This week in YG

Acts 15:36-16:5
The book of Acts is like the sequel to the Gospels.
After everything that happened between the disciples and Jesus.
All the training
and listening
and learning
and wrong answers
and rash promises
and minds being blown
We find them in Acts.
Not just are they in Acts but they are also in charge of the movement that Jesus started.
After a few chapters they've undergone a transformation to become leaders with "authority".
They aren't just in charge, they have God's authority, that is a very special gift.

This is what happens when discipleship is done right.

Within this passage the great missionary team of Paul and Barnabas split up.
Yet this allows each of the great missionaries to take on new partners. Who were not quite as seasoned as either Paul or Barnabas. As well as the addition of Timothy in Paul's team.

The way they teamed up is very important.
1st it shows that ministry was done with at least two people (not including spouses).
2nd We see that there is a "culture" of discipleship already established.

When I say "culture" I mean that there exists an established tradition of the mature (spiritually, skilled, etc.) taking in and educating through direct apprenticeship those of a less mature nature.

Paul and Barnabas do not try and find partners that are just as experienced as they are. Instead what they do is find those who aren't. By finding someone who is not quite as experienced they are able to spread their knowledge and experience to the next generation of Christians. Who will then do likewise. Always one generation training the next in the way of the Christ-like life.

Today the idea of discipleship is a buzzword for church programs and does not usually reflect the direct nature of what is illustrated within the Gospels and Acts.

I may be repeating myself and talking a lot about disciples this summer, but only because I don't want you to ever forget how important this is.

The importance comes from it's unique ability to transform and educate young and immature christians into the amazing saints that exist in our congregations. Although they do not exist in enough abundance.
For example, let us think of a person we each admire as a christian role model. A great christian in our midst.
It is likely that they did not wake up one day as an amazing Christ follower. It is also likely that they instead learned how to be a great christian from another great christian. That they were challenged and grown through a long relationship or multiple relationships throughout their lives.

It may be absurd to point it out but, disciples are willing participants.
I simply point this out because an unwilling student never blossoms.
Within the stories of Jesus we see someone who solicits seemingly random unqualified people and at his beckoning they follow him immediately. However Jesus' method of cultivating disciples is the opposite of the traditional rabbinical style. In which students would go to the Rabbi and be tested as to their knowledge and ability.

Recently I have heard a suggestion that to get disciple you need to go to people and bring them under your wing. While I can see where they would get their conclusion from, I'm not sure it works with the nature of discipleship. As discipleship is a relationship there is a meeting in the middle. The student must want to learn and the mentor must want to teach. Without both parties engaged learning will not happen.

Before continuing I need to make known a very important element of this spiritual apprenticeship. As much as the mentor and student try and foster growth 1 Cor. 3 has a myriad of things to say about growth. While some plant seeds, and others water it but God is the one that makes the seed grow. As much as we each want to take credit for amazing growth that happens in our congregations and youth groups it is God that had them grow. While I don't get to yell "I did that! I made them awesome!" I do find myself yelling "I helped!" This goes both ways as Paul continues in that very scripture. He equates us to God's building. That Jesus is the foundation and Paul did some work on the building and then someone else will do some more work. Paul equates the effort and quality of our work to different building materials: gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw. "their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light" 1 Cor. 3:13 What kind of materials do we build with? Because not only do we have to be accountable for our success stories but also we get to say "I helped!" with those that were not so successful. I will remember those equally as strongly as those that have become great servants.

So what is the work of discipleship? What does one learn in this kind of apprenticeship?
Servanthood.
Very simply one learns the orthodoxy and orthopraxis of what the early church called "the way". The value of discipleship is that it doesn't just teach "right thinking" but also "right actions". To know the significance of Jesus washing his disciples feet is not the same as having Jesus the Christ lower himself to such a humble and nearly shameful task and clean your very feet. Foot washing ceremonies that are reenacted today are seen as a beautiful ceremony or illustration. However when Jesus did it there was likely no sense of beauty in the room. There was more likely a stunned silence. Except for Peter who was offended and did not want to allow Jesus to humble (but more likely humiliate) himself to his disciples.

So to review:
What is a disciple/discipleship?
It is big and it is long term.