It seems that this is the key to discipleship that many believers miss. That in order to disciple, they themselves need to be open and submitted to the correction brought into their own lives. It’s the ‘crusaders of change’ and the ‘leaders of zealous’ hearts (though many beginning with good intentions) that have perhaps damaged many baby Christians along the way, ignoring their own need for correction and guidance.

People get proud and distracted by numbers and intention rather than by the heart of a man, and the will of the Father. The disciplers NEED to remember that no one ever ought to be without discipleship or fellowship. Even Peter, who was known as a “pillar of the church”, was called out on misconduct by Paul (Galatians 2).

Discipleship is exciting, however, because by example, we see what started as eleven men standing over an entire untold world…. and we see his word spreading like a wildfire–unstoppable! Nations oppressed by persecutions will not be silent, but only grow louder, because people cannot contain the Good News. They tell. Because they’re life depends on it. And so does ours. And all of those we see around us. Look at anyone around you and you can say to yourself, “God has a plan and purpose for you,” and how can you not want to let them to know?

We can think of those eleven men on the top of the mountain and KNOW that nothing is impossible for God. The same Holy Spirit that empowered them and moved in them, spoke through them and strengthened them is alive and active and dwelling in us! People can see that in us as we disciple by our actions and our words. Living as Christ did, speaking truth, because we know that nothing is impossible with God. As a body of Christ, we must continue to encourage one another using the word to teach, rebuke, correct train one another in righteousness (2 Tim 3:16). And that means also allowing ourselves to be submitted to one another (Ephesians 5:21) and being open to discipleship in our own lives.

(Thank you Ps. Dean & Jill, for being a living an example, as you encourage us to do the same!)