A Legacy of Discipleship
Do you have any bucket list items or life goals? I would love to go to a Final Four when UK wins the championship. I want to drive a Dodge Viper. I want to see my kids faithfully follow Jesus through all stages of life. And I want to see multiple generations of disciples from people I have discipled. What does that mean? It means I want to see people I have mentored lead others to become disciple-makers who lead others to make disciples. I don’t want credit or anyone to know of my involvement, I just pray God will use me in that way.
This is what Paul wanted to see happen in Timothy’s life. He writes to him, “You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.” (2 Timothy 2:1-2) In these two verses, we see four generations of disciples: (1) Paul, (2) Timothy, (3) faithful men taught by Timothy, (4) those taught by the third generation.
This legacy of discipleship was passed down through the years so the church survived years of persecution, famines, apostacy, wars, and revolutions. Over the centuries, faithful men and women have made sure the gospel got to the next generation so that we are now followers of Jesus through the same gospel.
So let me ask, are you ready to start a legacy of discipleship? If your answer is yes, then earnestly seek God and what he would have you to do in this time. Maybe he wants you to reach out to someone in need of a mentor. You can offer to walk with them through this season of life and show them what it means to follow Jesus. Make sure they understand the gospel. Help them read their Bible and pray. Walk with them so they can learn to walk with Jesus.
Or maybe you need someone to disciple you for a season. You desire to follow Jesus but don’t really know what that looks like on a daily basis. You may need help reading and understanding the Bible. Or you may need someone to walk with you as you fight a persistent sin in your life. If so, reach out to someone on staff so they can get you connected with the right person.
However God is leading you, let’s all commit to starting and leaving a legacy of discipleship.
By Philip Jones
Philip and his wife Stacy have been attending Immanuel since 2015. They are blessed to be raising four kids. His passion in ministry is to help others follow Jesus through teaching, preaching, and personal discipleship.
This is what Paul wanted to see happen in Timothy’s life. He writes to him, “You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.” (2 Timothy 2:1-2) In these two verses, we see four generations of disciples: (1) Paul, (2) Timothy, (3) faithful men taught by Timothy, (4) those taught by the third generation.
This legacy of discipleship was passed down through the years so the church survived years of persecution, famines, apostacy, wars, and revolutions. Over the centuries, faithful men and women have made sure the gospel got to the next generation so that we are now followers of Jesus through the same gospel.
So let me ask, are you ready to start a legacy of discipleship? If your answer is yes, then earnestly seek God and what he would have you to do in this time. Maybe he wants you to reach out to someone in need of a mentor. You can offer to walk with them through this season of life and show them what it means to follow Jesus. Make sure they understand the gospel. Help them read their Bible and pray. Walk with them so they can learn to walk with Jesus.
Or maybe you need someone to disciple you for a season. You desire to follow Jesus but don’t really know what that looks like on a daily basis. You may need help reading and understanding the Bible. Or you may need someone to walk with you as you fight a persistent sin in your life. If so, reach out to someone on staff so they can get you connected with the right person.
However God is leading you, let’s all commit to starting and leaving a legacy of discipleship.
By Philip Jones
Philip and his wife Stacy have been attending Immanuel since 2015. They are blessed to be raising four kids. His passion in ministry is to help others follow Jesus through teaching, preaching, and personal discipleship.
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