Discipleship is an important process in our walk with the Lord. In our culture, we lack genuine relationships, but Jesus did His work of discipling by teaching His followers and personally spending time with them.
18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 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, 20 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.” Amen.
We live in a culture where opinions are plentiful, and it doesn’t take much effort to post a scripture or a nice thought. However, it is much harder to live it out. It takes more effort to be willing to be discipled or to disciple someone else.
Discipleship this should be preached from the pulpit, and we should encourage people to seek discipleship. Many people have been raised with inattentive or absent parents. Even those who had good parents may not have been adequately prepared in spiritual matters. Some need discipleship in certain areas, such as being a spiritual leader of the house or managing finances God’s way. It takes humility to admit that we need help and seek the assistance of others to be discipled.
Furthermore, there are many who have much spiritual deposit in their lives and can disciple others. We can make ourselves available to spend time with someone and help them along their walk with the Lord. Some complain about the direction our country is heading. Let’s do something about it by getting involved in the life of someone younger in the Lord. We can change a culture when individuals are changed by the power of God!
Living out God’s principles happens in relationships. Sometimes we deceive ourselves into thinking that speaking on an issue means we are also living it. This reminds me of the various cooking channels. I’ve watched probably hundreds of them over the years and may have shared a few recipes on social media, but they haven’t changed my style of cooking, my use of ingredients, or the recipes I use. Somehow they make me feel good that I learned a new technique or recipe, but in reality, they haven’t added anything to my cooking skills. Similarly, we may feel inspired by various posts or inspire others, but we need genuine relationships to truly grow in the Lord!
Jesus’ discipleship was not distant learning, and neither did He give His followers a drive-by scripture hoping they would get spiritual truths on their own. He was present by teaching them, showing them, and living their lives as an example.
Have you ever been discipled? Are you willing to ask for help? If you have been discipled years ago, are you making yourself available to disciple others?
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