1/3/12/70

Welcome to a new series focused on discipleship in four different areas based on Jesus’ own discipleship pattern. Jesus was directly involved in a relationship to the Father (1), to Peter, James and John as his intimate friends (3), to the disciples (12), and finally to a group he sent out on mission (70). In so doing, Jesus set the model (Discipleship by the Numbers: 1/3/12/70) for us to follow. Therefore, intentionality around these four aspects of relationships is vital to growing deeper in our walk with Christ.

The key is to assess where we are in terms of our involvement in these areas and resolve to making steps (baby steps or giant leaps). My guess is that one or several of the areas you are solid in but one or more may also need some work. I’ll leave that assessment up to you and the Holy Spirit and be standing by if you’d like to discuss!

Word of caution…I’m still fleshing all of this out so any and all feedback is incredibly helpful! Would love to hear any questions or “aha’s” either in the comments or directly at todd@lextogether.org.

1

PERSONAL DEVOTIONAL LIFE

eg. Prayer, Scripture, Meditation, Fasting

How do we develop our important one-on-one time with the LORD? As Jesus regularly spent time alone on the hillside prayer so we too are called to spend time alone.

Prayer is a disciplined dedication to paying attention.

John Westerhoff

3

SELF-REFLECTION/ACCOUNTABILITY/TRANSPARENCY

eg. Very Small Group (bands/covenant groups), Spiritual Direction, Counseling

Jesus took Peter, James and John with him just about everywhere he went. In doing so, he shows us the importance of having people who know us well. That may look like our own two or three persons who we have given the permission to know us best and speak words of comfort, challenge and accountability into our lives. Or it may be enlisting the services of a spiritual director or pastor to act as your spiritual trainer just like the one you may have at the gym for your physical health. Or you may find it most helpful to have a trained counselor walk with you to process parts of life that seem most puzzling. Having a place to practice self-reflection, live in accountability, and to be known fully is the key in the 3.

The depth of desire has a great deal to do with the outcome of our life. Often, those who accomplish what they set out to do in life are not those who are the most talented or gifted or who have had the best opportunities. Often they are the ones who are most deeply in touch with how badly they want whatever they want; they are the ones who consistently refuse to be deterred by the things that many of us allow to become excuses.

Sacred Rhythms by Ruth Haley Barton

                                   

12

LEARNING AND CARING GROUP

eg. Sunday School/Book Studies/Other Small Groups

Jesus had the “twelve” that he was in a learning and doing-life relationship. It was the primary unit where discipleship happened. It was not quite as intimate as the “3” but no less important to learning the faith and practicing it alongside others. This is the place where we study the Bible, theology, and doctrines of the church. This is also the space where we care for one another’s physical, emotional and spiritual needs.

Bruce Chilton and J. I. H. McDonald have convinced me that the primary focus in Jesus’ teaching was not God’s love, but God’s rule. It is critical that we understand this, for it affects how we make sense of our call and do our work .

The Sense of the Call by Marva J. Dawn

                                               

70

MISSION

eg. Worship/Serving/Justice and Mercy Ministry

Early in his ministry, Jesus sent 70 into the mission field to heal the sick, cast out evil spirits and pronounce that the kingdom of heaven was at hand. Being part of a church is the way we live into this aspect of discipleship. It is a larger group we are part of that lives out the mission of Jesus Christ within and beyond the walls of the church.

It is easily forgotten that the fellowship of Christian brethren is a gift of grace, a gift of the Kingdom of God that any day may be taken from us, that the time that still separates us from utter loneliness may be brief indeed. Therefore, let him who until now has had the privilege of living a common Christian life with other Christian’s praise God’s grace from the bottom of his heart. Let him thank God on his knees and declare: It is grace, nothing but grace, that we are allowed to live in community with Christian brethren.

Life Together by Dietrich Bonhoeffer