Making Disciples, Developing a Teachable Spirit

 

So he departed from there and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen in front of him, and he was with the twelfth. Elijah passed by him and cast his cloak upon him. And he left the oxen and ran after Elijah and said, “Let me kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow you.” And he said to him, “Go back again, for what have I done to you?” And he returned from following him and took the yoke of oxen and sacrificed them and boiled their flesh with the yokes of the oxen and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he arose and went after Elijah and assisted him. (1 Kings 19:19-21 ESV).

 

Another essential in making disciples is cultivating a teachable spirit. Elijah the prophet placed his cloak over the shoulders of Elisha the farmer. At God’s command, Elijah was summoning Elisha to leave his farm and take on the work of prophet for God’s people. Elisha was to be Elijah’s apprentice. This was not a small request, and it would require great commitment from Elisha.

 

Elisha made his commitment clear. He brought an end to his old occupation by killing his oxen, burning the plow to cook the meat, and sharing it with his family and neighbors. They joined in as witnesses recognizing this change in his life. Elisha wanted to show God and everyone that he was fully committed to this new call and mentoring relationship. Trusting God as he went forward, Elisha did not look back.

 

Discipleship requires a willingness to be taught and redirected. It requires a commitment to letting the Spirit work in our lives. Hesitation and looking back are not going to work. Either God is our only comfort, or we will try in vain to find comfort elsewhere. Discipleship does not always demand a major career change, but it does require placing everything in God’s service. Taking a step of faith requires a full commitment to being discipled.

 

A teachable spirit also requires the development of humility. We must recognize we are not always right! In fact, I’ve found I’m often wrong. The Holy Spirit sees to it that I find the right answer to every question. Trust in Him!