My primary ministry gift is as a teacher. I love talking with folks about Jesus and what it means to walk with Him in life, but I’m not an evangelist. We need both, but I’m more a disciple-maker than a convert-maker. As I recall, Jesus instructed us to “go and make disciples.” Remember that? *
In case you care (please do), the Greek word for disciple is Cognate: “to disciple, i.e. helping someone to progressively learn the Word of God to become a matured, growing disciple (literally, “a learner,” a true Christ-follower); to train (develop) in the truths of Scripture and the lifestyle required, i.e. helping a believer learn to be a disciple of Christ in belief and practice.” https://biblehub.com/greek/3100.htm
A major problem in the Church is that we have too many spiritual children playing church in grown-up bodies. And remember when your kids played “dress up” with adult clothes? Yeah, we have a lot of that and we’re okay with it because it (falsely) assures us that we’re going to heaven when we die; it basically demands little of us in lifestyle and values; and it keeps the institutional church system running.
I write of growing up, in Lesson 1, MORE AND MORE in the workbook MORE LIKE JESUS, at www.john2031.com/books/mlj/main.html It’s free, and anyone may print, revise, translate, sell it or whatever you want. It’s there for you.
One thing I love/loved about my sons (one here, two now heading up Jesus’s Flight Department) is that, although already superb pilots, they always want/ed to do even better. They want/ed to learn how to handle greater or new challenges in flying. Such a one is an “aviator,” not just a “pilot” and they stand out among their peers.
Those in the Church with that life-altering disposition are “Jesus Followers.” Disciples, not just what are popularly known as “Christians.” Most Kenyans on the street would assure you they were Christians, but if you then asked if they were born again you could get a “no.” They knew the difference but I’m not sure that most American churchgoers do.
Is this harsh and of a critical spirit or more of Biblical, pastoral, and discomforting truth? More to come. *Mt. 28:18-20
Ken Stoltzfus
Kidron, Ohio USA
June 6, 2022
CLICK HERE for a printable pdf.
.