Quote:
Originally Posted by Rhoni
Sis. Alvear,
Disciplining begins long before actual conversion and many people are turned off when they are linked with someone to disciple them because that isn't how it is done. People don't like to feel that they are somehow missing the mark on some things.
They that hunger and thirst after rigteousness will be filled. Disciplining is not about teaching them to fit in to our acceptable style of dress and worship so they can "fit in" to our churches. Disciplining is about being a Christ follower not a denomination, organization, or church community follower.
The ones 'discipled' by my mother are still in love with Jesus, although not necessarily UPCI churches. Mom taught them how to have a relationship with God for themselves and how to pray, read & study the word, and live for God day by day.
Our churches have as many going out as coming in and can't retain those that come and receive the Holy Ghost in their assemblies because the church has expectations as to how they should line up; i.e., dress, socialize, work in the church, and who they should hang with.
The best soul-winners are new converts who don't know how it is 'supposed' to be done.
Blessings, Rhoni
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Rhonda, I disagree with the first statement...
Though there may be some who are courted or discipled along the way to salvation, it just doesn't always happen that way.
A disciple is one who is a
follower, adherent, devotee, student.
Those whom the Lord called "disciples" made sacrifices of separation, but only after they were already followers.
They willingly laid down their nets and became fishers of men.
We disciple by example and showing them that
following their Born Again experience there is a godly life to be lived.
This
can be done one on one, as your mother experienced, but in that we must be cautious.
The church is STILL the best place to make disciples of Christ, teaching them what saith the Lord...IMHO...
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