We just listen to Jesus
How one shrug in Mozambique could flip your discipleship model upside down
“I know why you’re here!”
The crowd was excited. We had all travelled to Mozambique for a School of Missions with Heidi and Rolland Baker, and Rolland was warming us up…
“You’re here because you want to know how to heal the sick!” We all cheered! We had heard the stories of hundreds of deaf people being healed.
“You’re here because you want to know how to lead hundreds of thousands of people to Jesus!” We all cheered some more! Iris ministries was sharing the gospel amongst the poor and we were keen to get in on the action!
“You’re here because you want to know how to plant thousands of Churches!” The excitement was building and we kept cheering! This movement was sweeping across the nation and overflowing into other nations and now we’re here about to find out how all this happened.
“You’re here because you want to know about revival!” By now, it’s obvious. Rolland knows exactly why we were there! We want what they have! We want in!
Rolland started laughing then flippantly said,
“Well, if you figure it out let us know. We just listen to Jesus and do as He says.”
The simplicity of those words have stayed with me for the past 13 years.
Discipleship Shifts
I have a passion to see a Disciple Making Movement planted.
I want to see disciples making disciples who make disciples who make disciples. In Disciple Making Movement terminology it’s not a movement until it is 4 generations deep. That’s what I want to see and that is what I am putting my hand to where I am right now.
In order to see this happen a few shifts have to take place.
Specialised to Everbody
The Great Commission tells us that being a disciple means being a disciple maker. We cannot leave discipleship to the specialised people to do it. We need to find a way to do discipleship that mobilises everyone. From the elderly lady who’s been in the church for a 100 years, to the boy who just started school.
Knowledge to Practice
If we are looking to mobilise every single disciple, then we cannot stick to simply sharing knowledge. We must share practices that help people “hear Jesus and obey Him.” It’s like teaching someone to fish rather than simply give them a fish. We don’t need to teach all the truth. Instead we show people where they can find all the truth.
Ready to Willing
If we are looking to mobilise every single disciple then we cannot sit around and wait for people to be ready. Instead we must work with those who are willing. Discipleship has always worked best “on the go!” With the above changes made, a disciple is now someone who is willing to faithfully listen to Jesus, obey Him and share what they have learned.
Practices
Could it be that the key to multiplication is as simple as Rolland Bakers shrug,
“We just listen to Jesus and do as He says.”
What if discipleship was actually that simple? What if we became experts at teaching people how to hear Gods voice, and the importance of doing whatever He tells us?
When someone loses a close friend to cancer…
When you’re looking for a job…
When your kids are running riot and you don’t know what to do…
When you have conflict in your marriage…
When you’re being exploited at work…
What is Jesus saying to you, and how can you obey Him?
Do you see how simple that is?
When discipleship becomes that easy anyone can teach it and anyone can repeat it.
A New Way of Living
This simple shift in how we do discipleship results in disciples who are teaching others a new way of life.
The early Christians were known as “Followers of the Way” not “Beleivers of a Certain Doctrine.” Discipleship wasn’t just the passing on of knowledge, but the passing on of a new way of life.
I don’t know about you but I want to see and experience a move of God like those in the book of Acts, or like the Bakers in Mozambique.
So lets shift the way we do discipleship and keep it simple.
Let’s listen to Jesus and do as He says.
James
P.S If you want some great resources on how to hear God speak I highly recommend Brad Jersaks book, “Can You Hear Me” along with all of my friend Tania Harris’ work over at God Conversations.