"Becoming a Disciple" (Part 2)

We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn. In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil. (Hebrews 5:11-14 NIV).

First a few more basics and then we’ll look at some of the means of becoming a disciple. Remember, when we talk about disciple-making, we need to recognize that it is a process that takes time. One of the reasons people don’t become disciples is because they fall out of the process. The very definition of disciple demands that it occur over time. Also, we should recognize a person becomes a believer when they believe. “If you confess with your mouth and believe in your heart that God has raised Jesus from the dead, you will be saved.” (cf. Romans 10:9). Salvation comes to those who believe by faith. Discipleship comes as you begin the process of hearing from God, walking in obedience to His direction, and surrendering to the direction of the Holy Spirit.

So let’s begin. First, hear from God. The easiest way to accomplish this part of the process is through a consistent plan of daily Scripture reading. I know some of you are already thinking you are too busy, but I have found that to be a very weal argument. There are so many tools that are available for use in a daily reading of the Bible no one can claim that as an excuse. Who doesn’t have fifteen minutes sometime during the day to read or listen to the Scripture read? God speaks through the Bible; however, God also speaks through worship. I would hope that some of your weekly worship is done collectively through your local church. However, if the only worship you have each week is that one or two hours, you will not develop as fast or fully as you could otherwise. Use Christian praise as you drive in your car. Develop an eye for seeing the hand of God in your surroundings. Pray throughout your day. Even a brief expression of gratitude toward God is vital.

I love the old story of an old farmer who frequently described his Christian experience by saying, “Well, I’m not making much progress, but I’m established!” One spring when he was hauling some logs, his wagon wheels sank down to the axles in mud. Try as he would, he couldn’t get the wagon out. Defeated, he sat atop the logs, viewing the dismal situation. Soon a neighbor who had always felt uncomfortable with the farmer’s worn out testimony came along and greeted him, “Well, Brother Jones, I see you’re not making much progress, but you must be content because you’re well-established!”

God calls us to more than an initial experience of salvation. Read the Scripture daily. Worship daily. Pray daily. Sound too easy? It gets a little more difficult… stay tuned!