Jesus said we are to make “disciples” — not just believers (Mt 28:19). For Jesus, making disciples involves more than baptism (conversion); it involves teaching them as well. Spiritual development requires knowledge, not just an experience.
To be discipled is to be taught. Jesus taught His disciples for 3+ years. Apparently, there is a lot to know to do the work of God and be the kind of Christian Jesus wants us to be! And yet today, most churches stop training Christians after a simple Bible study. Christians are not taught theology from the pulpit, but merely encouraged to keep the faith week after week.
Indeed, some saints don’t want to learn theology. They just want the “simple Gospel”; That’s enough for them. What they really have is a truncated Christianity, and this results in a worldview that is less than fully Christian. We cannot be as effective as we need to be without pursuing the whole counsel of God.
With the attitude I see among so many Christians today regarding theological growth, I’m convinced that if Jesus were alive today, and called us to be His disciples, most Christians would drop out of the program after just a few weeks because they “already learned all they need to know.” Let’s get back to real discipleship. Theological teaching must be at the core of what we do.
Thinking to Believe 
January 9, 2014 at 10:11 pm
I couldn’t agree more! I’ve done extensive discipling in my local assembly, for both new and not new converts. I take them through a course in Bibliology then directly into Theology. From there we enter Christology, and onward through other topics.
The last time I taught at this level, the Bible study lasted almost a year (i.e. nearly 52 weeks worth of lessons). Some were very faithful. Others were hit or miss.
But I notice how people just can’t or won’t allow themselves to get real traction when it comes to studying the Bible. All I ever hear it seems is “I need to study more” or “I need to get into a Bible study”, but rarely does anyone do anything about it.
I would love to see more series taught in churches, instead of one-shot exhortations.
LikeLike
January 10, 2014 at 9:27 am
Aaron,
That’s great to hear. That’s the kind of thing we need.
As for people, yes, they are flaky. I know how frustrating it can be.
Jason
LikeLike
January 16, 2014 at 7:37 am
What is this teaching anyway? Should not a person with 80 IQ and less be able to understand the “Good News”? Why do people get bored with such intense “teaching”?
Is not the “Good Word” simply stated – The kingdom of heaven is at hand, repent on how you treat one another and change your ways because I (Jesus) walk among the others and will judge you based upon your actions toward “me”, and more specifically not your stated “beliefs” which you learn through memorizing catechism’s i.e. the Westminster Confession?
We say that Christ said that the LAW was no more. Is it not more true that the LAW should be written in your hearts and that it is all still in force but should be interpreted as “a way to live”?
Are we not resentful of God because He gave us a concience and feel (or should) when we pass others by without trying to assist them because we want to spend our money in other ways i.e. a cruise of a vacation home for ourselves?
LikeLike