By Patti Iverson

“This year I resolve to stay out of trouble which will require effort, determination, and being much sneakier.” Garfield the Cat

Discipleship is quite the same! We can be willing, but lazy and unattractive about it. Determined, but lack knowledge and be dumb about it. Sneaky, but silly about it as opportunities are everywhere, right in front of our noses!

Chuck Swindoll summed it up: “To win some you must be winsome.”

Jesus had quite the Discipleship University. He took all those fishermen, folks like you ‘n me, and put them in his practical program with classrooms, tests, field trips, even assignments. That’s even better than Yogi Bear teaching Boo-Boo the ropes! Nowadays many folks are getting information from the Internet, thinking, “Well, if it’s on the Net it’s gotta be right, right?” Uh oh! It is a great tool, but not as perfect as a disciple of Christ teaching first hand from God’s very own book - The Bible. Sometimes people need God with skin on, and that means US!

Some unsaved writers on the Internet and dear ones who have not yet trusted Jesus are NOT the enemy; they are prisoners OF the enemy. But! “Greater is He who is in me than he who is in the world.” I John 4. So take that, Satan! I have decided to follow Jesus, no turning back, and will teach others to do the same.

Bonhoffer said: “Christianity without discipleship is always Christianity without Christ.”

I’ve often been prompted by that subtle holy nudge of God and ignored it. Someone needed me to help teach, come alongside and disciple them, even if only for a moment in time, and what was I doing? I cannot even remember—arrrrgh! But I sure do remember “them,” with a sigh. And how I let “them” down. Blessedly, though—it’s not whether you ALWAYS disciple someone, but it’s whether you EVER do. Do I?

If we get used to following Jesus, being His disciple, it will become habitual for us to mentor and disciple others. Jesus knew we need repetition and said, “Those who are faithful in little will be faithful in much.” So He starts us out in small ways—and then on to bigger and better ones to serve Him and His people.

Discipling doesn’t have to mean we are “stuck” our whole life, 24/7, teaching and working. It can be for a lifetime, yes, but also for a season, or even a moment.

It is good to make sure our discipilees knows what we mean and what we are about—clearly and succinctly. Our goal is either to teach them to bowl, do calculus, or know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

If we say we follow Jesus, we must make disciples of others. We must put Him first in our lives, seek Him daily and not ignore those holy nudges. “If you have not chosen the Kingdom of God first, it will in the end make no difference in what you have chosen instead.” William Law

So, we must choose wisely and not be a Border Collie… J

Patti Iverson writes from Medford, Oregon. randpi2@charter.net