In The Trellis and the Vine (Matthias Media, 2009) authors Colin Marshall and Tony Payne compare the process of discipleship to parenthood. Although developing skills through courses and programs is helpful, it takes much more. To truly develop people who will walk with God we must invite them into our lives so that they can observe how we walk with God in every aspect of our own life. This level of transparency can be frightening, but it better fits the kind of discipleship that Paul modeled as he repeatedly encouraged those he had discipled to "imitate me" (1 Cor. 4:14-17; 10:32-11:1; Phil. 3:17, 1 Thes. 1:4-7)
They suggest (pg. 78) that discipleship is only complete when it develops all three of these areas:
- conviction - their knowledge of God and understanding of the Bible
- character - the godly character and life that accords with sound doctrine
- competency - the ability to prayerfully speak God's word to others in a variety of ways.
What would this kind of discipleship look like? Have you tended to view discipling as just working through a Bible study or similar mechanism to help a person understand the basics? What would happen if you invited someone to truly walk alongside you to observe the struggles as well as the victories?
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