Tag Archives: training

Disciple and Discipline

 

Discipline

 

So when I ask, “what is a disciple”, I must first admit that all of us, that every person is, a disciple of someone or something.

“The disciple who perfectly understands the rules and sees the example of his master, will think it his business to tread exactly in his steps, to do and suffer upon like occasions, as his master did: and so he will be like his master.” Whitby

Jesus wants me to become like Him, to see things as He sees them and to look like Him in character, attitudes and behaviours.

Training is absolutely necessary to become like Jesus. Discipleship is…

 “The intentional training of disciples, with accountability, on the basis of loving relationships.” – Bill Hull

I am personally responsible for my growth even though there is a collective obligation among believers as well. It does take time, effort, energy and study. It does not happen by accident, or in a haphazard way. In fact, it is only accomplished when I set my mind, and plan my purpose, with intentionality.

Here are some signs I have seen in my own life that would indicate that my training is coming together. I am learning, I am following Jesus, I am serving others (hopefully I am doing this with humility), I love others, my single focused commitment is to Jesus, I see results and change, and I am walking with others.

I want to be Jesus’ disciple. I will allow Him to mentor me, mold me and make me what He wants me to be. As that is happening, I will pass it on to others.

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Pray or play

 

Tedeschi-Trucks Band-Lord Protect My Child

 

I have been researching on “play” and its role right alongside work. I wanted to see if there were similarities when it came to its value. The theme is still surrounding the idea of how we practice the presence of God in our lives, or better still, how do I bring myself into the kingdom of God and can play do that.

I ran across this book by Frank Laubach – The Game with Minutes. It was interesting and I believe that little was new to me there but I can say that I never seen it before as a game. However I was encouraged by how much prayer plays a role. 

 Pray without ceasing – 1 Thessalonians 5:17  ESV

I liked the idea of praying more than playing because when I am practicing the presence of God, I am not trying to control it. My eyes need to be on God However, I get how we can become so serious, to the point that our spiritual life becomes too controlling, more so than is healthy. I think that is the time where the element of play could/should/would come in.

As a follower of Jesus, it would seem to me that prayer is actually a training for prayer.

“By running and breathing yourselves every day, you are the fitter to run in a race; so the oftener you come into God’s presence, the greater confidence, and freedom, and enlargement it will bring.” – Thomas Manton

I look at Jesus and read or at least get a sense of implication, that He spent the night or rose early in the day to pray. As I am still figuring out play – enjoy this prayer.

O Thou, by whom we come to God, seeing Thou hast Thyself trodden the way of prayer, and didst never turn from it, teach me to remain a suppliant as long as I remain a sinner, and to wrestle in prayer so long as I have to wrestle with the powers of evil. Whatever else I may outgrow, may I never dream that I may relax my supplications. – C. H. Spurgeon

 

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