To say that the church is failing in
the area of discipleship is an understatement.
Surveys have shown time and time again that people
who call themselves Christians do not even understand basic
Christian truths.
There appears to be a disconnect between what is
taught about what is actually understood and applied.
This goes back to the difference between
education and discipleship.
Most good, fundamental Christian
churches have an emphasis on education.
There is a theologically deep sermon and everyone is
invited back at midweek for a theologically deep Bible
study. Personal
application is assumed because everyone has been taught
theologically deep Biblical truths.
The problem is that even if some are applying the
truths, others are either unwilling or unable.
Jesus taught to the masses, so there
certainly isn’t anything wrong with teaching a group of
people something theologically deep.
What we need to remember is that not everyone
understood or applied what Jesus taught either.
In John 6 He taught and fed the 5,000.
By the end of the chapter, many of those same people
who had heard Jesus speak had deserted Him.
Where Jesus made the greatest impact
was in discipleship.
He chose twelve men and invested His life into them.
It was those men who became the leaders of the early
church, not the ones who simply heard Jesus’ teaching.
If the church wants to make an impact
that will survive more than a generation, it must take the
concept of discipleship seriously.
Sermons and Bible studies play an important role in
building the church but they are one tool in a broad array
that we have been given.
We must use everything that God has given us to edify
the next generation of believers.
This means one on one discipling as well as teaching
and preaching.
