Discipleship: What it means to Southern Oregon Christians

By Sandy Cathcart

The question was a little harder this time. What does discipleship mean to you? What does it look like? I expected similar answers as I took pen and paper throughout southern Oregon, Instead I was surprised to discover that discipleship takes on different meanings with different people, from the busy young mother to the mature missionary. There are lots of ideas here we can apply to our own lives. (Would you like to be a part of a future question and answer topic? Email sandy at scatquarryhewn@aol.com)

Julie—Ruch, Home schooling Mom, former Wilderness Trails Girls Camp Director:

“I really had to say goodbye in many ways to how I did discipleship at Wilderness Trails Camp when I left to start my family. My kids are the ones I’m now discipling. Six-year-old Matthew is old enough to go out and do his own discipling. He was on the radio the other day and he just went on and on sharing verses. I seldom get alone time with the Lord, but I learn more about the Bible and the Lord while teaching my child than I ever have. Matthew and I are going through the Old Testament and doing a Bible study program. Doing history and starting at creation is really fun! It’s pretty intense for a six-year-old and yet, he’s getting it. For me at this point, discipleship is about me growing with my kids.”

Cat Cathcart—Prospect, known as The Cat Man in outdoor circles.

“Discipleship happens. When two people who love Christ share a relationship, they learn and grow together. When one is weak, the other carries them along, reminds them to turn to God in all things. My hunting partner and I have been switching from teaching to learning and back again over the thirty plus years we’ve been friends. We didn’t set out to discipleship one another. It just happened.”

Lane Hall—Rogue Valley, artist (www.lanehall.com)

"Discipleship is more than believing in Jesus; it’s also becoming more like him."

David Johnson—Central Point, father, grandfather, youth worker:

“My perspective is when two or more believers are together they continually disciple each other. It just happens. It’s not something you set out to do. My goal is not to answer questions but to show others how to answer their own questions according to the Scriptures. Have them do their own exploration, read what the Bible says, because most people read what they think it says instead of what it really says. My friend, Brian Davidson, is a new Christian. He basically knows very little about the Bible, so he wanted somebody to do a Bible study with him. So my son Eric, my grandson Little David, and I meet with him. It started out with my son and me. I’ve discipled my son all my life and I’m continuing to do so in adulthood, although now that he’s an adult, he often disciples me. Then it became Brian and Eric and me. Then after six months, twelve-year-old Little David asked to become a part. Age makes no difference. We’re studying the Word. The Word has no age boundaries. Brian is very aggressive in verbally sharing Christ with others, and that’s someone I need in my life, so he encourages me in evangelism, and I’m discipling him in maturity. So were both disciplers and disciples. It’s not a one-way street.”

Peggy Overstreet—Eagle Point, mother and writer:

“I would liken discipleship to a construction site. As tools in God's hands we are willing to mentor fellow workers, building their areas of weakness and inexperience where God has strengthened us, and humbling ourselves to receive in our own state of demolition. Most of my discipleship has come through my pastor who is a wonderful teacher of theology. I also find lots of opportunities to encourage new or younger Christians who are fresh in their theology. It happens wherever and whenever throughout my week when the Holy Spirit prompts me with a word of encouragement for a specific person. Those are my favorite times because I know God is using me. I’m currently sending card to friends to encourage them in the Lord and let them know I appreciate their friendship.”

Terry & Cynthia Pruett—White City, Missionaries with American Missionary Fellowship:

Cynthia; “Discipleship to me is about teaching, and that’s a gift. Terry and I are not evangelists, but we’re both gifted at teaching. Discipleship is about learning about God through prayer and reading Scripture and applying it and passing it on. The best disciplers are the ones who are like Jesus. Good disciplers challenged me to use what they were teaching to make changes and pass it on, which I do when I speak at ladies functions and Bible studies. On a one-to-one basis it’s not just listening to words, but listening for what the person is really asking. So discipling can mean being a good listener. I love the excitement of learning and helping others that discipleship offers.”

Terry: “Disciple is both a verb and a noun. Discipling is a process and I like to think of it as a process of instruction with a goal in mind. It’s not just teaching random things, but teaching for the specific purpose of making a disciple. Being a disciple is about being a learner who wants to follow in their teacher’s footsteps. When we talk about being a disciple of Christ our goal is to become like Him. Many of the Rabbi’s in Jesus’ day had disciples who wanted to be like them, John the Baptist, for example. John Wycliffe discipled the Lollards. A disciple wants to learn what his master believes, learn what his master is, and believe and emulate the same things. I was discipled a little haphazardly. I came to Christ alone in the middle of the night, but my pastor had essentially led me there. Scripture memorization was one of the first things he led me into, but not verse by verse. He had me regularly memorizing chapters! His formula was memorize and meditate, give back to God. From there he gave me a Strong’s Concordance and kind of turned me loose.”

Sandy Cathcart writes from Prospect, Oregon. scatquarryhewn@aol.com