Tag: disciple

Making Disciples

Acts 11:26 And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.

Interesting things happen when I am working in the yard digging in the dirt. I am able to settle my mind, and just talk to the Lord. I ask a lot of questions about things I’m seeing that I don’t understand. And since I understand so little, there are a LOT of questions.

Anyway, as I was moving one of those 80# blocks for the retainer wall–(did you know that 80# did not used to be so heavy?!? I don’t know what they put in those things, but they certainly weigh more than they did 40 years ago!)–I began laughing at how backward we have become in the church.

There is a major move on today to make disciples within the churches. This is a good thing, but not the best thing.

Jesus told us to go into all the world and make disciples of all nations.

As the gospel has become more watered down to make it more appealing to more people, we have this interesting situation where pastors are calling their people to become disciples. It seems that we went into all the world and made Christians of all people–but few disciples.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer, in his seminal work “The Cost of Discipleship,” made it clear that being a disciple is much more demanding than the greasy grace to which many have been called. It was so demanding for him in Nazi Germany that he lost his life as a result.

The term “Christian” was first used as a pejorative term, a slam against the disciples who so stood out from the rest of humanity that others mocked them. Their discipleship was so visible that a nickname had to be given.

So, the joke now is: “Where will the Christians first be called disciples?”

Words

Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.

I grew up believing that lie. Now as an adult, I still suffer the consequences of that deception.

Words can break the spirit. Words can wound. Words can kill.

Words can build up. Words can heal. Words can give life.

Pro 18:21

Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.

It is very important that we learn to think about and listen to what we are saying.

Gracie and I are in a tremendous battle to gain healing from a fight we had yesterday. Words were part of the cause for the pain we both experienced.

So, this morning, on the way to church, I had a good example of how important it is for me to guard my speech and to choose the right words.

I went out to the car ahead of her, and decided to let her drive. So, I got in on the passenger side. The car was running when she came down the stairs. Since she was in heels, she was carefully watching where she was going, walking with that beautiful grace she has. She was coming to the passenger side when I called out, “Wrong side.”

Then I got to thinking about that, and broached the subject with her as we were driving along. I asked if she had felt ‘corrected’ by my statement of “wrong side.” She said no. But, can you agree with me that “Other side” might have been more appropriate? “Wrong” is a negative, corrective term. And even though I had no intention of correcting anything, it could have been perceived that way. Fortunately for us, since we are both very tender right now, she did not receive it that way.

Is this being too picky? Do I have to be concerned about every single little word and nuance before I speak?

For me, the answer is YES.

Jesus said, “The words that I speak are spirit and life.” (John 6:63)

Luk 6:40

“A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher.”

It is my desire to be like the master to whom I am discipled.