"IN THE SAME WAY THE CHURCH EXISTS FOR NOTHING ELSE BUT TO DRAW MEN INTO CHRIST, TO MAKE THEM LITTLE CHRISTS. IF THEY ARE NOT DOING THAT, ALL THE CATHEDRALS, CLERGY, MISSIONS, SERMONS, EVEN THE BIBLE ITSELF, ARE SIMPLY A WASTE OF TIME" - C. S. LEWIS
I have two daughters in college. Did I tell you I have two daughters in college? My oldest daughter told me she wants to find a Bible Study that will teach her about discipleship and how to live that out before her peers. She also said she was frustrated that when it comes to the church or ministries of the church, nobody has really mentored her or given her accountability in her walk with God. As I think more about the issues of discipleship, my daughter is so right on two missing ingredients today which are mentors and accountability when it comes to the great ommission of discipleship.
2 Corinthians 3: 12 says, "Therefore, since we have such hope, we use great boldness of speech" and goes onto say in v.14 "but their minds were blinded" or v. 15, "a veil lies on their heart.". Paul's argument is the blindness and veil Israel has regarding Christ. But I can't help but think that when it comes to the church today, the church is blinded and has a veil over its eyes when it comes to this important issue of transforming discipleship. Listen to Paul's last words in this chapter, "But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as the Spirit of the Lord (v.18).
Where are the little Christ's today? Where are the unveiled Christians who are being transformed by the glory of Christ into his image?
Three areas God is challenging me in this area of discipleship:
1. We must disciple our children first.
2. Learn discipleship in community or small group (live it out).
3. Mentor and hold others accountable (disciples reproducing and making other disciples).
Prayer partners, groups of three or more people asking accountability questions, and raising the hard issues concerning the church and faith today; etc.
How is your life being tranformed this week by Christ?
I have two daughters in college. Did I tell you I have two daughters in college? My oldest daughter told me she wants to find a Bible Study that will teach her about discipleship and how to live that out before her peers. She also said she was frustrated that when it comes to the church or ministries of the church, nobody has really mentored her or given her accountability in her walk with God. As I think more about the issues of discipleship, my daughter is so right on two missing ingredients today which are mentors and accountability when it comes to the great ommission of discipleship.
2 Corinthians 3: 12 says, "Therefore, since we have such hope, we use great boldness of speech" and goes onto say in v.14 "but their minds were blinded" or v. 15, "a veil lies on their heart.". Paul's argument is the blindness and veil Israel has regarding Christ. But I can't help but think that when it comes to the church today, the church is blinded and has a veil over its eyes when it comes to this important issue of transforming discipleship. Listen to Paul's last words in this chapter, "But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as the Spirit of the Lord (v.18).
Where are the little Christ's today? Where are the unveiled Christians who are being transformed by the glory of Christ into his image?
Three areas God is challenging me in this area of discipleship:
1. We must disciple our children first.
2. Learn discipleship in community or small group (live it out).
3. Mentor and hold others accountable (disciples reproducing and making other disciples).
Prayer partners, groups of three or more people asking accountability questions, and raising the hard issues concerning the church and faith today; etc.
How is your life being tranformed this week by Christ?
