Tonight during a group study we were discussing what it means to be a disciple. We made a list of all of the things that went in to being a disciple and the one thing that struck me was that almost everything on the list was action oriented. A disciple of Jesus is primarily known for what they do. But it seems in America we primarily try to make disciple by what we learn.
Now they two are related, but we make a mistake when we think that learning more leads to different action. For example, has any group in the world been better educated about what healthy living looks like than Americans? Yet no one would argue that Americans are the healthiest group of people. All of the knowledge hasn’t translated into action or change. The same is true with following Christ. No group of people in the world have more tools, resources, and ways to access spiritual growth information. But discipleship is declining in America not increasing. Why?
I think it is becuase studying is easier and less riskier than acting. To study just means reading a chapter or two a week and discussing it with some other people. To act means risking looking stupid, being uncomfortable, confessing and admitting failures. On the good days it’s messy. On the bad days it’s soul wrenching. So we avoid it and bounce from new study to new study. We go from the 5 keys of this to the 6 habits of that. We gain all kinds of knowledge but we remain basically the same.
However, I for one am tired of just gaining knowledge. And that’s what excites me about being here at The Avenue. I am surrounded by other people who also aren’t interested in just talking about becoming more like Jesus. They want to put action behind it. They want to be transformed not just informed. They want to make a difference in other peoples lives. They want to live out scripture not just read it. And as the days and months progress, I believe we’ll begin to look more and more like the church in the New Testament instead of just reading about it. All becuase people are willing to be uncomfortable and do instead of just know.
Tags: discipleship, spiritual growth
Good Stuff. Thanks for sharing.
Ben,
I love this post. I’ve been trying to hammer this home with our mission’s team locally. They are beginning to see the need to be externally focused. Funny thing was last meeting one of them brought in a curriculum that we could study to be more externally focused. I told them it was time for action and that we just need to go do what we all agreed was right rather than study it. Good stuff.
Thanks Doug this post belongs to Jeromie Jones he is doing a great job helping us think through so many of these processes!