Primary passages:Matthew 4:18-22, 9:9-13, 10:1-4.
What we want to look for is
1. What are the Characteristically of a Disciple
I was taught that a potential disciple should be faithful, available, and teachable (FAT) do you see biblical evidence for these criteria in Matthew. If so, how do the passages in Matthew help shed light on the biblical definition of each of the terms.
2. How was Jesus able to Chose his disciples, and how can we learn from that.
Not trying to cause an argument, but I've been taught a little different. Our disciples should be willing. Which, my definition does encompass all of yours in most cases. It's just that all of these guys had jobs that would appear that they would not be available. I've found that one to be somewhat difficult to determine.
ReplyDeleteBut, I've found willingness to be something necessary. The disciples had to be willing to go for it all. They had to be willing to leave, willing to try new things (like walk on water), willing to put their pride down (be teachable), willing to spend all of their time with Jesus (faithful). This is something I've seen in everyone I've ever discipled and every failure. The successes come in the people who the Lord pointed out as hungry, like a deer pants for water. Sometimes their schedules made things difficult because I tried to honor commitments, but that's something I haven't yet gone over with God. But every failure came with people who had other things above Christ and couldn't meet for every reason they could make up.
This is just what I've learned so far.
good point. Do you think that it is important that the disciples made themselves available when they were called to? Jesus said "follow me" and they left their jobs to follow him, thus making all of them available.
ReplyDeleteI didn't put available in there, but I meant to. I definitely agree. I guess I looked at not what they did, but why they did it. If they have the right willingness, then they will make themselves available. Availability is huge. Good point sir.
ReplyDeleteI would also like to point out that sometimes...most times, God has pointed out and put me in situations with people who I did not expect. God knows who He's calling. Most times, I don't.
That's a great point. Jesus chose a tax collector who worked for the Roman government, and he chose a zealot who hated the Roman government. He chose Peter who couldn't stop talking even at the Transfiguration, and he chose several disciples who its hard to find a single thing they said.
ReplyDeleteThat brings up the question of how can we then know who to train, if Jesus didn't really have a set mold. The answer is in Luke 6:12. In this account it describes what Jesus did before he appointed the twelve: He prayed for a day and a night on the side of a mountain. Jesus' example is clear, It is impossible to be an effective worker for the kingdom without prayer.