What DID Jesus Do? |
A popular saying has been "What Would Jesus Do?" We have seen "WWJD?" on bumper stickers, t-shirts, bracelets and billboards. However, an even more relevant question is "What DID Jesus Do?" Below is a look at what Jesus actually did, and the implications that these actions have on making disciples. The Great Commission: As Simple As the ABC's
Four Components to Jesus' Personal Discipleship There are at least four major components to what Jesus did when He was showing us how to make disciples. He did not just command us to disciple. In addition to the command, He paved the way in showing His followers how to make disciples themselves. Parents, grandparents and pastors who want similar fruit to what Jesus produced will follow His example. Below are some of the implications of following the examples demonstrated by Jesus. Here are the Four Components and their implications for families. 1) Jesus Told His Disciples to Follow Him, While He Showed Them How to Follow God. Jesus did not tell His disciples to follow other teachers; He warned against "false teachers" and rejected teachers of questionable beliefs. Paul followed the example of Jesus as he instructed believers to follow him; 1 Corinthians 11:1 "Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ." Parents who disciple like Jesus will tell their children to follow them, and will be very careful of who or what they allow to teach or influence their children. Modern day "Teachers" can include both people, peers and media. Media includes influences such as curriculums, books, television, music, movies, gaming, internet, etc. 2) Jesus Was With His Disciples For the Majority of Most Days. Jesus was not merely with His disciples in His spare time. Mark 3:14 says "Then He appointed twelve, that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach,..." The idea of "Quality Time" is one of the great lies of our times; our "microwave" approach to discipleship is not working. Like Jesus, parents who disciple like Jesus will sacrifice time, careers, hobbies, prestige, money, entertainment and possessions in order to be with their children. "Quantity Time" is what it takes to build deep relationships. 3) Jesus Frequently Taught His Disciples Scripture and Showed Them How to Minister to Others. Jesus practiced Deuteronomy 6:7 but took it to a new level; 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up." He frequently taught His disciples scripture each day and showed them how to live. Parents who disciple like Jesus will constantly look for opportunities to pray, to read scripture, to sing hymns and spiritual songs, to talk about the goodness of the Lord, and to show their children how to live through ministry to others. 4) Jesus Protected His Disciples From the Wolves. When Jesus sent His disciples out, He didn't send them out until they were ready. Even then He did not send them out alone, and they were grown men! He sent them out with other mature Christians because there were "wolves" in the world. Jesus was aware of the wolves and He protected His disciples. Luke 10:1 After these things the Lord appointed seventy others also, and sent them two by two before His face into every city and place where He Himself was about to go. ...3 Go your way; behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves." Unfortunately, today there are many more "wolves" that would love to steal, kill and destroy our children. Parents who want to disciple like Jesus will never send their children into the world alone; like Jesus they will only allow their children to go out with trusted Christian adults. Wise parents will make themselves aware of the "wolves" that threaten their children and will take measures to protect them. Consider Jesus as the Shepherd in the 23rd Psalm, vs 8 "Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me.." Let us be with our little lambs when they are in the dangerous world in which we live. Two Training Approaches
Priorities and Results: Two Approaches
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