Discipling Requires Action!

by Eunice Brubaker
 
One of the core objectives of NMI is discipling. Just as Jesus went about calling and making disciples, He has commissioned us to do the same…go…make…disciples. It is not an option. It is not a suggestion. It is our calling. Just as we have been called to be disciples, we are called to make disciples. We have the awesome privilege and responsibility to be both teacher and learner of what it means to be in Christ, walking in the spirit and living by faith.
 
Discipleship is not just a noun. It requires action. Go! Make! Teach! Who is it that you are discipling? If you aren’t, who can you disciple? When we look at the Twelve, we see guys who, at first glance, didn’t seem like much. Christ didn’t see them for who they were, but who they could become. We need His guidance to direct us to individuals who with time, energy, and patience can fulfill the potential and calling of God upon their lives. It will also require teaching, much prayer, and love.
 
Discipleship is an investment. It always costs something to make an investment. To disciple will cost you time. It will cost you convenience. It will cost you energy (emotional, physical, and spiritual).
 
Discipleship is being before doing, maturity before ministry, character before career.
 
Discipleship is a towel and basin ministry. Discipleship is dirty. It means “living life” with the one whom you are discipling. It is serving. Discipling is not just a matter of head knowledge and heart worship, but using our hands to serve and disciple others.
 
Discipleship is rewarding. There is no greater joy or fulfillment than to see one whom you have discipled walk in steps of obedience to God’s call and will.
 
This morning I had a full schedule. I came into my office ready to accomplish the ministerial “to-do list” that I made for the day. Instead, I spent three hours with one of my newest disciples…working through the process of answering God’s call and open door for a Mission Corps assignment. It took my time; it inconvenienced my schedule. It totally zapped my energy. It messed up my daily routine! But it made all the difference in the world for this young disciple who is truly seeking God’s will. I wouldn’t trade any “to-do list” for that!
 
I recently proclaimed that I was going to quit discipling because all my disciples are responding to the call to the mission field and leaving me behind. Trust me, I was just joking. There is no greater joy than seeing the fruit of discipleship. There is no greater peace than knowing time spent discipling does not go to waste. There is no greater calling than to go…make…teach disciples.