Discipling Others into Christ – Chapter 17

Dear Brother,

The young man, newly filled with the Spirit, had zeal, and an intensity to serve God.  He came to me, as his pastor, asking, “Why can’t I become a Christian like I became an electrician?”  He went on to tell me that he had served three years as an apprentice to a master electrician before he could get his license to work his trade.  I agreed, it was a good plan, so for the next three years I poured my life into him.  We studied together, prayed together, traveled together, and played together.  He was becoming a disciple.

The apostle Paul told Timothy that “the things which he had heard from him among many witnesses, the same he was to commit to faithful men, who would be able to teach others also.”  Then he said, “Endure hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.” (II Timothy 2:2-3)

You have gained much in the time that you have been discipled.  Your apprenticeship may not be completed as yet, but your apostolic oversight sees you as one who should be helping to prepare others in the Kingdom.  Brother, you need to duplicate yourself.

This week, I’m writing to encourage you to disciple other men to fulfill their potential in Christ; and allow them to finish their schooling with you.  We should never manipulate people in the process of disciplling them.  Rather, we are unselfishly pouring our lives into another.  Really, you should be preparing another to, one day, take your place in ministry.

Even as I write you these letters, talking about your relationship with your apostle/pastor, I am attempting to disciple you a bit.  That is, to teach you more about how to live in relationship with one who watches for you soul.  Of course, as you find those whom you will disciple, you will need to do a great deal more than write letters.  You will need to pour yourself out to such a degree that you too will ask them “to endure hardship with you.”  Apprenticeship means to “work with a master craftsman for a specified length of time to learn his trade through instruction and training.”

Some disciples do not maintain their gratitude for your sacrifices.  That is not your concern.  Learn to pour yourself out like a drink offering, without expecting reward.  (See II Samuel 23: 15-17)  Some disciples do not take initiative; encourage them anyhow.  When you find one with a grateful heart, zealous for the Kingdom, and studious in the Word; remember to release him after a season.  Ultimately, he is not your disciple, but an apprentice of the Lord Jesus.

Bruce

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