Discipling

Today as I worked outside, weeding a flower garden in preparation for warmer weather, I recognized just how busy our huge maple tree has been. All those little seeds everywhere and plenty of them taking root until I got to them. Little green shoots jutting out from the browned and dead maple tree seeds were coming up all over the place. I raked and tugged. They came up easily. They’re new so they’re weak little saplings.

Reminded me how new believers can be. When Christians witness to people and they become new believers, they’re like little saplings: rather vulnerable to being uprooted. They’ll need time, protection and nourishment to grow. They’ll need the right atmosphere (safe from harsh elements) to get strong. Otherwise, any number of enemies could cause them to be uprooted before they dig very deeply into new life.

Jesus explained this in his parable of the seeds. (see Matt. 13) He also lived the wisdom of this by giving of himself to those He discipled. He spent time with them, cared for them, talked them through their life’s problems, and taught them the truths of the kingdom. He invested in them so they could become “rooted and grounded in love.” (see Eph. 3:17)

That’s what He calls us to do.

"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen. (Matthew 26:19-20, NKJV)

It’s not enough to win converts, we must also help them find their way, like someone once helped us. That’s what Jesus did and following in His footsteps, being conformed to His image, requires us to do the same.