CALL TO DISCIPLESHIP
2 Timothy 2:2; (The Apostle Paul to Timothy)
"And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also."
So often the Scriptures identify the LORD as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Through this we see God as a Father who is concerned about the generations. Paul knows this and exhorts Timothy to be "generational in his thinking" like he is. It is not enough to just reach the children, but the goal should be to reach the children's children. In other words everyone who disciples should have the future generations in mind.
Proverbs 13:22;
"A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children."
Paul tells Timothy to take what he has received from him in discipleship and disciple the faithful men, who will be able to disciple others. Carefully notice that there are four generations here; Paul, Timothy, faithful men and the others. Paul is like a father; Timothy is like a son, the "faithful men" are like the grandchildren and the "others" are like the great grandchildren. Paul is exhorting Timothy to keep God's vision going forward into the future generations that they too may have life abundantly.
The advancement of the Kingdom of God through the generations comes by discipleship. Teaching is not enough as that just builds up knowledge. But the ones who have knowledge and give it practical application in their own lives and encourage others to do the same, are true disciples. As true disciples, they understand that having relationships and walking with other disciples is crucial to their spiritual health. Paul laid out a clear path for Timothy to accomplish the purposes that the Lord had for him in his generation and to extend that purpose to future generations.
Biblical discipleship is not fulfilled in a class, but is very personal and takes place in a one on one relationship that addresses gifting, character, personality, relationships, calling, vocation, and direction. The context of discipleship at its core is surely personal, but the greater goal is how can this discipleship bless the congregation of the saints and further the purposes of the Kingdom of God. Discipleship teaches, encourages, corrects, disciplines and releases. It is designed to get us to where the LORD wants us and not to where we want to go.
Jehoshaphat, the King of Judah , the great, great, great grandson of David knew that the people of Judah lacked knowledge and understanding of the Lord their God. So, in the third year of his reign, He sent his best educated leaders and the Levites, all of whom carried the books of the law, to teach and disciple the people throughout all of Judah in the ways of the Lord their God . Through that instruction and discipleship the people of Judah were prepared to face the approaching enemy, and to seek their God, and to trust Him for the victory, which He gave them with no loss of life among themselves.
The Scriptures teach in so many places that the quality of our lives is based on the amount of discipleship we seek. Pastors and teachers should not have to seek us out; we should seek them out. The leaders of the church have been entrusted with a very important obligation and that is to DISCIPLE.
Matthew 28:19-20;
"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.”
FOUR PHASES OF DISCIPLESHIP
1.)
CRISIS - pain to remain the same is greater than the pain to change. Not God's best.
Goes from crisis to crisis. Becomes crisis solving and not true discipleship, but helpful.
2.)
CASUAL - conversational, suggestive. Two responses by the disciple;
(A) take to God and act on it or
(B) doubt its validity and overtake the counsel with their own opinion or desire.
If "B" is always the choice then there is no discipleship and the person "pastors" their own life.
3.)
SYSTEMIC - regular, formal, ongoing discipleship which bears fruit, but goes at the pace of the disciple.
Creates a "nice person of God" and is worthy discipleship.
4.)
INTENSE - consuming, inconvenient, accelerated, highly productive, reserved for leadership.
It is designed to increase disciples responsibility in the kingdom as well as personal and home.
Totally effects the family and everyone around him to the betterment of God's total will for his and their lives.
The pace is set by the Lord thru the discipler. Creates a person whose walk provokes others to seek discipleship.
CHARACTERISTICS OF A TRUE DISCIPLE
They are submitted to Christ in their daily lives and to those that have authority.
They understand lines of authority and operate in them.
They are accountable, responsible, teachable and correctible.
They are people oriented. Serving involves PEOPLE.
They are task oriented and are great stewards over their assignments.
They love to be released to do, but also love oversight.
They are more concerned about DOING than Title or Position.
They know the inconvenience of sacrifice. They serve when it is inconvenient.
They will serve to their own hurt if called upon by the Lord.
They know how to “bless the house.” God’s house and their own house.
They are benevolent and attend to others’ needs both material and spiritual.
They know how to walk as one with others before the Lord.
They get life by serving and give life by serving.