Enjoy Life, Enjoy God

DISCIPLESHIP

December 21, 2010

A key element of being a disciple is not singular but plural. In other words, to be a disciple of Christ goes beyond the self.

After that whole generation had been gathered to their ancestors, another generation grew up who knew neither the Lord nor what he had done for Israel.
                                                                           - Judges 2:10 TNIV

Moses died, and Joshua took over leadership of the people of God.  Joshua died, but then something went wrong. Discipleship, passing on the faith to subsequent people and generations, soon failed; and God was an afterthought. It spelled heartache and doom for the people. It had happened before in Exodus 1:8.  Soon after Joseph's magnificent reign in Egypt, Joseph and his legacy as a godly leader is off the radar. Next thing that happens? Israel is in slavery.

As Christ-followers discipleship means we are intentional about others, specifically the next generation, notably our children. This cannot be out-sourced to our pastors, church leaders, and youth ministers. It's what WE do. Discipleship is central to what it means to be a disciple.

Joyfully,

Dale Patterson