Discipleship

Over the course of break, I have been taking a class called, "Introduction to Disciplemaking". This class has expanded my thoughts on what I thought a disciple was. We have gone through John looking at the disciples lives, and how they are just as messed up as our lives. We have been asked the question of, "Are your spiritual shoes tied? Are you being built on the fundamentals of the Christian faith?" Meaning, are you reading your bible, praying, fellowshipping with other believers, and witnessing? Without being fundamentally rooted in Christ, there is no way that you will be successful in making disciples.

Everyday I am challenged to think and to grow deeper in Christ. One of the phrases that has been drilled into me this week is, "Always have a hand up and hand down." Meaning, always have someone that is older and wiser than you speaking into your life. Always have a hand down to someone in whose life you are speaking into. Don't just gather love, wisdom, and nuturing from someone. But rather, as you are being poured into...give it out.

This class has also encouraged me to see out a discipler or a mentor around me, in the Spokane area. And honestly, that' so uncomfortable for me to do. I like having someone that can pour into my life, but I don't like necessarily seeking them out. It's awkward and I never thought it was really a necessity. You don't just go up to someone and be like, "I am looking for someone to keep me accountable and disciple me, want to be that person in my life?" Hahaha. Uncomfortable.

But at the same time, having someone who is older and wiser is so important in the Christian life. I've always struggled with the passage from Matthew 28. Most of you know this chapter as having the Great Commission in it. It starts out saying, "Go and make disciples of all nations..." And I've always had a hard time understanding that in regards to me personally being discipled. It says go and MAKE disciples, rather than go and BE discipled. But I guess it's a cycle. We can't go and make disciples if we were never trained in how to be one.

I think it is so important to have someone that knows you well enough to speak truth into your life. I will be forever thankful for having Marisa and Angie speaking truth into my life. I now know how to disciple someone and what a true discipler looks like. Thanks for being that model in my life.

John 13:35 says, "Everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." 

May we love each other like Christ loves us. May we always be encouraging and pouring into the lives around us.