Let’s reimagine discipleship. I don’t believe the “typical” approach today is adequate for the future. For example, a Bible study in and of itself isn’t enough. Now, your head is probably spinning right now as you’re reading the previous sentence again. By the way, you read it right the first time. I’m not against Bible study, so here’s my reasoning. Discipleship is more than information transfer (academic) which is the context for many Bible studies. Simply providing information doesn’t qualify as disciple-making. In fact, authentic discipleship happens when knowledge is experienced through practice. It is the experience component (living out) which defines discipleship.
Jesus taught, but created multiple experiences for His disciples to practice. He trained; He sent. Here’s the rub and I’m to blame here as much as anybody, we haven’t called or given people the opportunity to practice or experience the information they’ve been given. We’re pretty good at partial discipling; I’m convinced we can do better.
Let’s move beyond an academic understanding of discipleship to practicing the practical. Let’s move from buildings, classrooms and living rooms getting beyond the walls. Let’s practice the information we’ve heard. A common Greek words for “know” in Scripture is understood as the knowing by experience. This knowing is more than an knowledge held in the mind, but one’s practice with life. You know it by experience.
Consider the imagery of the farmer and athlete often used to illustrate faith in Scripture. I can read all sorts of books about farming and a particular sport. I can be very well informed. But, it is not until I get my hands dirty or train and compete that I truly understand what it means to be a farmer or an athlete. Simply put the academic exercise of dispensing information doesn’t make one a farmer or an athlete. You become as you live and practice.
Let’s rethink this thing called discipleship and disciple-making. We’re called to this endeavor. How can we create experiences beyond the classroom? How can we move from academic to practical? Discipleship is truly more about living than it is about information gathering.
What does discipleship reimagined look like for you? The first step in rethinking begins with awareness. This awareness motivates us to look for opportunities. What will you do differently?
I agree Brad,wholeheartedly. Well said. I wrote a poem as I was nudged by the Spirit.
TODAY
We became wise in our own eyes, children were murdered and men became wives.
Good became evil and evil was good, morality was lost, anything stood.
Power and lust was the theme of the day, while Christians retreated to churches to pray.
Never confronting the evil at hand, it spread like a plague throughout the land.
We forgot what it meant to be salt and light, the remnant on earth failed to stand and fight.
We will let God handle this all ! , Instead of donning His Armor and standing tall.
The seeds of salvation we failed to sow. How could we expect God’s Kingdom to grow?
Be tolerant and accepting of all! But if we stand for nothing, we stumble and fall.
So now is the time to be silent no more, the gospel of Jesus will open the door.
Sinners, who from their hearts will repent, will come to know He, whom Heaven has sent.
11-01-2016 S. D. J.
Doug, thanks for the comment and thoughts!