Re: [revival-fire] Making disciples

******* REVIVAL FIRE!!! *******    

Amen!

 

There is nothing more effective for training and raising up the body than spiritual fathers....discipling!!!

On Mon, Oct 27, 2008 at 1:06 AM, David Webb <davidwebb.j2i@gmail.com> wrote:

******* REVIVAL FIRE!!! *******    

I am just back from a visit to Albania, the church there is exciting, open and willing to receive. During these Days the Lord showed me that it isn't more teaching that the church needs but true fathering, because it is fathering that makes disciples. So here are some thoughts to ponder!!!

Paul said in 1Co 4:15  For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel. 1Co 4:16  I urge you, then, be imitators of me.   

 

One of the things I know is that we are a generation of well taught believers, There are seminars, Bible & training schools in abundance, Young people can go almost anywhere in the world today to be taught. I often look back over some of the wonderful teaching I have received and feel encouraged. What really challenges me is that there don't seem to be many fathers… those who say imitate me… we don't seem to be making disciples! Discipleship isn't something that happens, disciples are made.

 

There is a view that discipleship is something we learn in the classroom, by doing a course or attending services, but Paul says "Imitate me"… To become a disciple you have to get close enough to the teacher to be able to imitate them. Our modern church has elevated teachers to a position where we hear them speak but it's almost impossible to get really close to them.

 

Discipleship is a sort of apprenticeship. When I was at school, quite a while ago now, apprenticeships where for the practical hands-on folk. As I write a workman has arrived at my house, he has a 17 year old with him learning how to tile the kitchen… he is doing all of the servant jobs but I observe, learning well from his boss! It reminds me that when I was a young man, many of the workmen who came to our home often had a son, nephew or grandson with them learning the trade. I wonder if this is the way we should be training the next generations. This is where my heart lies!

 

Whilst in Albania I'm sure I drank more coffee than was good for me, the reason? A company of Spiritual sons wanted simply to sit around in the local coffee shop and tease things out of my years of experience… Important questions on an array of topics not usually preached nor taught in a classroom. Often to do with manhood! Sometimes one to one, other occasions in a small group of three or four… we would wrestle with the life changing subjects currently on the table. This is now a feature of my life in fulfilment of the challenge to "Make Disciples". I work with a company of mighty men, my wife with Innovative women… what lies at the heart is to make disciples.

 

Since returning I have found myself stirred by the thought that making disciples is a lost art. Are we training and equipping apprentices of the Kingdom. Do we operate on the basis "I've got something to teach you" or "Imitate me"? Let's get out of the formal setting and wrestle with the issues that mark out the man and woman of God. 

 

True Discipleship is the future of the church …

Have a good week!

 

David Webb

Thessaloniki; Greece

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