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Being Discipled through Relationship
October 16, 2024
Hey Clawson Family!
Song:
Scripture:
1 Corinthians 11:1
1 And you should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ.
Devotional:
Asking someone to disciple you is a lot like asking someone to be your friend. Does anyone ask formally? Imagine starting a conversation off with a stranger you somewhat look up to saying, “Hey, I’ve seen you around, will you be my friend?”
Friendship simply doesn’t work this way. Starting a discipling relationship won’t work this way either.
Many Christians emphasize different parts of discipling like obedience, teaching, or association. But what if asking someone to disciple you is a lot like starting a friendship? A gospel-centered friendship can be where you see many of the components of discipling come together.
I’ve realized that those who’ve discipled me most are those who were good friends to me and helped me follow Jesus in multiple ways. I think of my first youth pastor who modeled good listening to me. Or the first pastor beside who preached the Bible faithfully, making me hungry for God’s Word.
Friends that made themselves available to me and taught me to care for the poor, how to evangelize, as well as how to disciple.. Countless families who give me access to their lives have taught me how to be a good husband and father. All of this and more because of accessible friendship.
As you get to know someone, you will need to ask when they could give you time to teach you, help you obey Scripture, and observe their life. In many ways, the answer to the question is, “Find a mature believer, and ask them what kind of commitment they could make to you.”
Asking someone to disciple you requires you to enter into their rhythms of following Jesus. Since much of discipling is better caught than taught, it’s important you ask where you may enter into a mature believer’s life to imitate them as they imitate Christ.
You could read the Bible quietly with each other. Afterward, you can talk about your meditations and how you will help each other trust God’s promises and obey his commands. The Bible is a communal book. Even in one’s personal devotion time, one can be others-oriented and disciple others.
Your time in the Scriptures can be a tool for someone else’s benefit. As a former pastor reminded me often, “Whatever you know about Jesus is for others.”
Go to lunch. Do life with them. I am surprised by how much time Jesus spent with his disciples. Hours and sometimes weeks at a time. It was in the regular moments of life like fishing, eating, working, and traveling that Jesus surprised his disciples with the greatest lessons. Likewise, I’ve learned key practices and truths from other mature Christians in the most ordinary moments of life.
Journal:
In your journal write down some things that you would love to have in a discipleship relationship. Begin to think of a person that could be that disciple in your life.
Training:
Who in your life could you begin to learn from? Begin to build a relationship with them so you can learn from them.
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