Part VI: Incarnational Christianity
I started this series of post with the theme that the mission of the apostolic church is not just leading people to Christ, but actually Christ being formed in people. It is a two-fold mission based on both evangelism and discipleship wrapped in the DNA of the ‘great commission’. Last week I posted some thoughts on evangelism this week I want to finish up on discipleship.
In the New Testament we hear such terms as ‘being born again’; we are told to ‘put on Christ’, about our coming to ‘have the mind of Christ’, about Christ ‘being formed in us’. The goal of discipleship is spiritual maturity, stability, unity and a full expression of Christ in the earth through His body, the church as outlined in Ephesians 4:1-24. The question we have to answer is how do we fulfill this task? I want to attempt to answer that question knowing that in the limited space I have it cannot be fully explored.
Teaching
The most basic and common form of discipleship is teaching. Embedded in the great commission are the very words of Christ to teach the nations (Matthew 28:20). Now if you look throughout the New Testament, you will never find an instance where an evangelist established believers. I am one hundred percent in favor of evangelism, but it is not this gift that will establish new believers and churches to begin to be stable, to be consistent and to understand who they are in Christ, so they can grow up and fulfill the work they are called to fulfill. To fly straight we need the two wings of evangelism and discipleship working together.
Paul helps us to understand the goal of teaching. In the West we have leaned heavily on the education of the mind, which if we are not careful will result in a form of Gnosticism. To the Gnostic knowledge is enough, but the goal of discipleship is knowledge that transforms our manner of life. Paul said of the church in Rome that they “became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching” that was given them (Romans 6:17). It went beyond their heads to their hearts affecting their actions. We are not to desire just knowledge; knowledge by itself without humble application causes spiritual pride. It was Paul who said that the “goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a clear conscience and a sincere faith” (I Timothy 1:5 Emphasis Mine).
Modeling
How many of you know when it comes to raising children the impact of our actions can greatly out weigh anything we have to say. As the old saying goes our actions many times speak louder than our words. Paul said in I Corinthians 11:1 to, “follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” (NIV). When people see your example it can have a great impact. You can teach about serving and love, but when others see you model those actions your teaching is strengthened with credibility. Yes this brings a great responsibility upon our lives to allow Christ to fully have His way in our own hearts so we don’t set a bad example. We are all going to make mistakes and when we do don’t deny it, but let it be a teachable moment to those you are training.
Jesus did not just teach His disciples to pray, but He modeled that behavior in front of them. He demonstrated the life of a servant, compassion, mercy, healing so that what He taught was reinforced with the impact of His example. Teaching, then modeling with our behavior validates that we are living epistles that can be read by all men. It is the incarnational life of God being demonstrated through us so that others can not just hear, but see the word in action.
Hands On Training
Jesus took His team with Him so they could practice with Him. He also sent them out in teams to put into practice what they had learned. An old saying goes “if you don’t use it you will lose it.” You can be taught how to ride a bicycle, others can model how to ride a bike, but eventually you have to ride the bike or it is just theory.
Paul took Timothy with him in his travels since Christianity is more than knowledge; it’s about living life. The best way for you to teach someone how to run a business or ministry is to let him or her work with you for a season. We must educate, but we must also apply education with hands-on experience. On-the-job training is the best instructor. We need to train people in all fields of life to follow Christ and be a witness for Him in their field of ministry.
Equipping
One of the overlooked areas of discipleship is equipping. I know this is a less known about area, but that does not invalidate its important place in regards to discipleship. Ephesians 4:11 speaks of equipping in the context of teamwork. Five gifts are listed here–apostle, prophet, evangelist, shepherd and teacher. Each of us is to operate in these five dimensions as a result of being imparted to and impacted by them.
One aspect of equipping is impartation of anointing. Moses transferred the anointing that was upon his life to others through the laying on of hands (Numbers 28:18). Paul in writing to encourage his spiritual son Timothy told him to “not neglect the gift in you that was given to you through a prophetic utterance with the laying on of hands” (I Timothy 4:14). We can’t make someone other than that which God has given them by His grace, but through the laying on of hands we can strengthen, stir up and release a greater grace by joining our faith together with theirs. Equipping incorporates teaching, modeling, hands on training and impartation.
The end result of teaching, modeling, hands on training and equipping must be a greater awareness of Christ and transformation into the likeness of Christ. The ultimate goal of discipleship is the incarnational life of the Spirit being manifested in the earth through His Body. It is going to take each part being willing to do their part so that the fullness of Christ can be made known to this generation and that the work continues to the next.
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