4: Develop Disciples (SRI)

DAD JOKES

Last week I did something I might need to rethink when I get home. I swapped our bed out for a trampoline, and my wife hit the roof.

I have a confession. I used to be addicted to the Hokey Pokey, but then I turned myself around. And, evidently, that’s what it’s all about.

When Joshua’s new girlfriend showed up in a white suit, covered in bee stings and smelling like honey, I told Joshua “she's a keeper.”

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Over the last 3 weeks we have talked about what it means to be LIVIN’ FORGIVEN IN A FALLEN WORLD.

We recognized that there are parts about life that we don’t like. Sin. Sickness. Death. Something’s wrong and it shouldn’t be this way! And although we CAN’T stop the world from spinning and get off until Jesus comes back, we CAN be made right with the God who made us in His image. We can experience what it means to be Livin’ Forgiven in a Fallen World.

Next we noted that Jesus told His disciples that difficult days WOULD come. All of them were persecuted in one way or another. Some of them would beaten, run out of town, and even killed. Yet in those most difficult days, THEY remembered what WE SHOULD REMEMBER that the CROSS always outweighs our circumstances.

Last week we saw that the 2 greatest commands God gives us are to LOVE GOD & LOVE PEOPLE.

To Love God, we must KNOW Him, OBEY Him, & GROW in Him.

To love people doesn’t mean we are to stir up false feelings of affection. Instead, LOVE is an ATTITUDE & ACTION that both desires & demonstrates that you want the best for another person.

Today we are going to see the next step of what it takes to be LIVIN’ FORGIVEN in a FALLEN WORLD.

If I asked the question, name 5 people who have best modeled what it means to be a disciple of Jesus, who would you name?

WAY BEFORE Timothy was developing disciples alongside Paul, Timothy was becoming a disciple of Jesus by following the example of 2 precious women in his life.

In just a few minutes we will take a look at how these women impacted Timothy and consider how we can follow their example to Develop Disciples.

First, remember that developing/making disciples is the mission Jesus gave His first followers, who passed it on to their disciples, and it’s the same mission WE are to continue to carry out today (Mt 28:18-20).

But here’s the strange part. While many would consider themselves Christians, far fewer would claim to be disciples…or FOLLOWERS of Jesus.

It might surprise you to note that,

The late Dallas Willard wrote, "The word 'disciple' occurs 269 times in the New Testament; the word 'Christian' occurs 3 times."

Sadly, many have dissected DISCIPLE from CHRISTIAN, somehow thinking one can be a Christian WITHOUT being a disciple. This is NOT the teaching of Jesus, however.

First, let’s DEFINE a Disciple.

A “disciple” is NOT just referring to the 12 that Jesus chose to train most closely. In fact, Jesus had many more than 12 disciples, as we see in Luke 6:12-13.

Luke 6:12–13 (CSB)

During those days he went out to the mountain to pray and spent all night in prayer to God. When daylight came, he summoned his disciples, and he chose twelve of them, whom he also named apostles:

These disciples of Jesus included both men & women who spent time with Jesus. But the goal of a disciple was more than just listening to a professor to deepen their knowledge. Throughout this passage Jesus shared exactly what He expected of His disciples, and here was the ultimate goal.

Luke 6:40 (CSB)

A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher.

Disciple Defined: A Disciple is an Imitator of the Teacher.

[My Dad loves sports & has a quick whit.] When I talk with someone who knows my Dad they often say, “You’re Glynn Watts made-over” OR “I can tell you are Glynn’s son.” If my Dad were in the room he would quickly respond, “Son, tell ‘em thank you.” And now I see MY SONS acting a reacting like me - sometimes that makes me proud & sometimes that makes me scared.

As children mirror image their parents, so mature disciples act & react like the one who has trained them. This was true long before Jesus trained His disciples.

Bill Hull writes, “Every Jewish boy by age thirteen had studied and memorized much of the Pentateuch [first 5 writings] and the prophets. If he was among the best and the brightest, he would be accepted into a rabbinical school” and be further tested to determine if he was worthy being the disciple of a rabbi.

There were 5 characteristics of rabbinical disciples. The Disciple must

1. submit to the Rabbi (teacher).

2. memorize the rabbi’s words.

3. learn the rabbi’s way of ministry.

4. imitate the rabbi’s life and character

5. find his/her own disciples.

You see, Disciples weren’t just committed to a philosophy, principles, or rules. They were committed to a PERSON... his RABBI - his teacher. When we understand what was expected of disciples in Jesus’ day, the words of Paul make more sense for those who claim to be disciples of Jesus:

1 Corinthians 11:1 (CSB)

Imitate me, as I also imitate Christ.

Paul was showing others what it meant to be a disciple of Jesus.

…because…

A Disciple is an Imitator of the Teacher.

Francis Chan writes: “That’s the whole point of being a disciple of Jesus: we imitate Him, carry on His ministry, and become like Him in the process. Yet somehow many have come to believe that a person can be a “Christian” without being like Christ. A “follower” who doesn’t follow. How does that make any sense?”

It doesn’t. It’s like some of the oxymorons we have become so accustomed to. (by the way - the word ‘oxymoron’ comes a Greek term meaning ‘sharp dull’.) See if you catch the vivid contrast in these terms.

It was a minor miracle.

That’s your only choice (You must have 2 options for it to be a choice.)

It was a working vacation.

that’s a little big

That was awfully good

that’s pretty ugly

here’s an exact estimate

oh no, it has freezer burn

Charlie Brown’s favorite: good grief

One of my favorites: that’s a definite maybe

How about this one? Disobedient Disciple - 2 words that should never go together.

So how do we Describe a Disciple?

A Disciple is an Imitator of the Teacher.

So, here’s where it get’s interesting.

If your spouse, friends, children, grandchildren, or those younger folks who look up to you, were to follow your current example, would they be maturing disciples or make-believe disciples?

In other words, would they know how to play church...or would they be pursuing Christ?

I think we’ve all got room for improvement. And just as coaches & players make halftime adjustments, rather than beat ourselves up for what we haven’t done well up to this point, let’s discover some practical course corrections to help us accomplish The Mission of Becoming Disciples Who Develop Disciples....starting at Home.

Do you WANT your children to follow Jesus passionately? Then you can’t leave it up to the Church or somebody else. God commands YOU to develop disciples @ home. This is NOTHING NEW!

You remember when Jesus quoted the greatest command of all He said these words, and look what follows.

Deuteronomy 6:5–7 (ESV)

You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.

The phrase teach them diligently is one Hebrew word literally meaning “repeat.”

So from the beginning of the day to the end of the day, whether in the home & walking down the road, parents were to teach their children God’s commands. That includes teaching:

WHO God is. He is the Creator of all - powerful & pure.

WHAT God has done. God had freed them from captivity. We remember what Jesus has done for us - going to the cross!

and WHAT God expects - Moses taught the Jews what God expected...and later the Jesus Himself - God in skin - commanded His disciples - ‘teach them all that I have commanded you.’ (Mat 28:19-20)

Diligence is not about A conversation, but about many conversations. Diligence is not a once a weekly event, but a DAILY practice. And so it was that parents & grandparents were to

BIG TRUTH: Love God Passionately & Lead Children Diligently

Let’s take a quick look at the precious people who modeled this for young Timothy, LONG BEFORE he was under the tutelage of the apostle Paul.

2 Timothy 3:14–15 (CSB)

But as for you, continue in what you have learned and firmly believed. You know those who taught you, and you know that from infancy you have known the sacred Scriptures, which are able to give you wisdom for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

Timothy had learned and firmly believed in Jesus from childhood through the influence of some faithful folks whom had trained him to know the sacred Scriptures (OT Scriptures). “Jewish parents were expected to teach their children the Law from the age of five onwards.”

Imagine hearing that in Jewish homes - training children - okay Judah/Miriam - repeat these words: “Love YaHWeh your God (repeat) with all your heart (repeat) and with all your soul (repeat) and with all your might (repeat).

Earlier in the same letter, Paul began with these words to Timothy.

2 Timothy 1:5 (CSB)

I recall your sincere faith that first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and now, I am convinced, is in you also.

We learn that Timothy’s mother & grandmother both had a tremendous influence on his life in at least 2 ways:

They demonstrated Sincere Faith. Sincere comes from the Greek is literally translated ‘without hypocrisy’.

These ladies weren’t playing church.

They were pursuing Christ. They LOVED Jesus passionately and their faith in him was the real deal, demonstrated wherever they went. In obedience to Jesus, they loved God and they loved people.

They made sure Timothy knew the sacred Scriptures. From an early age, and in obedience to Deut. 6, they taught Timothy to know WHO God was, what God had done, and what God expected in their home, as they walked along the roads, during meals as they tucked him into bed and at the start of each new day.

In 1) demonstrating sincere faith & 2) teaching Timothy the Scriptures, his mother and grandmother were carrying out the timeless command of Deut. 6 to...

Love God Passionately & Lead Children Diligently

What if WE modeled that for children, grandchildren, nephews and nieces?

What if we did more than just raise them in church? What if we raised them in Christ?

There is one mystery about Timothy’s story...the absence of his father in his spiritual upbringing. Although Timothy’s father is briefly mentioned in Acts 16:1, he seems to have played NO ROLE in leading Timothy to love Jesus.

Sadly, that sounds all too similar to the many stories I have heard as well. Mom & Grandma love Jesus...but Dad just isn’t into all that. He’s passionate about farming, fishing, hunting, sports, or vehicles...but raising children to love God passionately? [sarcastically] That’s just not in his job description as a father.

But men, this command to…

Love God Passionately & Lead Children Diligently

Men - this OUR GREAT RESPONSIBILITY TOO! How are our little boys going to grow into MEN who LOVE JESUS - if they don’t see MEN who LOVE JESUS? How are our little girls going to push away UNGODLY men as they look for somebody like their DADDY - a GODLY MAN?

Paul reminds men of their role when he writes these words:

Ephesians 6:4 (CSB) Fathers, don’t stir up anger in your children, but bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

While the word translated Fathers is also used to refer to both parents, there is no question that Christian Fathers are expected to follow this command.

Men, we are to bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. This is a balance of correction & encouragement.

Fathers and Grandfathers, you are commanded to correct your children/grandchildren, NOT to crush them. The goal is not to make them mad, but to make them mature.

Men…is it enough to say you provided & protected?…or do you want your family & friends to point back to YOU as one who chose to…

Love God Passionately & Lead Children Diligently

I am grateful for the men at our church who do just that. I could name several of YOU who are examples to me & other men, as you love God and lead children diligently (that includes your own grandchildren as well as other children).

Children & Ladies...don’t take these men for granted. Encourage your husband, dad, granddad, or uncle with a quick note or some encouraging words like: “Thank you for leading our family to love Jesus.”

Regardless of how well we’ve led in the past, our job isn’t done....if we’re going to Develop Disciples @ Home, it’s going to take commitment and consistency.

In 1911 two adventurers who set out to be the first people in modern history to reach the South Pole, a place where the temperatures can reach 20 below...IN THE SUMMER!

One team was led by Roald Amundsen. The other team was led by Robert F. Scott. Both men were roughly the same age and experience. They both started their 1,400 mile journey within a few days of each other. They both endured the same conditions., but the two teams had dramatically different strategies.

Scott led his team based on the current conditions. If it was good weather, he might march 30, 40 or even 50 miles. On bad days, when gale forced winds made traveling far worse than normal, he would travel less, or not at all. He let the environment determine his distance. In the process, he led his team to exhaustion.

Amundsen, on the other hand, adopted a different strategy. He decided that he would march 15-20 miles, regardless of weather conditions. On good days, he went the same distance, even though some on his team challenged him to go further. On bad days, he led his team exactly the same, even though many complained. He didn’t let the environment, or the suggestions of his team sway him. They would march 15-20 miles, and rest, even if they didn’t feel like it.

Guess who won the race?

Amundsen, who went a consistent distance on a daily basis, won. And he won big.

Scott reached the south pole 34 days later, and on the return trip, he, and every person on his team died.

The Key to Developing Disciples @ Home is Consistency. You aren’t always going to ‘feel’ like talking about spiritual things. Your schedule might dictate a lack of time with your family...or YOU can begin to dictate what what matters most in your schedule.

FEET2FAITH

Take 3 nights this week to focus on 1 truth with your family OR a friend:

WHO God is (Night #1): Read John 1:1-17 and spend a short time thanking God for Who He is.

WHAT God has done (Night #2): Share how YOU came to trust Jesus with your life and what the crucifixion of Jesus means to you. Share about how God has answered prayer.

and WHAT God expects (Night #3): Read the 10 Commandments in Deut. 5 (all but the Sabbath command are taught in the New Testament) and discuss the importance of obeying God’s commands.

CONTACT US (phone numbers) and PRAY