.jpg) |
| by Neil Anderson |
THE DEFINITION OF DISCIPLESHIP
1 Thessalonians 5:11
Encourage one another, and build up one another, just as you also are doing
Jesus' primary call to His disciples is seen in His words "Come to Me" (Matthew 11:28) and "Follow Me" (Matthew 4:19).
Mark records: "He appointed twelve, that they might be with Him, and that He might send them out to preach, and to have authority to cast out the demons" (Mark 3:14, 15). Notice that Jesus' relationship with His disciples preceded His assignment to them.
Mark records: "He appointed twelve, that they might be with Him, and that He might send them out to preach, and to have authority to cast out the demons" (Mark 3:14, 15). Notice that Jesus' relationship with His disciples preceded His assignment to them.
Discipleship is the intensely personal activity of two or more persons helping each other experience a growing relationship with God. Discipleship is being before doing, maturity before ministry, character before career.
Every Christian, including you, is both a disciple and a discipler in the context of his Christian relationships.
You have the awesome privilege and responsibility both to be a teacher and a learner of what it means to be in Christ, walk in the spirit and live by faith.
You may have a role in your family, church or Christian community which gives you specific responsibility for discipling others, such as husband/father, pastor, Sunday school teacher, discipleship group leader, etc.
But even as an appointed discipler, you are never not a disciple who is learning and growing in Christ through your relationships.
Conversely, you may not have an "official" responsibility to disciple anyone, but you are never not a discipler.
You have the opportunity to help your children, your friend, and other believers grow in Christ through your caring and committed relationship with them.
You have the awesome privilege and responsibility both to be a teacher and a learner of what it means to be in Christ, walk in the spirit and live by faith.
You may have a role in your family, church or Christian community which gives you specific responsibility for discipling others, such as husband/father, pastor, Sunday school teacher, discipleship group leader, etc.
But even as an appointed discipler, you are never not a disciple who is learning and growing in Christ through your relationships.
Conversely, you may not have an "official" responsibility to disciple anyone, but you are never not a discipler.
You have the opportunity to help your children, your friend, and other believers grow in Christ through your caring and committed relationship with them.
Similarly, every Christian is both a counselor and counselee in the context of his Christian relationships.
A good counselor should be a good discipler, and a good discipler should be a good counselor. Biblically, they are the same role.
Your level of maturity may dictate that you do a lot of Christian counseling.
But there will still be times when you need to seek or receive the counsel of other Christians. There will never be a day when we don't need each other.
A good counselor should be a good discipler, and a good discipler should be a good counselor. Biblically, they are the same role.
Your level of maturity may dictate that you do a lot of Christian counseling.
But there will still be times when you need to seek or receive the counsel of other Christians. There will never be a day when we don't need each other.
Prayer: Father, help me remember that I will never be so mature that I need not receive godly counsel from my brothers and sisters in Christ.
.jpg)
Prayer: Thank You, Lord, that I can trust You with the details and direction of my life today.
Recovery Help share
Not for profit community service devotional
No ownership of materials are implied.
CHANGING DIRECTIONS
Psalm 25:5 NIV Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are God my Savior, and my hope is in You all day long.
The next five questionsto ask yourself regarding God's will are to help you when facing a change in direction.
Is it reasonable?
God expects us to think.His guidance may transcend human reasoning, but it never excludes it.God doesn't bypass our mind; He operates through it:
"Brethren, do not be children in your thinking; yet in evil be babes, but in your thinking be mature" (1 Corinthians 14:20).
Psalm 25:5 NIV Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are God my Savior, and my hope is in You all day long.
The next five questionsto ask yourself regarding God's will are to help you when facing a change in direction.
Is it reasonable?
God expects us to think.His guidance may transcend human reasoning, but it never excludes it.God doesn't bypass our mind; He operates through it:
"Brethren, do not be children in your thinking; yet in evil be babes, but in your thinking be mature" (1 Corinthians 14:20).
We are warned in Scripture not to put our mind in neutral. We are to think and practice what we know to be true (Philippians 4:8, 9).
Does a realistic opportunity exist? Closed doors are not meant to be knocked down. If you have a hopeless scheme, let it go. If it isn't God's timing, wait. If a realistic opportunity exists, and all the other factors are in agreement, then take the plunge. God may open a window of opportunity, but it will close if not taken advantage of. The faithless man asks, "What do I stand to lose if I do?" The faithful man asks, "What do I risk losing if I don't?"
Are unbiased, spiritually sensitive associates in agreement? Be careful not to consult only those who will agree with you. Give your advisors permission to ask hard questions. Don't be afraid of "no" answers. If it isn't God's will, don't you want to know before you make the mistake of acting impulsively?
Do I have a sanctified desire? Don't think that being in the will of God must always be an unpleasant task. The joy of the Lord should be our strength. I find my greatest joy in serving God and being in His will. But don't get the idea that if everything is wonderful, you must be in the will of God. Is this a desire to satisfy a lust of the flesh or a Spirit-filled desire to see God's kingdom established and people helped?
Do I have a peace about it? This is an inner peace. Is the peace of God guarding your heart and mind?
If you have been able to answer yes to all 10 of these deciding factors, what are you waiting for?
Stop chasing man made unobtainable ghosts.
ReplyDeleteThe only thing new under the sun is the terminology.