I love the out of doors – camping, backpacking, canoeing, rock climbing, etc. About every other year I go with a group of guys to Algonquin Canada. I've been going since I was a young high school student myself. It's always great times. I still remember the first time – it was amazing! We packing everything for the week in our backpacks and set off for a week of canoeing, usually 50-80 miles, including several miles or portages. The week is full of relaxing in the wilderness, enjoying the rocky and sandy beaches, swimming, canoe wars, Canoe Olympics, etc. The worship around the campfire each night is amazing. Believe it or not, we even have fantastic food. Steaks over the campfire after a day of hard work is very rewarding and delicious.
It's a real privilege, now years later, to be a part of leading these trips. I must admit it takes a lot more work, though. I have to know how to prepare: what to pack, where we are at all times, where we’re going, and what to do if something goes wrong.
Discipleship and the Christian life can be a lot like these wilderness trips. If you know Christ personally, you know how awesome life in Christ is. However, there’s a big difference in being along for the ride and leading the trip (discipling another Christian). You need to know the ins-and-outs. You have to be prepared for the best and worst. You need to know the path, where you are, and where you’re going.
Discipleship can be categorized in a variety of ways. Our church programs are often geared toward discipling large groups of individuals. This assumes that most everyone is moving at the same speed and skill level. Personal or One-on-One Discipleship is very personalized. It's crucial for helping those that are excelling to continue to excel. It's also vital in helping move remedial students move forward in areas of weakness. The rest of this post is designed to describe the latter - 1-on-1 discipleship.
What is Discipleship Isn’t:
· Discipleship isn’t merely TEACHING.
o Certainly this is an important component, but it isn’t all there is
o I’ve seen too many good intentioned leaders pumping their students’ heads full of Bible facts, when in fact, they’re not growing, just getting fatter heads.
· Discipleship isn’t being a BUDDY.
o We know that in order to connect with a student’s heart, we must befriend them. But we must be more than a friend.
o We’re in a position of authority over them, which is a privilege and responsibility.
o When we lose sight of this, we lose our ability to help them grow.
o Discipleship will require us to speak candidly and forthrightly at times, more than just a buddy can do.
· Discipleship isn’t just HANGING OUT.
o It will take time – you can’t disciple someone you’re not around.
o But it will take very intentional time, not just hanging out.
Components of Discipleship:
TIME: (Christ in the Gospels)
· I know you’re busy, so am I.
· I’m not saying you have to put in 30 hours a week to grow a disciple.
· But it will take time – you must spend time together.
· Consider Jesus – He spent time with His disciples – they did life together – the best model.
· Here’s the trick – it’s has to be Time outside the WALLS and PROGRAMS of the Church.
o Church programs can be great – and are vital for their spiritual health and growth
o But they’re not 1-on-1 discipleship
o When we’re teaching or designing programs, we’re targeting the group, not the individual
o These are the shotgun approach, 1-on-1 discipleship more is like delicate heart surgery
· They’re SURROUNDED by worldly influences and STARVED for healthy relationships.
· Intentionality – deliberate, planned, purposeful, and premeditated – we’re making an investment!
· I think our public schools in many ways are learning to do a better job at this:
o IEP – Individualized Educational Program – designed for specific students
o If our public schools can do it, so can we, and better!
o Intentionally thinking through IDP’s (Individualized Discipleship Plans)
· PRAY for your student’s needs (you might not know what they are)
· Team up with PARENTS
o They know their child better than anyone – and will know areas that need growth
o Ask them – you need to have their permission to be working with their kid anyway
o Sometimes parents are blind to the strengths and weaknesses of their kids, or aren’t spiritually minded.
· OBSERVE and EVALUATE
o Some of us are better at this than others, that’s ok. You’ll learn.
o Obviously this means you’re spending time
o What’s the next step in their spiritual journey?
o What are some attitudes and actions that need development?
o Write it down and revisit it to track progress and update.
· I said before that discipleship isn’t merely teaching. But clearly teaching has to be a part of it
· We need to teach them to TRUST God
o First and hopefully obvious, trust Him for salvation, or spiritual growth is impossible
o This is planting the seed
o If they’re not saved – you’re wasting your time trying to help them grow – superficial
o Secondly, we need to help them trust God – taking Him at His Word
§ Trust His Word
§ Trust His Promises
· We need to teach them to OBEY God
o We have too many hearers, and not enough doers.
o The Great Commission doesn’t just say teach them – teach them to obey everything!
o Hebrews 11:1 Without faith (trust) it is impossible to please (obey) God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists (trust) and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him. (obey) · We need to teach them to FOLLOW God
o Christ called His disciples to follow after Him
o Christ’s disciples were called Followers
o Our students need to learn to recognize His voice and to follow
o We want them to know and do God’s will for their life specifically
o We may not know what it is
o We may give advice, but be careful – God’s plan for their life might not be what we have in mind, what we like, or even make sense
· Two areas I often target:
o Attitudes – the inner person. For this I find the “list passages” helpful. (Helpful Scriptures) Like the love passage, the fruit of the spirit, the beatitudes, etc.
o Actions – Spiritual Disciplines – the things that will help them grow on their own
· Most of us are familiar with the illustration of a knife being sharpened
o Both the knife and the sharpening rod/stone have to be in close proximity with pressure and friction - repeatedly.
· I also get the mental picture of a train – it’s got a lot of power, speed, and momentum
o So why the track?
o If that powerful train gets out of line, there’s a huge, costly, painful mess
o The track keeps it in line, heading in the right direction
o That’s accountability
· Ask PROBING questions
o Be bold – they’re letting you into their lives
o Agree on some things that you’re going to talk about regularly
o Pressure, friction, repeatedly
· Be AVAILABLE
o If you’re holding them accountable in areas of temptation – you need to be available during times of temptation (experience – usually at the most inopportune times)
· ENCOURAGE
o They’re going to struggle and fail
o If that’s the only time they hear from you, they’ll quickly tire of the lectures and guilt trips – even if that’s not your intention
LIFE PROJECTS: (Christ in the Gospels)
· Think about the times personal spiritual growth spurts – what were you doing?
o Retreats?
o Mission Trips?
o Camps?
· When did Christ teach His disciples?
o Along the way
o I love how Christ turned ever life encounter into a spiritual growth opportunity
o We need to begin to see life like this
· Involve them in what you’re already DOING
· LOOK for the lessons in life
Helpful Scriptures:
· 2 Timothy 2:2 – who we should disciple, a model for discipleship · Galatians 5:22-23 – the fruit of the spirit – what each of our disciples should produce
