Why am I telling you this? First-because many of you are members of my church or community and may feel a desire to be a part of this sort of program. Let me know! Second-because it is God's command, I think it is important to educate about it. And Third-because I'm passionate about what it did for me and feel the need to tell others!
2 Timothy 2:2 says, "And the things you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will also be able to teach others." Discipleship is simply doing that! It is the Biblical method of Spiritual multiplication. The goal is for one person (Paul, in this case) to sit down and teach a couple devoted followers everything he knows. Then, those followers will take a few, etc, etc. The joy of discipleship is that no matter how spiritually mature you are (or immature), you can disciple someone who is a few steps behind you. We are all constantly growing together. It becomes a sense of accountability. If I learn about Scripture memory from my mentor and am supposed to teach/instruct my disciple on this concept in a month-I'm a whole lot more likely to memorize some verses and put the discipline into practice! It challenges you to stay a few steps ahead of your disciple for that season.
Why is it my passion? Why do I think it is crucial to the church to have a discipleship program? Well, honestly it is how I finally began to grow spiritually. You see, I accepted Christ at a young age of 6. Between the ages of 6 and 17, I had Spiritually vibrant seasons and dry seasons. There was no real logic or methodology to my growth. I would sometimes do really well and feel closeto the Lord. Other times, I was concerned that I wasn't doing something right or maybe wasn't even a believer. That all changed when I went to college. Cru, or Campus Crusade for Christ, as it was called then introduced me to the concept of one on one discipleship. Over my years in college, I had many different disciple mentors, but one thing remained-they challenged me and taught me more in my walk with Christ than I had learned in 17 years previously. I think the one on one investigation of Scripture and the Spiritual Disciplines prompted me to dive in and understand more and more-ultimately drawing me nearer to the Lord.
My sophomore year, I chose three girls to meet with and disciple. At the same time, this was the single most challenging year of my life this far. I battled depression fiercely, pushed people away, and spent many hours weeping in my bed. The story of redemption and lessons through this year is for another day, but I know that it was the accountability to lead these girls spiritually (when I had NOTHING to give of mysel) is what kept me afloat. Knowing I had to meet with them, having read a certain chapter of a John Piper book or done a certain Bible study kept me in contact with my Savior...and ultimately, the contact with my Savior is what kept me afloat.
In my married years, discipleship is something I have let go. It was harder to find someone within the church. I mean, what do you say "hi, I think you're wise in the Word. Would you mentor me weekly?" Or "I feel the Lord moving me to mentor you one on one-you game?" I kid, but that's how it felt to me. And so I avoided it until I began to meet other women with the desire to grow in this way, until 2 Timothy 2:2 hit my like a smack in the face-Megan this is My command to you. Do it. So, the other Small Group coordinators and I approached our church staff and set the ball rolling. I've written/adapted outlines for the mentor from Cru, and next week we will begin a Paul and Timothy mentor program at our church.
I am so grateful that the Lord has worked effectively on this ministry. I pray that you will find your Paul or your Timothy, and know if I can, I will help you!
Megan, I am personally very thankful for the passion you developed in college for discipleship and the investment you made. It was also an interesting transition for me from college crusade where discipleship was so encouraged and available to a church where it wasn't as easy to approach someone and ask them to disciple/mentor you. It's awesome that you are working towards making that readily available at your church, keep up the good work!
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