lifetime discipler

[johnabill]

I have stated that people need a discipler for life no matter where they are in their spiritual development. I have been discipling 3 men for 6 years and I am wondering if they still need it or want it. Philippians 1:5 tells us that we never arrive and Paul discipled until his death. I know of Christian leaders that still have disciplers. I know of other leaders that didnt have one and needed it based on the moral failures they exhibited.

 

[ripple the car]

Is that sort of like having a spiritual father / director?

 

[johnabill]

It might be in some denominations but the Bible talks about disciples so Im using those words. In the beginning I was teaching them a lot of things but as they grew it became a mutual thing where I get as much out of it as they do. I still have the responsibility but it is not an authoritarian thing. Its a servant leadership.

 

[Sal Robinson]

Would you call yourself like a father figure or a brother figure to them? What has your experience disciplining them been like?

 

[johnabill]

I would say older brother figure. Initially we were just acquaintances that I asked if theyd like to enter a discipling relationship. It started with a follow up book and relationship building. There also was a journal for daily quite times and sermon notes. The sermon notes can be eliminated but the quite times are essential for christian growth. Quite times can be and are often scant with people reading a passage or reading a one minute devotional etc but those really arent functional for christian growth. A better and proven way is to read a short passage, meditate on it, write a summary, ask God to speak to you through it then write down your prayer response. As time goes on we become friends and partners ministering to each other.

 

[~Anastasia~]

In our tradition, people tend to have those who offer them guidance for much or all of their lives. There will be those whose own guides have died and they help others, but no longer have anyone for themselves. Those are just few though. There is always accountability at every level.

 

[johnabill]

Thanks that is what I was looking for. In my tradition there is no guidance, we are individuals on our own. To be a discipler or to be discipled is weirdness but it seems very biblical. The strangness of what Im doing is why Im wondering if I should keep going with these guys but I am so blessed and helped by them. Can I or should I keep going as long as they want to?

 

[~Anastasia~]

Thanks that is what I was looking for. In my tradition there is no guidance, we are individuals on our own. To be a discipler or to be discipled is weirdness but it seems very biblical. The strangness of what Im doing is why Im wondering if I should keep going with these guys but I am so blessed and helped by them. Can I or should I keep going as long as they want to?

Well I'd hesitate to tell someone what to do in that case. We usually have people who are very experienced at what they are teaching (because the practices take long to learn or because there's a danger, such as of pride, and true humility takes long to learn).

(And I'm not accusing you of pride btw - it's the disciple who is most in danger of suffering from pride. I'm just giving an example.)

But on the other hand, there is a long history of simply considering things like two together can watch out for each other, iron sharpens iron, and it's good to be accountable and to pray for one another.

So I guess I would be careful being too formal, but as for simply helping one another, that's what we are all supposed to be doing. And the more experienced help those younger. If that makes sense?

 

[johnabill]

Thanks again, I just got up and am reading your response. You seem like a wise person. Ive been discipling for about 20 years using one method or another and I have found that a formal core provides the energy to keep the thing moving forward and the relationship to keep us together and accountable. I dont like accountability teams of any size so I dont mean that but the relationship automatically helps me to be the person I need to be in the face of human nature and the need to continue to be disciples (students Of Christ). I realize it is off topic to this thread but my college roomate converted to Orthodox so I have some familiarity with that tradition. Back on, those verses you gave were great and encouraging for me to keep on except for the Hebrews 10:25 verse which I dont think "watch out for" is what the in Greek is saying. It means seeing so my thought is to observe your disciple to understand what his needs are to grow. It is clear that we are build each other up (edify in Bible language) so this seems to fit well.

 

[~Anastasia~]

Good morning.

My apologies, I should quote actual verses instead of vague references. They tend to just run through my mind but I don't always express well. I wasn't referring to Hebrews 10:25 in any way. So I apologize for being unclear. I had more in mind various Proverbs and the general instructions through the NT of the way that older women and men disciple newer converts or younger people. All I meant is that Scripture is full of reasons to help each other so I think that's certainly good to do.

And again, a disconnect. If you are using some kind of program or curriculum or study guide, I see nothing wrong with that in terms of "formality". Such tools can often be useful.

Since you are familiar with Orthodoxy - that's the sort of "formal arrangement" I wouldn't suggest people take upon themselves and try to work out, without actually being within that sort of having been discipled themselves. I doubt you have any intention of doing that. So I was just trying to qualify from my point of view, but I think I added some confusion just because we sometimes use words differently in different traditions. I'm so glad you pointed out your thoughts in your response so I could correct where I might have been confusing in my intent.

I think I understand your meaning. It is truly beneficial to the one who helps another because he has to maintain a certain level of awareness and be truly who he is in God - in order to help another. I think some few may reach a level where they just are what they need to be, but for the vast majority we must always take a care to ourselves.

I know I learn and am helped by those who teach me, and by those who ask of me. And we honor God by helping one another for the sake of love.

Glory to God.

(And please forgive me for my errors and not being clear sometimes.)

 

[johnabill]

Yes, Glory to God