In the spirit of V. Lombardi, I have it on my heart that we would do well to seek to truly understand who we each are, and what qualities, actions, and beliefs we will seek to nurture in the lives of people God chooses to reach through us. The more we understand what a true disciple is, the end result of what God wants each us to become, the more we will be capable of discerning if we've reached our mark and the more we will be able to discern along the way what aspects to intentionally pray through, discuss, and encourage in people's lives.
One danger I see in this is that we may seek to make people like us, instead of people like Christ. What I mean by this is, I personally cannot yet echo the words of Paul where he said "Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ (1 Cor. 11:1 (NIV))." Because of this, I recognize that the goal we seek to nurture people toward is not a replication of Kelly (who only echos aspects of true discipleship), but instead is Christ likeness in the vain where Jesus said " . . . go and make disciples of all nations . . . and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you . . . Matthew 28:19-20)."
My goal is that we would begin to have a clear picture in mind so that we can be actively engaged in nurturing the aspects of true discipleship in people that will take them from "our door to becoming a true disciple."
So I submit this to us as a group to begin a discussion on this basic question in hopes of getting a picture of success will look like:
What does a disciple know and do?
Kelly J. Mahoney
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2 comments:
I'm just testling to see if this works. i'm clueless on the blog thing.
warren
Kelly,
I really liked this post and your question. Without a doubt this is one of the most important questions we must unpack.
you said, "One danger I see in this is that we may seek to make people like us, instead of people like Christ."
I think there is great insight in your words,because that seems to me to be how superficial christianity got popular in the first place.
you said,"My goal is that we would begin to have a clear picture in mind so that we can be actively engaged in nurturing the aspects of true discipleship in people."
I think I agree with this if what your saying is what we must have "in mind" is Jesus and knowing Him, and then also focus on how He made disciples.
I think we are only beginning to unpack this.
Josh
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