Discipleship Basics
UPDATE
To an aspiring writer, it is said that Hemingway wrote, “You shouldn’t write if you can’t write.” That resonates with me. In the last few years, I’ve wanted to write, but didn’t. Now, there seems to be not motivation, but desire.
One of the ways I’m beginning this journey is through articles that I intended on publishing, but didn’t get around to it. Today’s post, in particular, comes from an afternoon spent with my brother in 2019. I hope it’s helpful as you make disciples. Cheers.
INTRO
Last weekend, Chango and I visited my brother, Meme, at his workshop in my parents’ house. My brother loves woodworking and is fascinated by hand crafted Japanese tools and various saws. Chango was building a wooden target out of 2x4’s and needed help reinforcing the boards by adding back support and needed Meme’s help.
What I witnessed was probably one of the most basic and effective ways to communicate discipleship. Here are three observations I made during our time:
1. I DO, YOU WATCH
Before hanging out with Meme, Chango had measured the sections of the board that he needed cut, but didn’t double check his markings or his math. When Meme checked his work, he went back and taught Chango the golden rule of woodworking, “measure twice, cut once.” Meme busted out his tape measure and special pencil and showed Chango the importance of measuring correctly, patiently, and with the right metrics.
Once he corrected Chango’s measurements, he taught him how to hold the saw and cut correctly. Afterward, Meme laid support pieces on top of the target and showed Chango how to drill and screw wooden screws (I don’t know the technical term).
Here’s my point, Meme’s job was to teach the “how” and the “why.” Chango’s job was to observe while asking questions along the way. When Jesus tells His disciples, “teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you” (Matthew 28), the word for “teaching” isn’t so much a classroom-type of learning, re-learning through experience and correction. There is a space in discipleship that involves bringing someone along with you as you share life with them and teach them as you go.
2. I DO, YOU HELP
After drilling and securing the first portion of the target, Meme moved on to the middle piece only this time, he grabbed Chango’s hand to teach him positioning and what to expect. Additionally, he was going to observe Chango along the way.
When we consider the four gospel accounts, we see Jesus not only teaching the disciples formally, but informally. He includes them in things such as teaching them how to pray or how to speak of the kingdom. In discipleship, there is a space that includes folding others into what you’re already doing in your walk with Jesus, adjusting as you move forward.
3. YOU DO, I WATCH
For the last piece, Meme told Chango, “now you know, so let me see it.” Chango secured and fastened the final piece by himself and Meme was at his side. In Matthew’s gospel, Jesus promises the disciples (and us) that He will be with them always. They were given a responsibility and commission, but were never on their own or never not making disciples. Discipleship is never in the context of isolation, but community.
FINAL THOUGHTS
One final observation about the time with Meme: it wasn’t a formally scheduled session. This was Chango hanging out with his Tio in real time over the course of an afternoon. In many cases, discipleship is reduced to a formal meeting over charred coffee at Starbucks and while that may happen on occasion, discipleship is an invitation through everyday ordinary life to know and live like Jesus.
Discipleship is an absolute necessity in the Christian life. The lie is that you can be a follower of Jesus without being a disciple. Friend, that’s stupid. It’s not found in the pages of Scripture and is a foreign concept to God’s word. Therefore, let us heed the command of Christ to make disciples who know and live like Jesus.
