The Questions come: "I've never been discipled so how can I disciple someone?"
Well I am sorry that no one ever took the time to begin to meet with you, to encourage you to develop your spiritual life. I believe it is a crucial way to get a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ, to build unity between brothers and sisters in the faith of Christ-followers, to develop a bolder community to reach the world. But this is becoming a lost art that I believe MUST be reversed starting today! Really, there is no excuse for us who identify ourselves as Christ-followers to not begin to take responsibility for those who are younger than us. Even if it is not an element that we have experienced.
I am gonna give you some homework and then make an offer and let's begin to reverse the trend...
Homework:
Within a reasonable amount of time (1-3 hours) develop a list of topics / concepts / ideas that YOU are convinced are essential for someone who is identifying herself / himself as a Christ-Follower. After a day or so go back over the list and tweak your list. As a guideline think about 10 topics...
The Offer: If you are willing to take on this challenge, I will talk you through the next steps in beginning to be a Barnabas in someone's life just make a comment or send me an email. ( marty_purks@ivstaff.org )
Showing posts with label Barnabas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Barnabas. Show all posts
Monday, February 18, 2008
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Time for God?
Could it be that not having enough time to read the Bible and spend time with God because of all of the things we have to do is a good enough reason to not do it?
What do I mean? Am I saying that because of how gracious He is and also because some of us have been "in the Faith" a very long time that there is no longer a need to intentionally read the Bible or spend a concentrated time talking to Him? It seems like that could be a disease that many of us have caught.
We ARE very busy aren't we? It is a sign of our culture. It is a form of greeting that we give each other. "I am so busy!", "I've got so much to do; I am so stressed!" I can't believe the work I have to do. I'm at least a week behind." So when we work up our daily task list we put everything in its place. We prioritize the most important things first. We make sure we put at the top those things we can't ignore. That paper with the deadline; or the contract that must be signed and researched. The potential property that must be built. All these things scream "ME FIRST!" And we believe that is what really matters.
On the other hand... God is not clamoring to be at the top of the list. In fact, because of our experience with Bible Reading and Prayer we feel like he doesn't even need to be near the top. After all we will be able to catch up with that stuff after the important things are done. We know that God will understand. And also, because of that transformation / Holy Spirit thing - I believe God will give me what I need when I need it even if I am not prepared. Thank you Lord for meeting me where I am.
Wait, Wait, Wait!!! No, this is not a relationship! This is some kind of Convenience Store. that's right a spiritual convenience store. When we don't have time to do the real shopping or real preparation, we rely on the WAWA to get the essentials. That is how we are approaching our relationship with God. But it is a relationship. As in any relationship it takes time, effort, time, focus, time, creativity. It would be absurd if I thought that my relationship with Carolyn, in the early days would progress by just spending 7 minutes a week with her. It took hours. And it was hours that I wanted to spend with her. And you know what it still takes hours - 30 years later!
So it is with the Lord, I want to spend time with Him. I get to spend time with Him. And magically as I spend time with God - I know Him better. I can hear His voice better.
It's not about being legalistic, it's about a relationship
What do I mean? Am I saying that because of how gracious He is and also because some of us have been "in the Faith" a very long time that there is no longer a need to intentionally read the Bible or spend a concentrated time talking to Him? It seems like that could be a disease that many of us have caught.
We ARE very busy aren't we? It is a sign of our culture. It is a form of greeting that we give each other. "I am so busy!", "I've got so much to do; I am so stressed!" I can't believe the work I have to do. I'm at least a week behind." So when we work up our daily task list we put everything in its place. We prioritize the most important things first. We make sure we put at the top those things we can't ignore. That paper with the deadline; or the contract that must be signed and researched. The potential property that must be built. All these things scream "ME FIRST!" And we believe that is what really matters.
On the other hand... God is not clamoring to be at the top of the list. In fact, because of our experience with Bible Reading and Prayer we feel like he doesn't even need to be near the top. After all we will be able to catch up with that stuff after the important things are done. We know that God will understand. And also, because of that transformation / Holy Spirit thing - I believe God will give me what I need when I need it even if I am not prepared. Thank you Lord for meeting me where I am.
Wait, Wait, Wait!!! No, this is not a relationship! This is some kind of Convenience Store. that's right a spiritual convenience store. When we don't have time to do the real shopping or real preparation, we rely on the WAWA to get the essentials. That is how we are approaching our relationship with God. But it is a relationship. As in any relationship it takes time, effort, time, focus, time, creativity. It would be absurd if I thought that my relationship with Carolyn, in the early days would progress by just spending 7 minutes a week with her. It took hours. And it was hours that I wanted to spend with her. And you know what it still takes hours - 30 years later!
So it is with the Lord, I want to spend time with Him. I get to spend time with Him. And magically as I spend time with God - I know Him better. I can hear His voice better.
It's not about being legalistic, it's about a relationship
Friday, July 14, 2006
Discipling Part 2
Am I approaching this all too simply?
In a conversation this AM, I said: "There is a great need for men to "disciple" men." In reply, a friend said, "Discipleship is really hard!".
As you can probably imagine, my quick reply was: "Oh, it is not. It is very easy if you can just take a little initiative, then you can disciple." The conversation got kindof intense at this point. As the talk ensued we really embarked on the 2 primary tracks of discipling, Curriculum and Process.
His reply to me was: "Discipling is more than just hanging out with another man. It is intentionally helping him grow in:
1) Assurance of salvation
2) Daily study of the Word
3) Articulating the whole Gospel to a seeker.
4) Learning to forgive and offer forgiveness.
5) Being in a church, a small group and regular fellowship.
6) Talking to God regularly. (prayer).
Most men do not have the knowledge or the resources to be able to train another man in these areas. They really just have the time to spend daily time in the Word themselves and try to raise their families in a Godly way."
OK, I was pretty upset at this point!
I cannot take exception with these points. I really believe them! I actually kindof use these "topics" in my discipling. It is the classic Curriculum model of discipling. But my struggle is the attitude of how we need to be prepared in order to disciple (or evangelize, or share a testimony or whatever). And we are so "busy" or whatever that we cannot take the initiative. I would contend - like riding a bike - once we start doing it we get better & better!
Am I totally naive here?
Of course discipling is more than getting together and talking about the World Cup (which we men tend to do). But I am convinced, as I meet with another guy, talk about sports, then family, then work, then 'How I(we) have seen God at work in my(our) life this week' then we are "discipling". Or maybe we can talk about how the sermon on temptation on Sunday really helped me in my personal struggles this week.
So for me Discipling is less about agenda and curriculum and more about taking initiative, getting to know another believer and sharing the big picture of what God is doing in us and around us. It's a process of helping another believer learn to grow closer to Christ.
In a conversation this AM, I said: "There is a great need for men to "disciple" men." In reply, a friend said, "Discipleship is really hard!".
As you can probably imagine, my quick reply was: "Oh, it is not. It is very easy if you can just take a little initiative, then you can disciple." The conversation got kindof intense at this point. As the talk ensued we really embarked on the 2 primary tracks of discipling, Curriculum and Process.
His reply to me was: "Discipling is more than just hanging out with another man. It is intentionally helping him grow in:
1) Assurance of salvation
2) Daily study of the Word
3) Articulating the whole Gospel to a seeker.
4) Learning to forgive and offer forgiveness.
5) Being in a church, a small group and regular fellowship.
6) Talking to God regularly. (prayer).
Most men do not have the knowledge or the resources to be able to train another man in these areas. They really just have the time to spend daily time in the Word themselves and try to raise their families in a Godly way."
OK, I was pretty upset at this point!
I cannot take exception with these points. I really believe them! I actually kindof use these "topics" in my discipling. It is the classic Curriculum model of discipling. But my struggle is the attitude of how we need to be prepared in order to disciple (or evangelize, or share a testimony or whatever). And we are so "busy" or whatever that we cannot take the initiative. I would contend - like riding a bike - once we start doing it we get better & better!
Am I totally naive here?
Of course discipling is more than getting together and talking about the World Cup (which we men tend to do). But I am convinced, as I meet with another guy, talk about sports, then family, then work, then 'How I(we) have seen God at work in my(our) life this week' then we are "discipling". Or maybe we can talk about how the sermon on temptation on Sunday really helped me in my personal struggles this week.
So for me Discipling is less about agenda and curriculum and more about taking initiative, getting to know another believer and sharing the big picture of what God is doing in us and around us. It's a process of helping another believer learn to grow closer to Christ.
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