Feeling underqualified?

The last of three posts on "Go and make disciples."

Key Scripture Passage
"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”  Matthew 28:19 NIV

Reflection

My first thought when I read “Go and make disciples“ is to ask, “Lord how can I do that when I am hardly able to be a good disciple myself?” Then I read on to verse 20, “teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”  I know I don’t obey everything nor do I even know all that He commanded and I feel totally under qualified for this job. But as I read on Jesus reassures me “I am with you always”.

So how do we become disciples that feel qualified to “Go and make disciples?”

Well, we have to know the One whom we are disciples of.  Do I really know Jesus? Am I really a disciple? is the first question I ask myself.  What makes a person a disciple? The American Heritage Dictionary defines disciple as a noun meaning, one who embraces and assists in spreading the teachings of another; an active adherent, of a movement or philosophy. Am I embracing and spreading what Jesus taught? Am I actively adhering to the teachings and philosophies of Jesus in my daily life?

These questions begin to stir conviction in my heart because the answers are not "yes" as I know they should be. What am I to do, give up completely and say I am hopeless. I will never be good enough? Absolutely not.  Although that is what Satan whispers in my ear almost daily, I press on towards the goal.

I realize that the 5-10 minute devotional I’ve been doing whenever I can fit it in and the popcorn prayers are not enough if I really want to become more like the One whom I claim to be a disciple of. I must challenge myself; and begin reading the scriptures in a thoughtful way, not just to check it off my “to do” list.  I must really let the Holy Spirit speak to me through the words on the page. My prayer time should look more like Jesus’ -- set apart, purposeful, asking Him to show me ways that I can apply what He is teaching me in my life. Beware of what you ask the Lord because He is faithful.  Ask and you will receive.

Recently I have been coming up against all sorts of temptations since taking on a more intentional discipleship role. It is crazy how quickly Satan and our flesh try to dishearten us once we take steps toward moving from complacent Christianity to true discipleship. It is affirming when I have victory over these temptations. I see how I am applying His word to my life and how the Holy Spirit is strengthening me. With each passing day I realize it is not about the knowledge I possess but about the position of my heart. Am I bowed down to Jesus saying not my will but Yours Lord or am I living my life and fitting Jesus in?  Before we can go and make disciples we must determine in our own mind if we are really disciples of His and be honest with ourselves and God. It’s time to prepare for the mission at hand and say goodbye to half-hearted discipleship.

Questions to Consider

Are you embracing and spreading what Jesus taught? Are you actively adhering to the teachings and philosophies of Jesus in your daily life?

Action Steps for the Week

Read Revelation 3:15-17.  Confess and repent of lukewarm discipleship. Read the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) and look for opportunities to obey everything Jesus has commanded.

It seems easy, doesn't it?

The second of three posts on "Go and make disciples."

Until you have to actually do it.

Key Scripture Passage

"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”  Matthew 28:19-20 ESV

Reflection

"Go make disciples"! That seems easy enough, right? But, not really when you get down to actually doing it?

But I want to encourage you to do it even though you might not even know where to start or what to do. I want to encourage you to get involved with making disciples, not simply because Jesus told us to (although that should be reason enough) but because it is part of experiencing and extending the Kingdom of Heaven.

I think the early Christians had a pretty good idea of how to do this discipleship thing. The New Testament gives us some insight into how they did it but it was an integral part of who they were as a community so they left out a lot of details. Over time the church has lost many of the discipleship skills and practices. But we don't have to leave it this way. God wants us to experience Him and His kingdom so the world will know that He is God. Sure we'll make some mistakes trying to learn to disciple, but with humble, prayerful hearts the Spirit will show us the way.

So, how do we get started? Let me suggest something that is working for me - put yourself in God's path. Go out and get involved in something - join a club, volunteer to tutor kids or adults, offer to help someone with a home remodel, or change their oil, or feed the cows or balance a budget. It doesn't really matter what it is, just get involved somewhere with some people. When you're there, get to know the people, listen to their stories, take an interest in their lives.

How's all this going to help you to 'go make disciples'? From my experience, it seems to be part of the process God is using to help me become a discipler. Getting me out of my comfort zone, opening my eyes to see everyone as His precious creation, growing my compassion, developing my patience and causing me to trust Him more. It takes time, but I can see how He is changing me and giving me opportunities to have meaningful involvement in people's lives.

It will be scary (trust me) doing things you aren't comfortable doing, talking to people you don't know well and learning things that don't come easily. It will be a sacrifice bearing with difficult people, giving up your precious time and comfort. But isn't experiencing the Kingdom worth it? I can guarantee you won't experience and extend the Kingdom sitting in the comfort and safety of your home. I know I wasn't. Let's jump into this adventure together.

Questions to Consider

What are you willing to do to experience the Kingdom of Heaven? What are you willing to give up to experience the Kingdom of Heaven?

Action Steps for the Week 

Ask God to show you somewhere you can get involved and ask Him to help you stick with it when things start getting difficult or beyond that with which you are familiar.