One Reason We Aren't Making Disciples Like We Should

 December 1, 2024

Sunday

I lead discipleship groups. Twelve of us meet to study God's word, discuss what we are struggling with from that word, confess where we have failed and show how we are becoming more like Christ. (That last part is observed rather than stated.) This morning I was thinking of the people in one of my present groups. A couple of them are struggling to continue. The course is not hard but the practice of what I am leading is beyond human abilities. These people need to admit it and go forward saying, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." They do not have the strength to live the Christian life without His strength.

It is here that I realized one of the weaknesses in our discipleship. We have given people courses without seeing if they are observing the teachings in those courses. We have assumed that all that people need is knowledge. Thus, they have bookshelves full of Bible studies they have done but aren't acting much different than the world around them. Knowledge is not the key to discipleship! A disciple is not a disciple until he or she becomes like the Master. That is not what is going on.

The number of silver tongued preachers who are failing should tell us that knowledge  is worthless without application. These preachers are being caught in their sins and the people who catch them have lost someone they saw as an example of how they should live. The churches these preachers pastored are reeling from the blow of losing the leader they thought built the church to what it is. Each of these preachers knew what to do but did not do it.

Our failure is in thinking that a person will become a disciple because he or she has the knowledge that is in the Bible. Knowing what to do is important but it is not the ultimate goal. 

The scribes and Pharisees knew what to do.

Matthew 23:2-3 (ESV) ²  “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat, ³  so do and observe whatever they tell you, but not the works they do. For they preach, but do not practice.

Jesus wanted to warn us about people who don't do what they preach. Their preaching may be solid but their practice reveals that they are not truly disciples. They were actors in a role. They did things to be observed. It did not come from their hearts. They remained unchanged even though they knew all the things they should do. Their practice was on the outside and their hearts remained untouched.

This is why discipleship leaders must be people who are always growing on the inside by the power of Christ. They, we, must be examples that what is known of the Christian life must be done.

We should have the practice of the Apostle Paul:

1 Corinthians 11:1 (NIV) ¹  Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.

Our discipleship will always be lacking until we do.