Here are some values that I see fitting in the framework of thinking about discipleship:
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations,… teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.”
Matthew 28:19-20
Discipleship that Is Life-on-Life
I’m not a big fan of a programatic culture at church. I know Willow Creek were the pioneers of it in mega-church contexts, and I really don’t take anything away from them because they’re effective (however you measure that) at what they do.
The reason I am not a fan is because I do not think that a programatic culture of church is effective, nor biblically motivated, in creating life-long disciples of Jesus. It’s not to say that it’s unbiblical, it’s just not how I see it done in the scriptures.
Discipleship, as I see, was meant to be life on life.
It was one life touching and impacting another, openly, humbly, vulnerably, and in small personal contexts. As Jesus spent most of his ministry time with just a handful of people, so we should cultivate a church culture which is focused on focused and intentional discipleship relationships.
And I’m sorry, but most of what I see in “youth groups”, “college groups” are just not cutting it. How can you expect one or two youth pastors to disciple twenty to thirty kids for one hour a week? I believe it is healthier to train our church in discipleship. I believe that one-on-one, one-on-two, one-on-three relationships are much more personal, powerful, and significant.
