Discipling?

Recently I noticed an increase in awareness about discipleship. People are discussing the need for more intentional discipleship. I am not sure, but it seems to me that this might be the latest buzzword or "buzz-concept" in certain circles.

In no way do I want to diminish the need for discipleship. In fact, my lack of discipling other people while pastoring a church is one of my regrets. Several years ago Beverly and I changed our lifestyle dramatically so that we could begin to disciple people, a change that is beginning to yield a great deal of fruit. I am fully aware of the need for discipleship today.

However, much of what I am hearing and seeing in the current discussion about discipleship equates discipleship with another program to be implemented. In other words, discipleship is discussed as something we need to teach, a class that must be presented. I can tell you from experience that discipleship does not occur in the context of a class.

True discipleship is not the transfer of information. Rather it is the transfer of life. Or as Paul put it - follow me as I follow Christ. A teacher teaches a class and goes home. A person who is a true discipler teaches with his life at home, inviting others into his walk with God.

Our current system of events, classes, Sunday School, and teaching will never created disciples. Disciples are created as they see how leaders live. This was the pattern of Jesus. He invited the twelve to be with him, not in a classroom, but in all of life. Anything other than Jesus' discipleship pattern is doomed to failure.

To reduce discipleship to a program, to depart from Jesus' example of life interaction with those being discipled, reveals that we have no understanding about discipleship. We may be able to parrot the correct phrases and words but in reality we are powerless to make disciples.