- That discipling others only applies to trained professionals.
The truth: discipling others is the calling and privilege of every follower of Jesus. - That you’re not holy enough to disciple someone else.
The truth: if you are on a trajectory of life change in Jesus Christ, then you are holy enough to disciple others. - That you need some special training before you can disciple someone.
The truth: just minutes after she met Jesus, the woman at the well began leading others to Him. (John 4) - That you must reach a high level of maturity before you can disciple others.
The truth: all you have to do is represent Jesus to others through your life and words. Even a child can do that! - That discipling others requires a special gifting or personality.
The truth: there is no gift of discipling and God uses any and all personalities to represent Jesus uniquely to others. Let Him use you the way He made you. - That you are responsible for others’ responses to your discipling efforts.
The truth: Jesus doesn’t hold us responsible for others’ responses, but He does hold us responsible for representing Him to others through our lives and words. - That discipleship is chiefly a matter of learning theology.
The truth: becoming and growing as a disciple (follower) of Jesus has chiefly to do with our relationship with Him. Theology helps us think rightly about Jesus, but it need not be complicated or stuffy. - That according to Romans 7, no one can have victory over sin.
The truth: Romans 7 describes the futility of someone trying to keep the law in the flesh. Romans 6, 7 & 8 assure us that in Christ we are dead to sin and no longer its slaves. - That discipling others as Jesus and the apostles did is a thing of the past and no longer relevant.
The truth: Jesus command to make disciples is inseparably linked to His promise to be with us as we disciple others until He returns. - That discipleship is a complex, mysterious activity that’s not easy to grasp.
The truth: we have sometimes made it so, but discipling others is simply representing Jesus to them through our life and words.
©2018 Rob Fischer