Why don’t we Christians do better at discipleship?

I want to expound on the thinking about discipleship that John shared on his blog, Blogotional. I have made some minor changes since his post.

I regrettably must say that I am an elementary school level Christian. Where have the last 25 years gone? It is miraculous the Lord hasn’t spit me out for being mediocre. In Revelation 3:15-16, NIV it states, “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.”

“Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.” (Romans 2:2, NIV)

As you, the reader, are my witness before God from this day forward my new motto will be:

THE GLORY OF GOD IS EVERYTHING!

I blame this lack of discipline on no one but myself. But it leads me to the question…..

Why don’t we Christians do better at discipleship?

We rejoice when a soul is won for the Lord but we don’t equip him/her to become a warrior for Christ. And we are in a spiritual war (more about that later) Who is accountable for the new Christian’s training? The soul winner? The pastor? The deacons/elders? The church body? We have soldiers joining our ranks but we forget to send them through boot camp to teach them the fundamentals. We neglect to give them a firm foundation on which to build their Christian life. After boot camp, they need advanced individual training (AIT) just like a US Army soldier. Some want/need special training to become all they can be. That would be our Pathfinders, Rangers and Special Forces. In Christian speak, our Pastors, Evangelists and Missionaries. However, most of us stop after recruitment. Then wonder why the new Christian doesn’t become a great spiritual leader. Anyone into statistics? How many new Christians are still active in church after a year?

You there, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses, entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others. (2 Timothy 2:1-2, NIV)

Holman’s Disciple’s Study Bible says:

“Grace also means God’s power in some instances, as in [verse one].
The pastor is responsible to learn sound teaching and teach it to
reliable members who will teach others. The words of truth are
entrusted to steady teachers, who pass on the message and become
instruments of God revealing his will to disciples. To share Christ is
not the duty of just one or two leaders. They are to teach others how
to evangelize who will then teach others until ALL in the body of
Christ are instructed in sharing their faith. This is how the entire
world can come to hear the gospel.” (Caps and bold lettering added)

I take this to mean it is each and every Christian’s responsibility to teach and equip the new Christian. Granted each person has a part: the pastor, teacher and lay member. In the Army NCO corps, we talk of authority and responsibility. You can delegate authority but you can never delegate responsibility. I believe on Judgment Day God will look in the book and ask why didn’t you equip this one? Or that one? We cannot afford to let one new Christians slip through our fingers because we were too busy. We need to stop our busy-ness and get down to business.

When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. (Luke 9:1-2, NIV)

He has given each of us the power and authority necessary to do what we have been called to do.