One thing that we have almost perfected as a Church is over complicating things. If there is a hoop to jump through, we see if we can add 3 just to make it that much harder. I am not sure why this is true. Maybe it makes us feel better as leaders if only the fittest can make it through our systems. The home plate of our discipleship diamond is reserved only for the super spiritual (re: no lives).
Here are just a few of the requirements that we throw out for real discipleship:
- You have to take a class to learn how to be a disciple.
- You need to join an 8 week discipleship group that will meet outside of your inferior, normal group each week.
- Discipleship is only effective if it is done one-on-one. Sorry introverts – buddyup.
- We can’t define it, but we know it when we see it.
- Only after being discipled and apprenticing for a discipler, are you qualified to disciple.
I am not saying that any of those things are bad. But it’s when we start to put limits on how God can work in someone’s life that we miss the point. If we use the definition of a disciple that it is someone who is striving to follow and be more like Christ in every aspect of our their life, then discipleship can happen anywhere, anytime.
That impromptu conversation in the kitchen after the group meeting.
That dinner discussion with your kids about what you read in 1 John that morning.
During that serving opportunity with your small group.
On that short term missions trip to Honduras.
We miss the power of opportunities when we force God to work within our set boundaries. Jesus looked for ways to teach lessons through everyday life to his disciples. I think that’s the model of discipleship that we should follow.
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