MDiW

Understanding Discipleship Part 1

Part 1 of 4 in the initial Understanding Discipleship Series: Ipsos Research conducted a study in 2022 in which 76% of Americans affirmed that Jesus was a historical figure. Even 50% of the unchurched agree. However, when the unchurched were asked to select words they associate with Christians they chose hypocritical (55%), judgmental (54%), and self-righteous (50%) (Jesus in America Study, Ipsos Research, 2022). No one said, “disciple”.
Photo by Pasang Sherpa: https://www.pexels.com/photo/a-man-climbing-a-big-rock-7088212/

Understanding Discipleship Part 2

Part 2 of 4 in the initial Understanding Discipleship Series: The word for disciple in the original Greek text means something far deeper than many of us have experienced. The word mathēteúō, which is the word used for “disciple” in the Great Commission, carries a depth of study that means “to enroll as a scholar”. In this 2nd part of the series, we delve into the knowledge possessed by the disciples and the early church resulting from this deeper level of study and foundational experience. This may surprise some, but the Old Testament, known to Jesus and the Disciples as the Law, The Prophets, and the Writings comprise 75% of the Bible. The Bible I speak of is also known as God’s Word. Many of us have been operating off of a slim portion (a few verses) of the New Testament alone… which means we have a small percentage of 25% of God’s Word in our hearts and lives. How do I eloquently frame this? …. that stinks.   
Photo by Pasang Sherpa: https://www.pexels.com/photo/a-man-climbing-a-big-rock-7088212/

Understanding Discipleship Part 3

Part 3 of 4 in the initial Understanding Discipleship Series: In this episode, I will connect elements of the last two episodes and future ones. I am not saying that as a disciple-making disciples, you should be writing curriculums and conducting classes in some laboratory that spits out mini-disciples fluent in Greek and Hebrew every 12 weeks. However, I am saying that discipleship should be recognized as the most important engagement of our Christian existence. I say that because it’s what Jesus told us to do, it strengthens our relationship with Him by making us more like Him, it equips us to make disciples, and there is nothing but positive impact when we obey God’s Word. When we have strong discipleship, we release our pastors in the local church to do what God called them to do, which is to equip the saints to do the work of ministry!   

Understanding Discipleship Part 4

Part 4 of 4 in the initial Understanding Discipleship Series: As we read the Bible and seek discipleship, we need to remember the disciples knew things many of us did not know when we became Christians. They could grasp elements of God’s Truth that we cannot even begin to consider because we do not have the foundational knowledge they possessed… and they still had their struggles. How can we think this is so easy and all it takes is a raised hand or a nod of acknowledgement and we are good to go? No wonder we live in a culture where an upraised thumb icon makes us think we are actually friends with someone.

Process vs Outcome: The Importance of Order, Part 1.

How many folks profess faith in Christ without Christ’s nature being revealed to them by the Father? Do you see the issue at stake? When we consistently try to appeal to the masses through worldly, comparative, clever, and cute little formulas and productions to convince them they need Jesus ... and they decide to follow Jesus via those worldly means… then we will always have to deploy worldly means to keep those people in our churches. Jesus told Peter he was blessed because the Father revealed Jesus as the Messiah to him. It is significant to note this occurred after a good amount of discipleship. The root cause of the issue we face is that we deliberately, and purposefully, engage in the Christian life “backward” and encourage others to follow us… backwards.