E08. Rhythms of a Disciple
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E08. Rhythms of a Disciple
We live our earthly life in rhythms. We feel the heartbeat. In addition to work, we need to rest, also. Regularly we must eat, sleep, move… If we are to learn any skill well, we need a rhythm of learning and especially a rhythm of practicing. For example, when I was learning English, I decided to study for 15 minutes a day, always from 9:00 p.m., and I worked on my vocabulary continuously, during any breaks or travel. The rhythm of 15 minutes a day led me to the desired goal with English!
Every quality relationship needs a rhythm! We need to be together, communicate regularly. Otherwise we will alienate from each other…
I wonder what rhythms a disciple needs to have a healthy relationship with Jesus and to fulfill Jesus‘ mission on this earth.
- The core must be our close connection with Jesus. For such a friendship we need daily communion with Him; mainly the Word of God, prayer and listening to living Jesus.
- Every disciple needs a family of God, a biblical church.
- The rhythm of personal support is also important for the growth and transformation of the disciple. When we sometimes use the word „accountability,“ we mean mutual support among several disciples. You may have seen a lesson on „L.T.G.“ as we call it, „Life Transformation Group“.
- An apprentice is with the Master to learn his trade and help him. Our Master cares very much about saving people for eternity! He is also interested in further growth of those who have already been saved, so that they too could serve to save others as soon as possible! Our practical task as His disciples is to regularly share Jesus with people who do not yet know Him – ideally with participation of a new disciple to learn this too. And of course we have to take care for those newly reached disciples!
I hope that most of Jesus‘ followers have some personal time with Jesus on a daily basis. Believers usually attend services with some regularity; say once a week. Small groups also exist and perhaps are a support for personal development. Maybe it would take more loving accountability to make deeper changes! A weekly interval of such meetings would be fine. Two weeks is fine, too.
But I am afraid that very few Czech Christians practice regular expansion of God’s kingdom as their rhythm of life. That is, regular sharing of Jesus with people who do not know Him yet. But that is precisely why Master Jesus still keeps us here! To win more people for Him!
Once upon a time I made a decision and as it was possible for me, every Wednesday I was in the educational club, after the main program of which we went to the pub to chat. Over the course of a few years, several dozen people have shown up on my Discovery. Some came only once; however, some accepted Jesus and are still serving Him today! That was my clear weekly rhythm – the club and Discovery.
Later, Jesus led me to start going out! So I hang out with random strangers and learn to connect with them and share the Good News. Where a real movement has begun in the world, Christians tend to have a rhythm of trying to approach at least five people a week with the Gospel. And when they teach the same thing completely new disciples they have reached, it is completely natural for the new ones then. Let me remind you of Jesus‘ principle that he sent his disciples two by two. Or at least regular mutual sharing with a partner is a great help to persevere long-term.
How much time can you assign in your diary for your targeted meetings with non-believers? Will you try the rhythm of an hour a week for a start, or two, three? Sharing in person or at Discovery over the Word of God… Or will you take a half-hour walk several times a week in the streets or in a park, when you will try to have conversations?
One planning principle says that if I can’t add anything to my calendar, I have to take something off it first. A potential source of time is the controlling of our varied procrastination, or fruitless spending of time. In order to serve the perishing people outside, some disciples reduced some activities inside the church! Have they weakened the growth of God’s kingdom? Exactly the opposite!
Lord Jesus, we were created to the rhythms of life. Please increase the number of Your followers who will regularly apply all these rhythms – including regular sharing with people who do not know You, yet.