In a recent initiative at our church, I provided the opportunity for people to engage with various social issues in our city that involved serving alongside various non-profit organizations. Along with hands-on serving, we met on a monthly basis. These meetings included learning about a specific issue (ie homelessness) from experts in the field as well as reflecting on various scriptures such as Isaiah 58 and the Good Samaritan. Several of the participants indicated to me that they were only coming for the learning about the service opportunities. They didn’t believe the scriptural reflecting would impact them that much since they had grown up in the church and knew it all.

Wow, were they wrong. Not from my perspective but from their own admission. After the 8 month initiative was over, I interviewed a number of them. To a person they described the impact that the scriptural reflection had had on their lives, impact that they had not expected. They were amazed at the power it had to change their hearts and how it made them read the bible differently.

Unfortunately, I see too many so called discipling relationship that limit the input of scripture. They read books about the bible, or books with special interest topics or by the latest Christian writer, but don’t simply have the rawness of scripture in front of them. Perhaps the leader is bored of looking at the bible, or wants to explore other topics of interest to them. That may be fine, yet the role of the leader is to bring into focus the building blocks that any disciple of Jesus needs for long term health and growth.

Scripture is one of the foundational aspect of any life-giving discipling relationship, always has been, always will be. Scripture does change lives. Do you believe it?

“All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the person of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

“How can a young person stay pure? By obeying your word. I have tried hard to find you— don’t let me wander from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.”

Feel free to supplement any discipling relationship with other materials, both written, audio and video. But always remember, your role is to set someone up for long-term stability and growth. The latest author may have some neat things to say, but books with their latest ideas will come and go, they will tickle the mind only for a season. Without the foundation of scripture and the belief that it is a core component, you will not set people up for the long haul. Don’t underestimate the importance of the foundation of scripture. Painting walls that aren’t set on a firm foundation is foolishness.

For the Kingdom.

One aspect of discipleship that I am discovering more and more is the importance of the integration of multiple activities.

My experience has been that many see discipleship as an activity of the mind. Typically, many discipling relationships I have been part of and have watched have been limited to the study/reflection/memorization of scripture and prayer. And while these have been good, I’m realizing that they are not robust enough.

Reflecting on the interactions Jesus had with his disciples, yes, there were times to pause and learn, and often Jesus pulled them aside for some great teaching moments, however more often than not they were actively participating in hands-on ministry. Many times the teaching moments came out of the active ministry they had just participated in.

And while the cultural context allowed for Jesus and his followers to be together 7/24, we need to ask what our cultural context will allow.

I’ve had several conversations with individuals the past few months who have been involved in varying types of discipleship groups. One of the themes that I have been hearing is that their study is becoming dry. The constant input of information, as good and scriptural as it is, is feeling like it is missing meaning, an outlet to practice.

For the past three years, I have been integrating some intentional service with the guys I’ve been meeting with. Whether it is serving breakfast regularly at the homeless drop-in, building picnic tables for a ministry or serving on a non-profit board of directors, these tangible activities have given a context with which to live out our faith. We’ve learned about each other as we’ve watched different giftings shine and personality traits be exposed. We’ve learned about aspects of concern in our city that we wouldn’t have seen otherwise. And our hearts have been exposed to the work of the Kingdom that God is calling us to.

God became flesh and dwelt among us. We too, while we learn to understand God from scripture and through the Holy Spirit speaking to us, must engage practically in the work of the kingdom. These various aspects however must not be done in silos. They work together in the context of a discipling relationship. It may appear more complex, and it is definitely not as convenient, but I believe that discipleship calls us to embrace the complexity of it all.