The Sparkle of a Diamond: The Value of Discipleship
Have you ever thought about how valuable discipleship is? We ascribe value to lots of things in our world: homes, cars, jobs, jewelry, ideas, and on it goes. I was thinking about the value we place on diamonds. These jewels are created over time, with much pressure, often in a place of darkness. The beautiful diamond starts as a lump of coal, dirty and useful mainly for burning for fuel. Several factors go into determining the total value of a diamond: cut, clarity, size (carat to keep the alliteration going). Each of these factors matter when determining the value of the gem, and we will discuss those in the coming weeks.
Discipleship is so much more valuable than a diamond. The soul of the disciple is more valuable to God than the most beautiful gem that has ever been created.
“For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?”
Mark 8:36 ESV
But, too often, we take for granted the value of the souls in our circles. We assume they are getting what they need for growth as they rub elbows with more mature believers, or that they will grow from the amazing preaching coming out of the pulpit. We forget the value that God places on human life.
“The Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.”
Zephaniah 3:17 NLT
Discipleship, authentic discipleship, takes time. There is no drive-through discipleship. When we decide to disciple another believer, we need to count the cost of the hours we will be spending with that person. Unfortunately, many believers fail to count that cost, and they fizzle out before we get to the heart of discipleship. Our people need us to set aside the time to fully engage in life with them. Take a look at your calendar. Where have you set aside time for intentional discipleship? What do you need to change or eliminate in order to make time to invest in others?
Discipleship requires energy, and energy may be the most scarce commodity in our lives. Prayer is the first outlay of energy we need to extend to those we disciple. We should be in prayer for them daily.
“For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”
Ephesians 3:14-19 NIV
That prayer should be specific, and, in order to pray specifically, we must be involved in their lives. That leads us back to time. The reality is that we each only have 168 hours per week in which we have to fit all our activities. You may need to schedule time to pray in your daily routine. I keep a calendar (as a leader you are in danger of missing important things if you don’t keep a calendar) and find it helpful to schedule reminders for specific times of prayer. Who are you earnestly praying for today? Who do you know that needs to know Jesus in a more profound way?
Presence is another way that our energy is used in discipling relationships. Those we disciple need to experience our presence; physical, emotional, mental, spiritual. Presence communicates value, and when we are present with others, even in a phone call, they will understand the value we place on them. Preparation is a valuable and necessary part of discipleship that takes both time and energy. Preparation says, “I care about you and about our time together.” The beauty is that in our times of preparation, God can speak to us about His plans.
“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.”
1 Peter 3:15 NIV
That preparation includes a regular time of rest. As we disciple, we choose to do so out of a place of health, not exhaustion.
Discipleship is required for all believers. Discipleship is a command of Christ.
“Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’”
Matthew 28:18-20 NIV
That makes discipleship nonnegotiable, for us, and for those we disciple. If only people understood the value of discipleship. I think about how many new and young Christians in our churches are left to fend for themselves… to figure out this Jesus life on their own. That is sad, because they don’t even know where to begin, and there is no one to take them by the hand. Scripture is clear about our responsibility as older Christians. We are to take the youngers by the hand and walk them through the process of learning to love Jesus and love people.
“Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God. Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.”
Titus 2:3-8 NIV
I am constantly perplexed by the lack of desire to disciple others that I see in many Christians who have walked with Christ for many years. Don’t they know what they are missing? Don’t they understand the joy of seeing another believer have the aha moment of understanding as they learn? Are they afraid, or just plain lazy? I often just shake my head in wonderment, and ask God how I can help them understand.
Discipleship is necessary growth and accountability. I was not discipled when I came to know Christ. I was in a church setting that believed you would get everything you needed from the sermons and the responsive readings during service. I am not sure if I was thick-headed or if I was just young and naïve, but I did not get enough from the sermons to nourish me. I did not understand the value of having someone build into my spiritual life. So I continued on the way I had always lived, believing in Jesus, but following the ways of the world. I had no idea what Romans 12:1-2 meant, “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
Discipleship strengthens community. We see, in the early church described in Acts 2, the benefit and the result of intentional discipleship. Nothing has changed. We need to spend time with one another, building each other up.
“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”
1 Thessalonians 5:11
The world tries to tear us down. We have an enemy who is trying to destroy us, or at the very least render us ineffective. Too many times, we play right into his hands, forgetting that we serve the King of the Universe, and that we have been commissioned to be His ambassadors. We have been sent to tell a dark world about the King of Light. We have been taught to give and receive the unconditional love of Christ. Our responsibility is to pass that on.
“You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.”
2 Timothy 2:1-2 NIV
If we don’t , are we sinning? Something to think about.
In a discipling relationship, we share the knowledge of God’s character and God’s standards. These are the foundations upon which we build our lives. The truth of Scripture leads us into a life of joy and peace. As we disciple, we pass these values on to the next generation. As leaders, we are charged with training believers to do the work of the ministry.
“So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.”
Ephesians 4:11-13 NIV
We add value to the lives of disciples by providing care, extending the hands and feet of Christ as we walk along this journey together.
So the question begs asking: “Who are you discipling and who is discipling you?” Your answer to that question is an indicator of the real value you are experiencing in your life.
