On a weekend away to Kitty Hawk, NC for our anniversary (hard to believe it was almost a year ago), we walked out on a fishing pier. We weren’t fishing but there is just something about walking down the pier that I love.
I am a people watcher. As we walked the pier we met a couple from Maine and chatted with them for a few minutes and found that they knew of an area that we lived close to at one time. We stopped to watch a couple of guys fish and watched their technique. We asked a few questions about their fishing habits and they happily shared their answers.
As I looked around and up and down the pier, I watched people fish, but what struck me was the teaching that was going on. There were some that had obviously never fished. There were some that had fished before, but would be considered novice or Jr. league. Some were teaching the basics and some were teaching better technique or how to use different lures or tools to bring about a better catch.
What I noticed as well, of the men, women, and young men and women on the pier was they were all very different people in a common space. Some were young, many were older, there were many different nationalities speaking a variety of languages and doing well to understand each other. They were operating in different speeds of life – everything from relaxation to man on mission. Some had new poles and lures while others came with tattered nets and baskets with live bait. They weren’t just fathers teaching sons. They were people teaching people. They were people sharing their lives with one another. And they were enjoying their time together.
They weren’t just fathers teaching sons.
They were people teaching people.
This took my thoughts to patterns of discipleship and I thought about our share time experiences at the end of a work day on mission. Whether we have a group of volunteers, are sharing our thoughts and experiences with another group or individual, or simply with each other – when we share those thoughts and experiences, we are inviting them to join with us in praise. Our joy is then amplified. Sharing in praise completes our joy.
Sharing in praise completes our joy.
Christian discipleship is an invitation to worship and enjoy our beautiful and praiseworthy Savior, Jesus Christ, with one another. And when we do that – when we share in praise and pursuit of Jesus – Christ is glorified and joy is multiplied.
Many have misconceptions about what discipleship truly is. There are people who think discipleship is simply ‘community’ as long as they are spending time with another person, they have done discipleship. Others believe discipleship is simply teaching. As long as they have given a gospel tract or sermon teaching, they have done discipleship. Unfortunately, neither can stand alone to fulfill God’s purpose for discipleship.
We cared so much for you that we were pleased to share with you not only the
gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become so dear to us.
1 Thessalonians 2:8 CSB
Discipleship is life on life, gospel centered, God’s Word driven, Christ conforming community. Often it is a more mature Christian believer walking alongside and teaching a new Christian. That is true, but also – discipleship happens when two (or more) people seek to know Christ, love Christ, and become more like Christ together.
…a mother teaching her child to pray…
…young men teaching each other how to pray out loud…
…studying bible together…
…going to church together then discussing the sermon…
Discipleship is when we love Jesus, reflect Jesus, and become more like Jesus together. To simplify that – We follow Jesus together. But why together? Because it doubles the blessing. Think about how it feels when you see a beautiful sunset. It is beautiful. And when you see it with someone and you enjoy that experience together it deepens your appreciation for the sunset viewing and for the person that you shared that experience with. Sharing in that experience allows you to see the beauty but also share the joy it brings.
People teaching people.
People loving God.
People loving people.
People experiencing the fullness of what God has for them.
Loving Jesus, sharing life with each other, following Christ together, learning from each other and teaching each other is what discipleship looks like and sharing in the joy of the Lord is what comes of it when we seek to know Him and follow in His teaching together.
“Joy is not a requirement of Christian discipleship, it is a consequence of it.”
– Eugene Patterson
Heavenly Father, thank you for placing some amazing people in my life who have taught me so much. I wouldn’t be where I am today without your goodness and those you have placed in my path to help direct the way. And thank you for allowing me to share your love and the truth of who you are and the joy you have in store for us as we learn to love and follow you. Amen.
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