In a recent initiative at our church, I provided the opportunity for people to engage with various social issues in our city that involved serving alongside various non-profit organizations. Along with hands-on serving, we met on a monthly basis. These meetings included learning about a specific issue (ie homelessness) from experts in the field as well as reflecting on various scriptures such as Isaiah 58 and the Good Samaritan. Several of the participants indicated to me that they were only coming for the learning about the service opportunities. They didn’t believe the scriptural reflecting would impact them that much since they had grown up in the church and knew it all.
Wow, were they wrong. Not from my perspective but from their own admission. After the 8 month initiative was over, I interviewed a number of them. To a person they described the impact that the scriptural reflection had had on their lives, impact that they had not expected. They were amazed at the power it had to change their hearts and how it made them read the bible differently.
Unfortunately, I see too many so called discipling relationship that limit the input of scripture. They read books about the bible, or books with special interest topics or by the latest Christian writer, but don’t simply have the rawness of scripture in front of them. Perhaps the leader is bored of looking at the bible, or wants to explore other topics of interest to them. That may be fine, yet the role of the leader is to bring into focus the building blocks that any disciple of Jesus needs for long term health and growth.
Scripture is one of the foundational aspect of any life-giving discipling relationship, always has been, always will be. Scripture does change lives. Do you believe it?
“All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the person of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
“How can a young person stay pure? By obeying your word. I have tried hard to find you— don’t let me wander from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.”
Feel free to supplement any discipling relationship with other materials, both written, audio and video. But always remember, your role is to set someone up for long-term stability and growth. The latest author may have some neat things to say, but books with their latest ideas will come and go, they will tickle the mind only for a season. Without the foundation of scripture and the belief that it is a core component, you will not set people up for the long haul. Don’t underestimate the importance of the foundation of scripture. Painting walls that aren’t set on a firm foundation is foolishness.
For the Kingdom.