or sometimes in a garbage can. Given the privilege of birth, it lives - but without the concern of society and the specific assistance of individuals and organizations, it wouldn’t live for long. 

Christians have a similar concern regarding new-born spiritual babies.

Jesus, just before He ascended to heaven after His resurrection, gave a commandment that has become known as the “Great Commission.” Most Christians know it by memory: “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” (Matthew 28:19,20) 

It is a “great” commission. This was the way that Christ intended that spiritual reproduction and growth should occur. The process begins with birth: the Word of God is implanted in a receptive heart; and it mysteriously works by the power of the Spirit of God to bring a person to faith and a living union with Jesus Christ... “If any one is in Christ Jesus, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” (2 Corinthians 5:17) 

This spiritual birth is absolutely essential. Jesus told Nicodemus, a Jewish religious leader, “I tell you the truth, unless a man is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God... or enter into it” (John 3:3,5). 

Washed clean from sin and guilt, the believing person is given a place in God’s family as he or she receives Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. “...to all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God - children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will but born of God” (John 1:12,13). 

The excitement in God’s family over a new birth is at least equal to the joy in a loving family after a physical birth; yet in a spiritual birth the new “babe” also enters into the celebration. In fact, he may be the most excited of all... he has come out of darkness into the light of God’s love and truth. He knows that he has been transformed by Christ and now belongs to Him. 

Shortly after spiritual birth, the new Christian experiences hunger for large doses of his “milk”, the Word of God. Most of the time he gets nurtured and brought to maturity through the Scriptures and the shared knowledge and experience of mature believers who have been faithful to the command in the great commission. (II Timothy 2:2) 

But sometimes the baby is abandoned. No one picks him up off the delivery room floor, cleans his eyes out, lovingly wraps him, or gives him regular feedings until he is able to feed himself. Sometimes this babe is picked up by a cult and nurtured by false teaching - resulting in doctrinal distortion, loss of victory over sin - and loss of joy. 

I’ve wondered how the Lord Jesus responds when He sees the abandoned babes? How does He feel when these babes struggle in immaturity? I know how the babes feel. 

The Bible is clear that both birth and nurturing are part of the great commission. New babes in the Lord are not to be abandoned but taught by those who have already reached a measure of maturity.

And it is never too late to begin.