I tried to walk on the water and found myself under the sea
So with water up my nose I felt your hand come close to save me
“Just Like You” by Jason Upton
For many years I’ve wondered how discipleship is supposed to work. I’ve experienced discipleship in many forms, and offered it to others in many forms. Sometimes it has been one-on-one conversations, sometimes group teaching. Sometimes it has been a powerfully positive experience, sometimes boring and unproductive. I have to believe that Jesus did discipleship the way it should be done. And he certainly considered this an important topic, telling his disciples in Mt 28:30 to “go and make disciples, teaching them…” which is better translated “make disciples and teach them as you go through life.”
Let’s start with the question, “What is a disciple?” The root meaning of disciple is “learner.” Hence in talking of discipleship we easily think of teacher-student dynamics. This is not wrong. Jesus was called Teacher by many, and Master (meaning Master of the subject being taught). According to Mr Vine, a second meaning of disciple is follower, one who wants to be like the teacher.
Sometimes it helps to avoid “religious” words. Faith is a religious word, with multiple meanings to different people. Disciple is another religious word. If it helps to substitute another word, like mentoring, please do that. We need to think outside the box, and our language makes a difference when we’re trying to break out of the box.
Jesus and Peter walking on the water present a great picture of discipleship, although few use the story for this purpose. Jesus offered a model that Peter wanted to follow, and Peter did! (We overlook that Peter followed the model better than those who stayed in the boat). When Peter needed a helping hand, Jesus offered it. Jesus also offered a word of correction, designed to increase the life of God.
How did Jesus teach?
How did Jesus teach? Did it resemble our modern-day classrooms, with a teacher standing in the front writing on a blackboard (or whiteboard, or projector)? We have the example of the Sermon on the Mount, which is generally considered a compilation of shorter messages given on many occasions. We could almost get the impression that when Jesus taught in larger groups he typically made one key point, often with a story to illustrate. But is this how he taught the twelve?
Since the disciples often came away from these public teachings wondering what he was saying, I think his primary method of teaching was with the smaller group. In fact, I believe Jesus preferred to teach by an Old Testament pattern, the same way God told the Israelites to teach their families.
…you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are away on a journey, when you are lying down and when you are getting up again. Deut 6:6-7 (NLT)
I believe Jesus made disciples primarily by “hanging out” with them, to use a contemporary term.
How does this line up with modern discipleship programs? John Eldredge, in his book “Waking the Dead,” cites a typical church discipleship program: a new members’ class, special courses on finances and evangelism and marriage/parenting, and so on. His concluding question is, “Does a program like this teach people how to apply principles, or how to walk with God?” Many Christians and non-Christians reduce Jesus to a set of teachings. In contrast, I’m certain Jesus himself taught people to walk with God.
The Master-Apprentice Model
Consider again Jesus and Peter walking on the water. Jesus offered a pattern for Peter to follow, and offered help when Peter asked.
How Jesus made disciples can be compared to the master-apprentice model, where the apprentice watches and assists the master, eventually progressing to the point of doing work under the watchful eye of the master. Encouragement and correction are offered by the master as needed, until the apprentice is considered competent to work fairly independently as a journeyman. In time, the experienced journeyman could set up his own shop as a master, and employ others. This model is still employed in the trades in some countries.
As with all metaphors, this comparison has its limitations. The young, growing Christian is able to share his or her faith with others, even leading them to the Lord, the beginning point of discipleship. But obviously those more mature in the Lord are better equipped to make disciples, and will be called on to spend more time doing so.
As you go
Robert E. Coleman, in “The Master Plan of Discipleship,” tells us that the early church did not erect colleges or seminaries. They simply got learners and teachers together in natural settings, where they lived and worked each day. The Bible puts it this way: And they steadfastly persevered, devoting themselves constantly to the instruction and fellowship of the apostles, to the breaking of bread [including the Lord’s Supper] and prayers. Acts 2:42 (Amplified)
This is totally consistent with Mt 28:30, as noted above, where the Great Commission commands us to make disciples “as we go.” So how does this work in the 21st century, where men drive off to the office or factory for the day, and women typically do the same plus assorted errands. When do Christians gather for “fellowship and the breaking of bread?”
Here are some suggestions for those interested in offering discipleship to others.
First, be organic more than organized. Be spontaneous. Certainly regular meetings make it easier to guarantee getting together, but most of us have schedules that are too full already. Settle for getting together once, and see if God wants to do it again. If it happens more than once, or on a semi-regular basis, that’s great, but also recognize that there are seasons. When the relationship is no longer bearing the fruit it once did, be prepared to move on to the next season.
Second, be creative. Be willing to disciple someone over breakfast or lunch. If you’re really creative, do it on a trip to the lumber yard or the grocery store. Even better, if you have a long drive somewhere, take a disciple with you and talk.
Third, be selective. Jesus carefully chose a small number of men in whom he would invest his time and life. Invest time in those who already pray and read their Bible. Continue investing only as long as they respond to the counsel and correction that is offered. This suggests that we pro-actively look for people to disciple, those who seem to be hungry for more of God.
Fourth, learn to pull on the grace of God in order to accomplish what might otherwise lead to burnout. You truly can do all things through Christ when he strengthens you. There is a balance – always be led by the Holy Spirit. But realize He will probably lead you to do more than you feel you can do in the natural.
Fifth, and finally, just be yourself. You do not need “materials” or “outlines” to offer discipleship, although they are fine to use. Share from the store-house of treasure that God has put in you. Tell your story. Anyone who has been walking with God for awhile has a hundred stories to tell. Telling a story to someone hungry for God is often the best way to teach them how to walk with God, which is, after all, the primary purpose of discipleship.
You may think this is an outline just for the obvious leaders (pastors and elders) in the church. No, it is an outline for every Christian who has some measure of maturity in Christ. We are tempted to think the man of God should disciple 100 or 500 people. Jesus did not do this. He discipled twelve men, each of whom was expected to disciple another twelve (or so), and each of them to disciple others, and so forth.
By no means am I a master of discipleship. But my heart is to see true discipleship grow in my church and in my city. Someday I would like to see a “school of discipleship” in Mankato. I don’t know if it will look like a typical Bible College, with administrators, professors, and class rooms, although it might. If there is such a place, I hope it will simply be a hub and inspiration for scores of spontaneous gatherings in homes, offices, factories, coffee shops, and parks. I think that’s how Jesus would do it.
You stand beside me just waiting while I try to go it alone
Smiling You say son come here won’t you let me just help you
I desire
To be like you
Like any son or daughter
I want to be like my Father
“Just Like You” by Jason Upton
