Commentary: Discipling Children

Discipling Children

First, we should clarify that the word discipling is not a proper English word.  Although, it is understood that it means making disciples.  Hence, we are talking this week about making children disciples of Jesus Christ.  Let us first review the biblical definition of disciple.  It means to: 1. abide in Christ and bear fruit; and to pick up your cross, forsake all else and follow Him.  It would behoove us to learn more about following Him. 

When Jesus said, "Follow Me" (a phrase that occurs 17 times in the Gospels), it was for the purpose of making them disciples. A similar phrase, "Come unto Me" (6 occurrences), has the same purpose, for one comes to Jesus to follow Him. One may come initially in response to the mysterious drawing of His Spirit, may be merely curious, and want simply to observe or inquire with no intent to follow. But as the contact occurs, the drawing and coming will lead to following if there is no resistance. Jesus is that charming! We were designed for that, and He has preserved in each the ability to sense His drawing, and agree with it. The Bible calls that faith.

It is in the coming and the following that the discipling occurs.  One of the best known uses of "Come..." promises a gift--"I will give you...." And my coming and His giving leads to another dual invitation--"Take ... and learn...." That must be the essence of discipling--the ongoing coming, giving, taking, and learning. The resultant promise is redundant--"I will give you rest" and "you shall find rest." (Matthew 11:28-30).

Now, as we gathered from the verse, to come unto Him we must be invited or drawn to Him.  Jesus said in John 12:32-33

 

John 12:32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.

John 12:33 This he said, signifying what death he should die.

 

What death did he die?  "… the death of the cross" (Philippians 2:8).  Paul says in I Corinthians 1: 17 -18

 

1 Corinthians 1:17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.

1Corinthians 1:18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

 

And, Paul says that the power of God – unto salvation – is the Gospel.  The word Gospel means good news, it has the same meaning of the root word for evangelism.  Thus evangelism is spreading the good news.  Discipline is what happens when we respond to the drawing. 

 

How does this apply to children?  It must be significant that half of the "Come unto Me" phrases in the Gospels are in reference to allowing the "little children" to do so! Jesus' heart was open to their openness. His simplicity found fellowship in their simplicity. His invitation we considered of "Come ... and learn" described the curriculum--"I am meek and lowly in heart" (Matthew 11:29). In teaching children to be disciples of Jesus, could we also be in school to learn the childlike traits of Jesus Himself from them?   Ellen White seems to agree with this in the following quote,

"I would have humility of mind, and be willing to be instructed as a child. The Lord has been pleased to give me great light, yet I know that He leads other minds, and opens to them the mysteries of His Word, and I want to receive every ray of light that God shall send me, though it should come through the humblest of His servants."  (Ellen White, 1888 Materials, p. 163).

 

It is of these that Jesus said, "Have you never read, 'Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants You have perfected praise" (Matthew 21:16).  This is why in Mark 10:13-16 Jesus asked to let the children come to Him.  Let us read the passage,

 

Mark 10:13-16

13 Then they brought little children to Him, that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked those who brought them.

14 But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God.

15 Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it."

16 And He took them up in His arms, laid His hands on them, and blessed them.

 

Ellen White gives some insight on this incident,

 

In the children who were brought in contact with Him, Jesus saw the men and women who should be heirs of His grace and subjects of His kingdom, and some of whom would become martyrs for His sake…He knew that these children would listen to Him and accept Him as their Redeemer far more readily than would grown-up people, many of whom were the worldly-wise and hardhearted. In His teaching He came down to their level. He, the Majesty of heaven, did not disdain to answer their questions, and simplify His important lessons to meet their childish understanding. He planted in their minds the seeds of truth, which in after years would spring up, and bear fruit unto eternal life.

 

We too need to be as little children.  Let us read Matthew 18: 1 – 4,

 

Mat 18:1 At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?

Mat 18:2 And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,

Mat 18:3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Mat 18:4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

 

Are we willing to humble ourselves as little children?

--
Raul Diaz
www.wolfsoath.com

Discipleship and Prayer

Discipleship and Prayer

John 17:20-21

20 "I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; 

21 that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.

In the last lesson we defined disciples in the light of scripture.   We read in Luke 14,

Luke 14:27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.

Luk 14:33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.

The implication here is clearly that to be Christ disciples you bear your cross and forsake all and follow Him.  In John 15 discipleship is explained in terms of a farming parable.   We read in John 15,

Joh 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

Joh 15:8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.

These two descriptions of discipleship are complementary.   If I remain in A, I cannot remain in B, thus I forsake B.  The bearing of fruit reveals that we are good soil in which the good seed sown and eventually germinated (Luke 8: 4 – 18).  The root found living nutrient and water.   Ellen White sums it up beautifully,

As a flower of the field has its root in the soil; as it must receive air, dew, showers, and sunshine, so must we receive from God that which ministers to the life of the soul.

The presence of God is guaranteed to the Christian…As long as the members of the church shall through faith draw sap and nourishment from Jesus Christ, and not from man's opinions and devisings, and methods; if having a conviction of the nearness of God in Christ, they put their entire trust in Him, they will have a vital connection with Christ as the branch has connection with the parent stock (Our Father Cares; 21 – 22).

How, then does prayer relate to this?  No one will deny the need for prayer.  In the words of Ellen White,

"Prayer is the opening of the heart to God as to a friend. Not that it is necessary in order to make known to God what we are, but in order to enable us to receive Him. Prayer does not bring God down to us, but brings us up to Him."—Ellen G. White, Steps to Christ, p. 93.

"Pray much. Much prayer is necessary to successful effort. Prayer brings strength. Prayer has "subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, turned to flight the armies of aliens."  {SW, February 23, 1904 par. 6} 

Notice how she ties faith (Hebrews 11: 33 - 34) with prayer.   Now, since we describe discipleship in terms of farming, can we explain prayer in terms of farming – or at least biological - imagery?  Ellen White does just this.  Let us read a passage where she does this,

"Prayer is the breath of the soul. It is the secret of spiritual power. No other means of grace can be substituted and the health of the soul be preserved.  Prayer brings the heart into immediate contact with the Wellspring of life, and strengthens the sinew and muscle of the religious experience. Neglect the exercise of prayer, or engage in prayer spasmodically, now and then, as seems convenient, and you lose your hold on God. The spiritual faculties lose their vitality, the religious experience lacks health and vigor" (Messages to Young People, 249, 250.)

When we breathe our body inhales oxygenated air and exhales air with Carbon Dioxide.  Our blood carries the oxygen throughout the body.  The blood returns to the lungs depleted of oxygen to replete itself of oxygen again.  This is an automatic process.  Unless there are problems, no one chooses to breathe; you just do.  What happens if we choose not to breathe?  Most folk cannot hold their breath for more than three to five minutes without fainting.

We read in Luke 18:1:  "And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint."  If we stop breathing we faint; likewise, if we cease to pray, it will not be long before we find ourselves fainting before the trials that inevitably come our way.  It is through prayer that we are braced for difficulties and trials that require strength far beyond our natural human capacity.

Though the Apostle Paul in 1 Thessalonians 5:17, "Christ has urged that His people pray without ceasing. This does not mean that we should always be upon our knees, but that prayer is to be as the breath of the soul. Our silent requests, wherever we may be, are to be ascending unto God, and Jesus our Advocate pleads in our behalf, bearing up with the incense of His righteousness our requests to the Father"  (TMK 78.3). 

This is how Jesus lived, "… Jesus lived in dependence upon God and communion with him. To the secret place of the Most High, under the shadow of the Almighty, men now and then repair; they abide for a season, and the result is manifest in noble deeds: then their faith fails, the communion is interrupted, and the life-work marred. But the life of Jesus was a life of constant trust, sustained by a continual communion: and his service for heaven and earth was without failure or faltering.  {SW, February 23, 1904 par. 7} 

Just like our whole body benefits from breathing, the body of Christ is to benefit from prayer.  Real prayer is by definition intercessory.  Prayer – in its true sense - links us to God and others.  Ellen White says,

"What does intercession comprehend? It is the golden chain which binds finite man to the throne of the infinite God. The human agent whom Christ has died to save importunes the throne of God, and his petition is taken up by Jesus who has purchased him with His own blood. Our great High Priest places His righteousness on the side of the sincere suppliant, and the prayer of Christ blends with that of the human petitioner"  (TMK 78)

When we pray for others we become as vessel, conduits, or channels to distribute God's blessings to others.  We become as fountains springing God's living water so others can quench their thirst for righteousness (John 7: 38).  

--
Raul Diaz
www.wolfsoath.com

Commentary: Discipling Through Metaphor

Discipling Through Metaphor

"Jesus spoke all these things to the crowd in parables; he did not say anything to them without using a parable. So was fulfilled what was spoken through the prophet: 'I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter things hidden since the creation of the world' " (Matthew 13:34, 35, NIV).

In this lesson we study the importance of parables, especially as the pertain to disicipleship.  Our lesson states:

Thus, Jesus framed eternal truths in ways that went beyond mere intellect alone.  Jesus spoke through concrete pictures drawn from everyday life in order to reach people where they were. Children and adults could understand deep truths delivered through parables wrapped in images and metaphors.  Meanwhile, complex concepts such as justification, righteousness, and sanctification were easily grasped through the Master Storyteller's art. In other words, concepts that are often difficult to grasp in ordinary language can be taught through symbols and metaphors.

We read from the writing of Ellen White,

"Jesus desired to awaken inquiry. He sought to arouse the careless, and impress truth upon the heart. Parable teaching was popular, and commanded the respect and attention, not only of the Jews, but of the people of other nations. . . .

"Again, Christ had truths to present which the people were unprepared to accept or even to understand. For this reason also He taught  them in parables. By connecting His teaching with the scenes of life,  experience, or nature, He secured their attention and impressed their hearts. Afterward, as they looked upon the objects that illustrated His lessons, they recalled the words of the divine Teacher. . . .

"Jesus sought an avenue to every heart. By using a variety of illustrations, He not only presented truth in its different phases, but appealed to the different hearers."—Ellen G. White,  Christ's Object Lessons, pp. 20, 21.

The word disciple means One who embraces and assists in spreading the teachings of another; and or an active adherent, as of a movement or philosophy.  The word disciple comes from the Old English discipul, which in turns come from the Latin discipulus ("a pupil, learner"), wich in turn comes from discere ("to learn"); akin to docere ("to teach").  The greek word is mathetes has the same meaning.

In the past to become a disciple you had to follow the Master.  This would require the disciple to leave all behind: his family, friends, occupation, former life etc.  The disciple would then undergo a transformation.  He would become more and more like his master.  At the end, all would know that this person was a disciple of the particular master.

Such was the case with the disciples.  Listen to Peter's words in Luke 18:28, "Then Peter said, Lo, we have left all, and followed thee."  This concept of leaving all behind is at the center of Luke 14: 27 – 33.  Let us read it,

 

Luk 14:27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.

Luk 14:28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?

Luk 14:29 Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him,

Luk 14:30 Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.

Luk 14:31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand?

Luk 14:32 Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace.

Luk 14:33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.

 

Verses 27 says that those who bear their cross are Christ's disciples.  Likewise, verse 33 says that whoever follows Jesus are His disciples.  This would mean those who bear their cross are who forsake all.  We can see this in Paul.  Let us read from Philippians 3,

 

Phi 3:1 Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe.

Phi 3:2 Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision.

Phi 3:3 For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.

Phi 3:4 Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more:

Phi 3:5 Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;

Phi 3:6 Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.

Phi 3:7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.

Phi 3:8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,

 

We do notice however that although Paul forsook his former life, he never ceased to love and serve his people.  In Romans, Paul revealed his feelings for the Jews,

 

Rom 9:1 I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost,

Rom 9:2 That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart.

Rom 9:3 For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:

Rom 9:4 Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises;

Rom 9:5 Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.

 

Paul said he would gladly give up his place in the Kingdom of God, if by so his fellow Jews could be saved.  Here then is revealed the fruit of the Gospel: a willingness to lay down your life for your brethren.  As we read in 1 John 3: 16,

 

1Jo 3:16 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

 

No one could deny that Paul was more and more like Jesus.  Niether could they deny this of the disciples.  Many concluded this of Peter and John,

 

Act 4:13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.

 

This is one of the main points of Jesus' agricultural parables.  Let's look at the parable used in our quarterly: the parable of the sower in Matthew 13.  The evidence that the seed fell on good soil was that it bore fruit (Matthew 13: 7).  Other parables elaborate on this concept.  In John 15 we are told how we can bear fruit,

 

Joh 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

 

And, in verse 8 Christ identifies bearing fruit with discipleship,

 

Joh 15:8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.

 

What happens with those who do not bear fruit? We read in verse 6,

 

Joh 15:6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.

 

This concept is very clear in the parable of the barren fig tree. If it does not bear bruit it will be cut down (Luke 13: 9).  This is also evident in the Old Testament parable found in Ezekiel 15: 1 -7.  The wood of a vine that does not bear fruit is good for nothing else then to serve as fuel for fire. 

 

Ellen G. White says,

 

Should we go into the garden and find that there was no sap in the plants, no freshness in the leaves, no bursting buds or blooming flowers, no signs of life in stalk or branches, we would say, "The plants are dead. Uproot them from the garden; for they are a deformity to the beds." So it is with those who profess Christianity, and have no spirituality. If there are no signs of religious vigor, if there is no doing of the commandments of the Lord, it is evident that there is no abiding in Christ, the living vine.

The first lesson to be taught . . . is the lesson of dependence upon God. . . . As a flower of the field has its root in the soil; as it must receive air, dew, showers, and sunshine, so must we receive from God that which ministers to the life of the soul.

The presence of God is guaranteed to the Christian…As long as the members of the church shall through faith draw sap and nourishment from Jesus Christ, and not from man's opinions and devisings, and methods; if having a conviction of the nearness of God in Christ, they put their entire trust in Him, they will have a vital connection with Christ as the branch has connection with the parent stock (Our Father Cares; 21 – 22).

 

Are you bearing fruit?  Are you laying down your life fir the brethren?  Abide in Christ.

--
Raul Diaz
www.wolfsoath.com