I definitely think the general call to discipling is more in the nature of mentoring, such as is commanded in 2 Timothy 2:2 "The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also."
Once we have learned about God (as we are commanded to do), we are to share that knowledge with those who know less (or know less in a particular area), so they can grow in their faith and knowledge of Christ.
My husband and I think we should aim for (although we may rarely succeed at doing all 3 at the same time) having one more mature Christian to disciple/mentor us, one peer (Christian of similar maturity) to meet with and encourage one another and hold each other accountable, and one younger (less mature) Christian to mentor/disciple to grow their faith and knowledge of God. We don't want to just convert people (not that we truly convert anyone. It is actually God), but to grow them so they also can introduce unbelievers to God. We need to share what we have been blessed with and that includes experience and knowledge of God.
Discipling, as I see it, is sometimes very informal and other times more organized. Most of the time it works best when it happens naturally rather than being externally organized, but I have seen a church have people who wanted to disciple and be discipled and help match them up. It frequently works, but less often than when it happens naturally. Of course sometimes we need help. The older people don't always know lots of younger people that might want to be discipled.
I like your idea "one more mature Christian to disciple/mentor us, one peer (Christian of similar maturity) to meet with and encourage one another and hold each other accountable, and one younger (less mature) Christian to mentor/disciple"
How would the "new believer" not be isolated from the others and still make them feel comfortable in just that small group of church members? New believers need a different set of "instructions."
Thanks for the comment, Larry. Could you explain a little more? I'm not sure I understand what you're saying...isolated? small group? different instructions? I can't get my arms around this - maybe my mind is tired tonight. Help me out.
How would the one recently baptized person feel about being the only one in the class? How would they react being the only class member? Could the teacher be effective in teaching only one? How long would the teaching take for the one recently baptized person be allowed to join the rest of the church group in the "regular class?" There is teaching that should take place and not just expect them to "catch on." We may miss this private time and therefore don't do a thorough job of getting the new believer settled and established in their new life. Some may "drift away." I don't think we take the time to start becoming a "mentor."
Well, thanks, Larry. I’m not sure what you’re responding to or referring to, I never heard of a class with only one attendee, but I think you’re agreeing that new Christians should not be left on their own; we need to stick with them and help them grow.
Fantastic! I really like your recordings too. You are a good reader.
Thank you. Part 3 of 3 is coming next Tuesday.
I definitely think the general call to discipling is more in the nature of mentoring, such as is commanded in 2 Timothy 2:2 "The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also."
Once we have learned about God (as we are commanded to do), we are to share that knowledge with those who know less (or know less in a particular area), so they can grow in their faith and knowledge of Christ.
My husband and I think we should aim for (although we may rarely succeed at doing all 3 at the same time) having one more mature Christian to disciple/mentor us, one peer (Christian of similar maturity) to meet with and encourage one another and hold each other accountable, and one younger (less mature) Christian to mentor/disciple to grow their faith and knowledge of God. We don't want to just convert people (not that we truly convert anyone. It is actually God), but to grow them so they also can introduce unbelievers to God. We need to share what we have been blessed with and that includes experience and knowledge of God.
Discipling, as I see it, is sometimes very informal and other times more organized. Most of the time it works best when it happens naturally rather than being externally organized, but I have seen a church have people who wanted to disciple and be discipled and help match them up. It frequently works, but less often than when it happens naturally. Of course sometimes we need help. The older people don't always know lots of younger people that might want to be discipled.
I like your idea "one more mature Christian to disciple/mentor us, one peer (Christian of similar maturity) to meet with and encourage one another and hold each other accountable, and one younger (less mature) Christian to mentor/disciple"
How would the "new believer" not be isolated from the others and still make them feel comfortable in just that small group of church members? New believers need a different set of "instructions."
Thanks for the comment, Larry. Could you explain a little more? I'm not sure I understand what you're saying...isolated? small group? different instructions? I can't get my arms around this - maybe my mind is tired tonight. Help me out.
How would the one recently baptized person feel about being the only one in the class? How would they react being the only class member? Could the teacher be effective in teaching only one? How long would the teaching take for the one recently baptized person be allowed to join the rest of the church group in the "regular class?" There is teaching that should take place and not just expect them to "catch on." We may miss this private time and therefore don't do a thorough job of getting the new believer settled and established in their new life. Some may "drift away." I don't think we take the time to start becoming a "mentor."
Well, thanks, Larry. I’m not sure what you’re responding to or referring to, I never heard of a class with only one attendee, but I think you’re agreeing that new Christians should not be left on their own; we need to stick with them and help them grow.