Intentionally helping each other follow Jesus
As I explained in a previous post, I have started “defining discipleship as helping each other follow Jesus.” There are several aspects to this definition (which I described briefly in that previous post), and I think that each of the aspects is extremely important. In fact, when we lose one of those aspects, then we are less effective at discipling one another, and we hinder the growth (maturity) of the church.
For example, I said that it’s important for us to “help each other follow Jesus even when he’s leading us in different directions.” Then, my readers (you) answered this question: “How has someone helped you follow Jesus?” Finally, I argued that when we follow Jesus we also “unintentionally help each other follow Jesus.”
However, when we talk about helping each other follow Jesus (that is, discipling one another), we’re primarily talking about those times when we intentionally help each follow Jesus. We’re typically not talking about unintentional discipleship.
But, is “intentional discipleship” even valid from the perspective of Scripture? Is it valid for us to plan ways to help others follow Jesus? Yes. It’s not only valid, but we’re instructed (commanded) to intentionally help each other follow Jesus.
For example, consider 1 Corinthians 12-14, the longest passage in Scripture on spiritual gifts. Among other things, we’re told that all followers of Jesus are gifted and that the gifts are given for our mutual benefit. We’re also told that when we gather with other believers, we should only exercise those gifts (even gifts from the Spirit of God) if it would edify other people (i.e., help other people grow in maturity in Jesus Christ).
But, where’s the intentional part? It’s in 1 Corinthians 14:26 – “What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up.” (1 Corinthians 14:26 ESV) When they came together, they already had an idea of how they would seek to edify one another. Thus, there was some planning and consideration involved.
However, there is another passage that’s even more straightforward. In Hebrews 10:24-25, the author clearly indicates that we should take the time to both help each other follow Jesus but also to consider how to best disciple each other:
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. (Hebrews 10:24-25 ESV)
Like 1 Corinthians 12-14, this passage tells us that we get together in order to edify one another (although the author of Hebrews uses the related verb “encourage”). But, Hebrews 10:24 begins with the important exhortation: “Consider one another.” (Yes, the “one another” actually goes with the verb “consider.”) In order to “stir up love and good works” and in order to “encourage one another,” we must being by “considering one another.” This shows intentionality, planning, and personal response, realizing that we’re all at different places in our walk with Jesus, and we all need different kinds of help in following Jesus.
So, yes, we do unintentionally help each other follow Jesus when we are following him ourselves. But, we should also intentionally think about those brothers and sisters in Christ who are part of our lives in order to help them follow Jesus.
Of course, what we “consider” goes back to the first post in this series. We don’t “consider” how they can follow what Jesus is calling us to do. Instead, we “consider” how to help them both to understand what Jesus wants of them and also to follow wherever he’s leading them.
Unintentionally helping each other follow Jesus
As I explained in a previous post, I have started “defining discipleship as helping each other follow Jesus.” There are several aspects to this definition (which I described briefly in that previous post), and I think that each of the aspects is extremely important. In fact, when we lose one of those aspects, then we are less effective at discipling one another, and we hinder the growth (maturity) of the church. For example, I said that it’s important for us to “help each other follow Jesus even when he’s leading us in different directions.” Then, my readers (you) answered this question: “How has someone helped you follow Jesus?”
I believe the most important way that we can help each other follow Jesus is by example. Now, please don’t misunderstand this. I don’t mean that we help people by going around trying to be an example. Instead, I mean that as we follow Jesus ourselves, our lives will be examples to those who know us and who observe our lives.
In this way, by following Jesus ourselves, we are also unintentionally helping each other follow Jesus.
In a comment on my previous post, I shared a story about how some friends of mine helped me follow Jesus. This happened while they were loving and serving some people in a nursing home. Their example of loving and serving the residents helped me to follow Jesus as well. But, they were not loving and serving them in order to be an example to me. They were caring for the nursing home residents because they were following Jesus themselves. Their following Jesus became an example to me and others, and their example unintentionally helped me follow Jesus.
So if we are sharing our lives with others and following Jesus at the same time, then our lives will be an example to others. Our lives will help others follow Jesus unintentionally.
Please note, this is completely different than “practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them.” (Matthew 6:1 ESV) If we are saying things or doing things in order to be noticed by others people, then we are not following Jesus.
However, if we are giving others access to our lives and following Jesus (whether others notice or not), then our lives will be an example to others and will help them follow Jesus. This is similar to what Jesus said earlier in Matthew’s Gospel: “Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16 ESV)
Intentional discipleship (intentionally helping each other follow Jesus) is certainly important. I’ll talk about that in my next post.
But, don’t dismiss the importance of unintentional discipleship also. How do you unintentionally help others follow Jesus? By following Jesus yourself.
How has someone helped you follow Jesus?
As I explained in a previous post, I have started “defining discipleship as helping each other follow Jesus.” There are several aspects to this definition (which I described briefly in that previous post), and I think that each of the aspects is extremely important. In fact, when we lose one of those aspects, then we are less effective at discipling one another, and we hinder the growth (maturity) of the church. For example, I said that it’s important for us to “help each other follow Jesus even when he’s leading us in different directions.”
But, what has this looked like in your life? Specifically, how has someone else helped you to follow Jesus?
As you can tell, this is a very short post. Instead of filling this page with my words, I’m hoping that you’ll fill the page with examples. Examples are so important, but they are often in short supply among the church today.
So, please share an example with my readers of how someone else has helped you follow Jesus.
Helping each other follow Jesus… in different directions?
As I explained in a previous post, I have started “defining discipleship as helping each other follow Jesus.” There are several aspects to this definition (which I described briefly in that previous post), and I think that each of the aspects is extremely important. In fact, when we lose one of those aspects, then we are less effective at discipling one another, and we hinder the growth (maturity) of the church.
Among the majority of the church today, “discipleship” is primarily attempted through one person speaking to a large number of people. This can be in the form of a preacher or teacher. Even in many “small groups,” a teacher is responsible for speaking the to the others in the group.
But, there’s an inherent problem in this method: it’s impossible to help each other follow Jesus in this way when Jesus is leading us in different directions.
Yes, it’s true that there are many general commonalities for all followers of Jesus. But, remember that following Jesus is a way of life. While there are many common traits to that way of life, there are also differences in the way we live it out.
For example, we are all called to “love our neighbors.” That’s true. And, we can teach a large number of people at one time that Jesus said, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” But, my neighbor is not your neighbor is not her neighbor is not his neighbor. We are different; our neighbors are different; our strengths and weaknesses are different; our neighbors’ needs and situations are different. We cannot help each other follow Jesus by one person telling the rest of us how to love our neighbors.
Consider this example also: We are all called to “go.” But, where does Jesus want us to go to? Does he want us to go across the street? Does he want us to go across the city to a different neighborhood? Does he want us to go across the state? Does he want ut to go to a different part of the country? Does he want us to travel to the other side of the world? We cannot help each other follow Jesus to where he wants us to go by one person speaking to everyone else.
So, in order to help each other follow Jesus, we must be willing both to speak to each other but also to listen to each other. We must be part of a group that small enough that we can get to know each other and truly encourage one another specifically to follow what Jesus is leading each of us in.
And, this is extremely difficult, even one on one. It’s easy for me to help you follow what Jesus is telling ME. But, that’s not discipleship. Instead, discipleship is helping you follow what Jesus is telling YOU. That’s a huge difference. If you love your neighbor in exactly the same way that I love my neighbor, then you may not actually be loving your neighbor. If you “go” the way that Jesus has told me to go, then you may not be following Jesus where he wants you to go.
So, yes, let’s help each other understand what Jesus tells his followers in common and in general. But, we also need to help each other follow Jesus even when he calls us in different directions.
Defining discipleship as helping each other follow Jesus
According to Matthew, just before Jesus ascended into heaven, he gave his followers this last instruction: And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20 ESV)
The command in this passage is translated “make disciples.” It is precipitated by Jesus’ authority. It includes the aspects of go[ing], baptizing, and teaching. And it is wrapped up in the promise that Jesus will always be with us.
My “go to” definition of making disciples (or discipleship) is this: “Helping each other follow Jesus.”
This definition includes several parts:
“Helping” reminds us that the real work is done by God. He often chooses to use his children (that would be us), but the work is still his. However, there is a role for us to play.
“Each other” reminds us that this is mutual (reciprocal) work. There are no pure discipler->disciple relationship among humans. Instead, we’re all in need of being helped to follow Jesus, and, at the same time, we can all help others to follow Jesus.
“Follow” reminds us that being a disciple is not a passive adventure or a mental exercise. Instead, it is a way of life. (In fact, the first name for “Christianity” was “the Way.”)
“Jesus” reminds us that we do not want people to follow us. We want people to follow Jesus.
Finally, the entire phrase reminds us that there will be some aspects of following Jesus that will be the same (or similar) between different believers. But, at the same time, there will be some aspects of following Jesus that will be different between different believers.
For the next few days, I’ll be publishing posts about “helping each other follow Jesus.” But, for now, I’d have a question for you:
What do you think of my definition “helping each other follow Jesus”? What would you add, change, or remove from this definition?
Scripture… As We Live It #261
This is the 261st passage in “Scripture… As We Live It.”
Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind obey your church leaders, attend church meetings regularly, give offerings to your church organizations, and practice spiritual disciplines. (1 Peter 3:8 re-mix)
(Please read the first post for an explanation of this series.)
Replay: Donkeys sleeping in the bathtub
Four years ago, I published a post called “Donkeys sleeping in the bathtub.” The post was inspired a commercial that was airing around the time that I wrote the post. The commercial was about crazy laws that were on the books in certain states. It made me think about how there are certain traditions among the church, and how those traditions started, and how those traditions just seem to hang around… whether they are helpful or not.
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Donkeys sleeping in the bathtub
According to a commercial on the radio, there is a law in Arizona that makes it illegal to allow a donkey to sleep in your bathtub.
Also, apparently, in Minnesota, there is a law that makes it illegal to cross the Minnesota state line with a duck on your head.
While these laws seem funny and even ridiculous to us, there was probably a good reason for passing the laws in the first place. If we traced the history of these laws, we would probably understand why the laws are on the book. However, while the history may clear things up for us, history will not make the laws make sense today.
Why? Well, most people don’t own donkeys today, much less allow them to sleep in their bathtubs. And, I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone with a duck on their head.
But, of course, once a law is on the books, it is difficult to remove it.
The same thing happens with our traditions and practices and rules in the church. For very good reasons, the church begins doing things and begins doing them in certain ways. Eventually, the reasons disappear, but the practices continue.
Eventually, if we’re not careful, those practices become more important to us than who we are as the family of God in Christ. The way we do things becomes more important than the reason we started doing them in the first place. We become defined by our methods instead of being defined by our relationship with God and with one another.
I think we see this today in many aspects of our lives together as the church. We don’t know why we do the things we do or why we act the way we act or why we’re structured the way we’re structured, but someone must have had a good reason to start doing it this way, and we’re familiar and comfortable with these things, so we just let them continue.
But, the silly laws I mentioned at the beginning of this post – laws against donkeys sleeping in bathtubs and wearing a duck on your head – generally don’t affect people today. For many people, their lives will not be changed if the laws remain or are repealed.
But, it is completely different for the church. The things that we do day after day, week after week, year after year, simply because that’s the ways it’s been done, or the ways we’ve been taught, or the ways that have worked before, or even the ways that seem rational and logical… these things affect us as followers of Jesus Christ. They affect our relationship with God and our relationships with one another.
The things that we do or don’t do, the way that we’re structured or not structured, the way that we speak or don’t speak, all of these things work to either build us up toward maturity in Christ, or they hinder our development in Christ.
Laws against donkeys sleeping in the bathtub seem funny and ridiculous to us. But, I wonder if the way we treat one another as the church, the way we set up hierarchies among believers, the way we abandon our responsibilities toward one another and pay others to carry out our responsibilities… I wonder if these things seem funny to God.
So, why does the church have a love problem?
So, in a previous post, I began “Tackling the Love Problem.” Then I wrote about “The incredible primacy of love… It’s more important than we think.” Next, I said that “We have everything we need to love others.” Finally, I wrote that “Love is easily recognized as love.”
What is the “love problem”? It’s quite simple actually. Jesus said all people would know us by our love. But, when you ask people what they think about Christians, love is far, far down the list… if it even makes the list. We have a love problem.
Now, let’s be honest with ourselves and with one another. We don’t love because we’re disobedient to the Spirit. It really is that plain and simple. The Spirit indwells all of God’s children. The Spirit produces love within us and leads us to love others. But, we don’t do it because we choose not to yield to the Spirit and instead yield to our own desires. (This is described many ways in Scripture, such as presenting ourselves as slaves to sin even though we have already been set free from slavery to sin – Romans 6.)
But, disobedience is not the “love problem.”
Here’s the thing. We should expect new, immature believers to have a harder time love than older, more mature believers. We should see an increase in love as people mature in Christ. Thus, even though many Christians would struggle with love, we should still see a general tendency toward loving others among the church… and that tendency should increase.
That’s not what we see… and while we may want to make excuses, it’s certainly not what the world sees. And, remember, Jesus said “they” would know us by our love.
The “love problem” is a result of lack of maturity in Christ. I think this lack of maturity affects our love (and our demonstration of love) primarily because love cannot be taught through speeches, sermons, books, articles, seminars, conferences, and, yes, even blog posts. As awesome as blog posts are, you will never learn how to love someone by reading one of my incredible posts. You will never be challenged to show love to that difficult neighbor (who you’d rather ignore or perhaps curse) by reading my eloquent prose.
For that kind of “teaching,” we need life on life interaction… the kind of discipleship that we find in Scripture… where (as Paul said) followers of Jesus shared not only the good news but their very lives.
No, we’ll never learn to love by listening to a sermon or reading a book, but we will learn to love to observing the life of a brother or sister in Christ as they learn to love. We will learn to love by being helped to show love to a difficult neighbor by another follower of Christ who has “been there.”
This is why the church has a “love problem.” It’s tied back to our relationships (or lack of relationships) and fellowship (or lack of fellowship) and overemphasis on information transfer.
Because, while the church as a whole can probably tell you the different Greek terms for “love,” and exegete various passages on “love,” and quote several verses about “love”… how many actually know one another well enough to help each other love?
It’s messy work.
The way we typically do things now is much more efficient and “excellent.” But, it’s also producing a “love problem.”
So, what do we do now? What do you do now?
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Series on the “Love Problem”
- Tackling the Love Problem
- The incredible primacy of love… It’s more important than we think
- We have everything we need to love others
- Love is easily recognized as love
- So, why does the church have a love problem?
Love is easily recognized as love
So, in a previous post, I began “Tackling the Love Problem.” Then I wrote about “The incredible primacy of love… It’s more important than we think.” Next, I said that “We have everything we need to love others.”
What is the “love problem”? It’s quite simple actually. Jesus said all people would know us by our love. But, when you ask people what they think about Christians, love is far, far down the list… if it even makes the list. We have a love problem.
There are a couple of things that I always hear when I talk about love. 1) Love is a heart issue, and it’s not about what we do or don’t do. 2) We are loving people, but they just don’t understand or perceive or recognize our love.
To begin with, I agree completely that love is a heart issue, but I disagree that love is not about what we do or what we don’t do. I think it’s both – it is a heart issue and also a practical issue.
But, for the most part, I want to focus on the second response: “We are loving people, but they just don’t understand or perceive or recognize our love.” I think, as we consider this statement, you’ll see why I responded as I did above to the first statement (i.e., that love is both a heart issue and a practical issue).
In the Gospel of Luke, when Jesus said that the greatest commandment was to love God and love your neighbor, someone immediately asked him, “Well who is my neighbor?” As an answer, Jesus provided the story that we now call “The Good Samaritan”:
Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’ Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise.” (Luke 10:30-37 ESV)
If I can, I’d like to point out a few things from this story:
1) Although I’ve heard it brought out many times in sermons and read about it in articles and books, Jesus does not mention the heart or motivation for the priest and the Levite. He only talks about their actions (or lack of actions).
2) In the same way, Jesus does not tell us how the Samaritan feels about God or the beaten man. He only tells us about the Samaritan’s actions.
3) When Jesus asked the lawyer, “Which of these three proved to be a neighbor (i.e., loved the other person)?”, the lawyer did not ask about heart or motivation. He only responded based on the actions of the priest, Levite, and Samaritan.
4) The lawyer quickly and easily recognized that the Samaritan was the good neighbor by his actions.
Is heart and motivation important? YES! Absolutely. But when Jesus said, “They will know you by your love,” he was talking about our actions. When Jesus said, “Love your neighbor,” he was talking about our actions.
And, if this story is a good indication, then those actions will be easily recognized by others as actions motivated by love.
———————————————
Series on the “Love Problem”
- Tackling the Love Problem
- The incredible primacy of love… It’s more important than we think
- We have everything we need to love others
- Love is easily recognized as love
- So, why does the church have a love problem?
We have everything we need to love others
So, in a previous post, I began “Tackling the Love Problem.” Then I wrote about “The incredible primacy of love… It’s more important than we think.”
What is the “love problem”? It’s quite simple actually. Jesus said all people would know us by our love. But, when you ask people what they think about Christians, love is far, far down the list… if it even makes the list. We have a love problem.
Obviously, the “love problem” is not something that can actually be “tackled” in a few blog posts. This series will barely scratch the surface. In fact, I don’t think writing or speaking about love can ever do anything more than scratch the surface, and that’s part of the problem. (But, I’ll get to that later.)
As we think about this love problem, we need to recognize and accept that we already have everything that we need to love others. There’s no reason to wait for God to give us anything more before we love others. We don’t even have to wait for God to tell us to love someone; he’s already told us over and over to love them.
Let’s start with that last point. “Love one another”… “love your neighbors”… “love you enemies”… Together, these are probably the most ubiquitous commands found in the New Testament. We find them on the lips of Jesus in the Gospel. Paul writes these instructions in several of his letters. James includes it as the “royal law.” Of course, John focuses on love in his letters. Peter even includes the command to love five times in his short letter (1 Peter).
So, the command to love is common among Christians. It’s a command found throughout the New Testament Scriptures, and definitely applies to us as well. As a command, we must understand that it requires response on our part. In other words, there’s something we must do. (But, again, I’ll get to that later.)
Note that these commands are given to all recipients of these various books and letters. They are not just given to the more mature believers. Even the youngest, newest, least mature follower of Jesus Christ is command to love.
Why can the authors of the New Testament (and any of us, actually) command/instruct other believers – any other believer – to love others? Because anyone who is a follower of Jesus Christ – who is a child of God – has everything needed to respond to that command. Why? Because the only thing needed is the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit provides everything needed for the child of God to love others. Everything. We don’t need more of anything. We’re no lacking in anything. We have all of the Holy Spirit, and he is all that we need.
So, why is there still a “love problem”? Why do we not love?
———————————————
Series on the “Love Problem”
- Tackling the Love Problem
- The incredible primacy of love… It’s more important than we think
- We have everything we need to love others
- Love is easily recognized as love
- So, why does the church have a love problem?
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About Me
I am a follower of Jesus, PhD student in biblical theology, and an IT manager. My interests include running, coffee, and ecclesiology. My dissertation topic is the purpose of the gathering of the church in the New Testament. By God's grace, I try to live what I am learning about the church. Read more...