Personal Disciplemaking by Chris Adsit published by Integrated Resources of Campus Crusade for Christ. Excerpt from chapter 2, "The Product", page 33. © Chris Adsit Table of Contents "Disciple" In Context As we examine New Testament usage of the word disciple, we'll find some confusing facts. On the one hand, we read about Jesus placing some pretty high standards on people who want to be called His disciples -- things like: taking up your cross, following Him, and taking all the criticism and persecution He endured (Matthew 10:24-38); giving up all of your possessions (Luke 14:33); being so much in love with Him that your relationship with your family looks like hatred in comparison (Luke 14:26); and being willing to die for Him (Matthew 10:39). On the other hand, sometimes people who are called disciples in the Bible behave in very "un-disciple-ish" ways. They appear to be: spiritually dull (Matthew 13:36; 16:6-11; John 14:5-10; 16:16-20 ); spiritually impotent and faithless (Matthew 17:15-20); used as patsies by Satan (Matthew 16:21-23; 26:14-16); full of spiritual pride (Mark 10:35-45; John 13:36-38 ); uncommitted (John 6:66); lacking in compassion for others (Mark 10:13,14); violent and wrathful (Luke 9:54,55; John 18:10,11); secretive about their devotion to Jesus (John 19:38); opposing Jesus' intentions (John 13:5-11); deserting Jesus in His greatest hour of need (Matthew 26:69-75; Mark 14:43-46,50). So what is a disciple? Spiritual superman or spiritual dud? The answer is: both. A disciple is a person in process. The process begins when a person receives Christ and becomes a learner, and will continue as long as the person keeps learning. He starts out as a baby, not in any way meeting the criteria of a mature disciple, nor is he expected to. Just like the disciples who traveled with Jesus, he'll make awkward mistakes from time to time. But as long as he's learning, and he's making progress, we don't get nervous. From time to time in this process, Jesus will up the ante for His learners. We see this in John 6 when He urged a large band of His disciples to trust Him for deeper, more significant parts of their lives. But many of these "learners" were offended, decided to stop learning, and didn't walk with Him anymore (verse 66). They could no longer call themselves His disciples. They stopped growing. Then He turned to the twelve, and asked them a very pointed question: "You do not want to go away also do you?" Their insightful answer was, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life" (verses 67,68). They agreed to the increased demands. They wanted to keep maturing. To the growing disciple today He'll say, "You've been doing well; you have been demonstrating that you are a learner. But now it's time to graduate to the next class. More will be expected now. Are you willing to accept this new challenge?" If the disciple says yes, he continues to learn, he continues to grow, he continues to be used in the work of the kingdom -- he continues to be a disciple. But if he is not willing to go on, Jesus says, "Then you cannot be My disciple. Your eternal destiny is by no means in jeopardy, and you can repent at any time and we'll resume class. But as long as you maintain that stance, you are not My learner." This being the case, you will find that most brand-new Christians are disciples, because they have such an intense drive to learn more about their relationship with God and they haven't had much opportunity to bail out yet. On the other hand, you may find a fellow who has been pastoring a church for twenty-five years, has a seminary doctorate, has memorized half of the Bible, has led hundreds of people to the Lord, and yet is not a disciple, because there came a time when he said, "No. I'm not willing to go any further. I will not make that sacrifice. I'm not interested in any more learning." To him, Jesus has said, "You cannot be my disciple." To order this and other materials from Disciplemakers International, see our ordering information. Special thanks to Gospel Communications Network for the use of the Bible Gateway!
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