Questions of Discipleship...

The older in the faith isn't always the older in birthdays. Both can learn from the other.

Who are we to disciple? There is nothing more frustrating to this teacher than a student that doesn't want to learn. Matthew 7:6 tells us “Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces." Your time is valuable, don't waste it pushing your beliefs on others. Ask the Spirit to guide you. Jesus spoke Truth to whomever came listening but He only invested His personal time in a select few that sought to follow Him.

What does it mean to disciple?

Matthew 28 tells us that what we are to teach our disciples to observe that which Jesus commanded us. Matthew 22 elaborates for us the two greatest commandments. The first is to love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. The second is to love your neighbor as yourself. How are we to disciple? One way to disciple is by example...but it must be intentional.  1 Corinthians 11 : 1 says, "Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ."  If the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5 : 22 + 23) is evident in you, God's love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control will be on display for those you disciple to learn from your example. Why do we disciple? We are to disciple because that is how we grow toward spiritual maturity. We seek guidance from those that have gone before us and offer guidance to those that follow after us. "As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming;but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all into Him who is the head, Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held togetherby what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.  Ephesians 4:13 This is not just about personal maturity. This applies to the spiritual maturity of the church, the full body of believers. Want more tips on Discipleship? Check out this list of Ten Practical How-Tos of Discipleship from Downline Ministries.

Father,

Guide me to the people you want me to enter into discipleship with. Open my eyes to the opportunities that you are putting in front of me. Give me the courage to step out of my comfort zone to extend your love to another. Protect my heart that the pain of rejection will be replaced with the truth that I'm not the one being rejected. You are. Help me to love them well so they can get an accurate glimpse of You... that I can't eclipse Your light in their eyes.

-me