Making Disciples

Talking about disciples and discipleship is characteristically bible-speak, churchese.  We rarely use the words to identify other learning experiences.  We don't say, "I am a disciple of Mr. Smith, my math teacher."  We may talk about apprenticeship or training, but not discipleship.  I dare say students and teachers in our context are not as close in relationship as the biblical rabbi/disciple was.  I don't have evidence to support this at all.  But I would say that most formal education happens in classrooms.  And the goal of teachers is not to make disciples to a way of life, but to teach content and processes of thinking that may be applied to a productive career.  The goal is usually productivity in the west.  Relationships are secondary, at most.  Not so, I suspect,in the eastern world of antiquity.  Productivity was important, as it pertained to sustaining life.  But, healthy relationships were more essential than career aspirations.  
Discipleship was an essential part of 1st century Jewish culture.  Their religious life, centered around the observance of Torah (a word meaning teachings, law, or way), was passed down by teachers or Rabbis to students or disciples.
Disciples were apprentices, training to become Rabbis or observant teachers of Torah.  One stood within a particular rabbi's school of thought or teaching. Rabbi's held different points of view, opinions, and interpretations of Scripture and its application.  Some gifted students were trained or apprenticed to become Rabbis.
Jesus began his own rabbinic teaching, calling disciples to follow him.  His interpretation of Torah was a radical departure from traditional, normative teachings.  He was accused of disobedience and teaching disobedience.  His disciples did not fast or observe cleanliness laws.  He did not respect Sabbath prohibitions.  He did not abide by social, economic, or ethnic prejudices.  He treated women and children with love and respect.  He had compassion on those suffering from illnesses that dehumanized and segregated from community.  He subverted social structures of power and authority, suggesting that pedigree and position and prosperity did not equal divine blessing.
He taught that dying, self-emptying humility, and service were keys to meaningful, lasting life.  Sustainability was found in giving away one's possessions and wealth.
Disciples followed Jesus. They intended to live like he did.  And die like him to.  Many of them did. Peter was crucified upside-down to avoid being too much like the master.
So what is a disciple of Jesus like today?  One who reads the bible and believes that it is holy, inspired by God, and good news for people.  A disciple is learning about healing, reconciliation, and a balanced life with God at the center of it.  Disciples pray.  They are compassionate.  They serve people.  They are concerned for the welfare of people at the bottom of the socio-economic ladder.
How does one become a disciple of Jesus?  Disciples are a community of learners/practitioners.
Disciples are caught.  They are invited.  They experience a thirst or a hunger in their lives to know God.  They seek what they have not found.  Listen to the song "I Still Haven't Found what I'm looking for" by the Irish band U2.  It is the anthem of the postmodern disciple.
I am a disciple.  Not a very good one.  But I'm learning. Not a Jedi Master, but a paduwan learner in the language of "Star Wars".  I am also a Lutheran Pastor.  I have a Masters degree in divinity from the Lutheran Seminary at Gettysburg.  I do not think I am a master yet.  I am studying the work of Christians who believe that making disciples of Jesus is essential to the church's DNA.  They suggest that a process of formation in the teachings of Jesus makes a more compassionate, just, and balanced human being.  Humanity is better when the teachings of Jesus are known and practiced.  Selfless concern for others, generosity, and peace-making are three characteristics of disciples.
Why is discipleship important?  Because the 21st century world lacks a cohesive narrative that examines and articulates what it means to be human.  The Christian story, the story of Jesus, is about the human condition in relation to the God who created life.  We need a carefully developed, tested, enduring, and meaningful narrative to become better at life in this world as human beings.        

balance

Do you live a balanced life?  From Jesus to Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a spiritually formed person is someone whose life is coming into balance.  It is difficult today, in an arrhythmic, 24/7 world, to maintain a healthy balance.  We do not often have daily, weekly, or seasonal routines or rituals that strengthen our relationships, nourish our souls, rest our bodies, and calm our anxious minds.  My spiritual director used to begin our conversations by asking me, “How do you feed you soul?”  It is challenging to strike a balance, to honor all of your relationships; especially the primary relationship with God.   

Balance is about our use of time.  But more than that, it is about our relationships.  As a Christian person, there is always a relational triad or a triangle of relationships that we strive  to keep in perspective, in healthy balance. Jesus is our example. He struck this balance by spending time apart and alone with God the Father; by developing a small or core family group with whom he lived and moved. Known as the twelve, they were not his only disciples, but they were his closest friends. According to Luke’s gospel, Jesus and the twelve men were accompanied by several women; Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Suzanna and some others.  He spent time developing personal relationships with men and women along the way.  Finally, Jesus ‘ primary work of teaching, healing, and feeding people put him in contact with larger groups of people.  Synagogues, villages, and whole communities are affected by Jesus’ work.  He maintained a balance among these three relationships; God, family/friends, and community.  Before key moments or decisions in his ministry, Jesus prayed.  He also seemed to spend equal time between small groups of disciples and large crowds.

As a church, we may think of these three relationships as our IN, UP, and OUT relations.  UP= God; IN= family/friends; OUT=community.  IN and UP without OUT makes an insulated congregation of worshipers with no time for the world.  A lot of larger, program churches focus on these two relationships and ignore getting out.  IN and OUT with no UP makes a nice civic group, like the Kiwanis club.  A lot of congregations became social clubs with occasional service projects, neglecting their relationship with God.  Worship became dull and monotonous. Prayer and bible reading are not encouraged or practiced. Behavior is self-centered, rather than God-centered.  UP and OUT with no IN makes a congregation of active, productive doers.  But there is no time for friendships, community formation, personal care, or ministry of presence.  Worship and service without fellowship makes entry and belonging difficult for newcomers.  These congregations employ worker bees, but may not enjoy time together in small groups for social reasons.  

How balanced is your life?  Are you making time for God, for family/friends, and for others every day?  Every week? 

If you would like help strengthening one relationship area, call or email me. As we seek a balance, we must remember that God is gracious with us. Sustained, perfect balance is not possible.  But we can have fun working on these things together. May the summer be fruitful in your life of faith and in your many relationships.