TWC – The Word Connects: Connecting you to God and to one another … Monday 16 Jun 2014
One of the problems in many churches today is the lack, if not the absence of discipler-disciple relationships. In fact, even when such a relationship exists, we prefer to call it a mentor-mentoree relationship. Though the two are largely similar, the mentoring relationship is not necessarily characterized by discipline as the discipling relationship is. And discipline is an important aspect of discipleship. Either way, many Christians do not even have a formal mentor, not to mention a discipler. (Some might say, Jesus or the Holy Spirit is my Discipler, I don’t need anyone else. I call this pride, arrogance, ignorance and a host of other things. Clearly they do not see or understand the biblical pattern of discipleship. Furthermore, they just want to do whatever is right in their own eyes, that’s why they don’t believe in accountability. They are like the children of Israel in the Book of Murmurs, oh I meant the Book of Numbers.) The pattern of the Christian faith today is that Christianity is a private and personal matter. We go to church, enjoy good worship, a great sermon, some warm fellowship and that’s all. Anything that makes us get closer and more vulnerable is not welcomed by many – such as cell groups and discipling relationships. It is no wonder then that many churches are either not growing, growing slowly or attracting people with sugar-coated theology. It is also no wonder that the church is less connected than it should be, and individual believers are not growing strong spiritually and faithful in following Christ. Churches that are growing well because of an excellent discipleship process are few and far between. In 2Tim.3:10-15, as a discipler, Paul said to Timothy, “you know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, persecutions, sufferings-what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured.” A disciple should be well acquainted with what his or her discipler has gone through. Timothy walked with his discipler and witnessed the way Paul lived and ministered. He saw all the things that Paul mentioned and he saw what a life of faithful following of Christ looked like. Paul expected Timothy to live likewise and Timothy did. It’s the same today. A life of following Christ faithfully will have times of joy, victory, love, endurance, persecutions, sufferings and glory. As you walk with God today, if you have a discipler, make sure you follow him or her, observe and emulate how your discipler lives and ministers. If you don’t have a discipler, look for one, and in the meantime, follow the example of Christ and maybe the example of the great apostle Paul too. Have a great day!
Today’s Bible text: “10 You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, 11 persecutions, sufferings-what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. 12 In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, 13 while evil men and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 15 and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.” (2Tim.3:10-15)
Pastor Barnabas Chong
Aldersgate Methodist Church
revbarnz@gmail.com
Today’s recommended video: God’s Chisel (Skit Guys) … Click here for YouTube link
twcdaily.com 