Bob
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Sue's husband
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Joined: Sept 2004
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Posts: 20
Location: Lakeland, Florida
|  | Some thoughts on Discipleship
« Thread Started on Apr 1, 2006, 10:30am » | |
OK, I'm going to throw some ideas about discipleship out.
Discipleship isn't always easy. The connection between Discipleship and Discipline is pretty obvious. However, too many people consider discipline as adhering to a set of rules and regulations- praying daily, reading the Bible daily, and so forth. Discipleship may or may not include that.
Teyose (Jesus) was trying throughout his time on earth to get people to follow a higher law- the law of Love. This law is both more free, and far far more demanding than any set of rules and regulations any person can think up (including church leaders). It means seeking what is best for the other person- and at the same time respecting the other person's dignity.
This requires wisdom, guidance, and lots of prayer, and most especially LISTENING. It means knowing one's self so that the Lover can understand when it's their own desires "talking", or the real needs of the Other being expressed.
It also means being able to think "outside the box"- it is better to resort to silence than preaching or quoting scripture, especially in today's world where so many have been hurt by the church and so-called Christians. Sometimes a quiet, gentle word of support will do far more than all of the scriptures in the Bible. The Bible is a useful guide for life, but the main purpose of the scriptures is to point to Teyose (Jesus). I would suggest to anyone who is "quick with a scripture" that they slow down and think about the person they're talking to- quoting scripture may be easy, but is it RIGHT?
One part of my own discipline is self-reflection and self-examination. The thoughts and actions I take- are they in the best interest of others? If they are for myself, will they harm others? What is my REAL motivation for my thoughts and actions- selfishness or true Love? Do I respect others, or am I pushing my own cultural biases and beliefs on others (a major part of today's "Christianity" is actually Eurocentric and Mideastern culture).
What about my own relationship with Hesaketvmese (God the Father), the Great Spirit, and Teyose? This is a central part of self-examination.
Another thing that is important in discipleship is the recognition that ALL are sinners- we all sin and sin all the time. Part of this is recognizing the true meaning of Sin- that is, error!
If anyone says they don't make a mistake- they're a liar.
And, knowing this, how can one look down on another because the other's sins may seem more "horrible". That sort of outlook in itself is SIN!
Balance is also important. God doesn't expect everyone to do everything for everyone else and not take care of one's self as well. God wants us to be HAPPY! This comes under the heading of stewardship- you are not just a steward of everything that you have and toward others, but you must, and I repeat MUST be a steward of yourself as well. Stewardship is as much a part of discipleship as any other thing!
And last of all, and possibly one of the hardest and most important part of discipleship is forgiveness. This is the area I have the most problems with- because of a lifetime of injustice and abuse by "Christians". Hesaketvmese has reminded me more than once that I've hurt others as well- although I'd like to believe that I didn't harm them nearly as much as I've been harmed. Sometimes forgiveness is humanly impossible, but if one is willing to be "made willing" to forgive, that is a start. Sometimes it takes a miracle.
People also confuse justice with forgiveness. This in itself takes reflection and self-examination.
SO, discipleship involves a lot more than being religious, praying daily, and reading the Bible often. As for me, I try to live in a relationship with Hesaketvmese, which is the essence of prayer (I don't always succeed!). I don't read the Bible regularly, but I seek God's wisdom and I DO know Teyose. My studies in anthropology have done much to help me understand what Teyose was teaching and who He really is- so my studies outside the Bible is in itself a form of Bible study.
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