Discipleship Through Language
We call it an English Conversation class. There are six young people ages, 16 to 29, who gather in our apartment to practice English. They are eager to learn. The group consists of college students, a high school student, career builders, and searchers. Their enthusiasm to learn is encouraging and contagious. This week the group will grow by one or two more people. While teaching these young people, we are learning more Spanish, as well. This group has a two-fold purpose, to teach English so we have more translators and to train in evangelism. This week we will begin evangelism training using the Way of the Master.
After eight months of observing and interviewing, we have learned that the Christians here have a very hard time sharing the gospel. They have separated themselves and are viewed by the world as proud separatists who think they are special and better than everyone else. Feeding this type of mentality are many of the pastors who are theologically self taught and too proud to receive training themselves. The local self appointed apostles are telling them there is no need for seminary type learning, that they are fully equipped to meet the needs of their congregations simply because of their call and their position in God’s kingdom.
We aren’t denying the power of God to impart knowledge supernaturally. Those who know us well, know we fully believe God’s supernatural power is absolutely sufficient to meet all our needs and desires. But God’s Word is clear about seeking more through our own choices and efforts.
Proverbs 2:3-5 For if you cry for discernment, Lift your voice for understanding; If you seek her as silver And search for her as for hidden treasures; Then you will discern the fear of the LORD And discover the knowledge of God.
Proverbs 3:13 How blessed is the man who finds wisdom And the man who gains understanding.
The primary knowledge we should gain is the knowledge of God. It is more than just mere apprehension of Biblical facts or truths. True Biblical training emphasizes true righteousness through knowing Him, being what He created us to be and doing what we see the Father doing. The supreme goal of all instruction from God’s Word is not Bible knowledge in itself, but to know God which brings forth an inward transformation that is expressed in love, purity of heart, a clear conscience, and faith without hypocrisy. Or as the Apostle Paul wrote:
that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; (Philippians 3:10)
These young people in our group come from different backgrounds, life experiences, and churches. We are discipling them with strategic goals in mind. Our essential task in discipling this group is to embody the massage of Jesus.
Jesus focused his efforts and invested his time and energy on a band of twelve followers. What we now know as the church would emerge after his death and resurrection from this group of disciples. Beginning with their influence, the whole Christian movement, the most significant movement in history, has extended itself throughout the ages. The simple acts of Jesus investing his life and embedding his teachings in his followers and developing them into authentic disciples brought about the historic paradigm call the Christian Church.
Our hope is to emmulate Jesus with this little group we are starting with. Colombia needs the Gospel. The present Christian church needs leaders who are committed to seeking the truths of God and sharing the knowledge of God with their friends, neighbors, city, country and the world. We will be meeting the teams coming to Peru in June for the summer mission trip and crusade. Two of our young people will be accompanying us. They will put to practice their English skills while making new friends with their contemporary neighbors to the north. An added plus is that they will learn a little about the missional call of God. They are very excited about having this opportunity and are already embracing the experience with great enthusiasm.