teaching

[creativemechanic]

Interesting point:

The best translation of teach in the great commision found in Matthew 28:19 is actually "make disciples of". We as Christians aren't just to witness to people but also guide and train them in the faith.

Something I think is sadly lacking in my life and when I witness.

[Esther4:14]

I think you are so right and I can sympathize with the sense that I fall short in that area.  I remember reading Hebrews 5:12 about 8 years ago " In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again. You need milk, not solid food!" 

 

I felt guilt over this verse for years.  

 

[RustyAngeL]

3 hours ago, creativemechanic said:

Interesting point:

The best translation of teach in the great commision found in Matthew 28:19 is actually "make disciples of". We as Christians aren't just to witness to people but also guide and train them in the faith.

Something I think is sadly lacking in my life and when I witness.

Jesus told us to go into the all the world and preach the gospel.  Sometimes mechanic, we don't even have to open our mouth.  When we totally submit to Christ our lives are going to show Who we serve.  Don't worry, God will set you on a path to those He wants you to reach.  Remember the key word is "SUBMIT"   Ask God every time you are out and about to just put someone in your path.  He will.   God uses those of us who think we are the least to show His power, and love the most.

[RustyAngeL]

3 hours ago, algots said:

It's kind of hard to make Disciples when we're too busy doing drive-by evangelism.

What would you describe as "drive-by evangelism? 

[RustyAngeL]

6 minutes ago, algots said:

You know what a drive-by is, right?

Instead of using a firearm, we use Jesus.

I don't get why you would use such a term.  We share Jesus with people.  Maybe you could put it in a different way.

[RustyAngeL]

Just now, algots said:

Because, personally, that's the way I see it is done.

I'm in agreement, for the most part, with Mechanic, that we are to make Disciples of people, not, simply, "shoot them with Jesus" and be on our way...unless, of course, they are interested. Then we "invite them to our Church", so someone else can complete the job.

Jesus didn't just give out the Gospel to the 12, then just left them to fend for themselves. He discipled them.

That isn't how everyone does it.  We can plant seeds and then someone can reap the harvest or the other way around.  I just make myself available and then follow God's lead.  

I"m glad you have it down pat.... as I said I just make myself available and do what He ask's to the best of my ability.

[Omegaman 3.0]

Yes, He said, I will make you fishers of men.

What we should do though, is realize that disciples, make deciples, and should have a "You caught them, you clean them" attitude.

 “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

[enoob57]

John 15 is clearly the point in all this... your fruit His supply continually toward growth thru you...

[MorningGlory]

14 hours ago, Omegaman 3.0 said:

Yes, He said, I will make you fishers of men.

What we should do though, is realize that disciples, make deciples, and should have a "You caught them, you clean them" attitude.

 “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

I like that 'you caught them, you clean them' saying, O Man!!  It's true; we shouldn't just hand someone a tract or speak a sentence to them.  I'm going to start encouraging questions and see if that is more productive.  I don't think I'm qualified to teach but I CAN guide.

[Omegaman 3.0]

8 minutes ago, MorningGlory said:

I like that 'you caught them, you clean them' saying, O Man!!  It's true; we shouldn't just hand someone a tract or speak a sentence to them.  I'm going to start encouraging questions and see if that is more productive.  I don't think I'm qualified to teach but I CAN guide.

Notice though MG, that the great commission there, does not tell us to be theology professors, it only says to teach disciples to observe Jesus' commandments.

Get out a notepad, and get a red letter addition of the Bible in hand, and look through the sayings of Jesus, to see what He had told the apostles to do. Basically, that mostly limits that requirement to the gospels, and a lot of what one will see there, is redundant between the four gospels. That is not a lot of material, and not a lot of interpretation is needed, just basically a repetition of what Jesus said. One does not have to be all that well studied, insightful, or otherwise specially qualified, to just hlep people understand, what Jesus expects from disciples. We all can do that, and, it does not say:

"Do it when you feel qualified!"

it just says:

"Do it!"

Right?

Of course, as we do this, there will be questions new disciples will have. However, that is a chance for us to learn as well, when we do not know something, we can find out, and get back to them, or point them to where they can get answers. We can help them find a good local fellowship, where they can grow further, and of course once the "Jesus said" requirements are out of the way, they can get the teachings of the apostles themselves, in the New Testament, just as you and I already do.

Thanks for your reply MG, it was nice, but don't sell yourself short, you can do it!