1. Our world view is all wrong. "Be holy as I am holy" is not a core conviction.
2. We prefer the things that are "more exciting" - like worship, harvesting tithes, building buildings, getting on the latest trendy movement of evangelicalism.
3. Not intentional enough. We think Sunday school or the regular programming dynamic of the local church will do the trick to transform lives.
4. We read the gospels for many reasons but not to find the methodology of Jesus for changing the world.
5. Hard to brag about discipleship in the statistics manual of district conference.
6. It is hard work.
7. We were not discipled therefore we don't have a clue what is meant by discipleship or how to do it.
8. American society is a time stealer, and discipleship, alas, takes time.
Borrowed from Evangelism Today!
8. American society is a time stealer, and discipleship, alas, takes time.
ReplyDeleteGood points, Robert. Discipleship takes time and effort toward persons in Christ. This is hard for many people to offer in today's western society. Some are too busy and perhaps some do not care enough.
Happy Weekend.
Thanks, Russ!
ReplyDeleteThat actually came from my Evangelism prof. If we work it out, would it not be more the effort to break out of our comfort zone/routine, though, than merely taking the time? It's one thing to take an hour out of my schedule to go for coffee if I'm out of coffee, but what about to take that hour to have coffee with someone in need of Christian witness or even encouragement?
It's one thing to take an hour out of my schedule to go for coffee if I'm out of coffee, but what about to take that hour to have coffee with someone in need of Christian witness or even encouragement?
ReplyDeleteA good point, and the second option is probably more challenging for the believer and requires more prayer, study, etc.
Jeff (Florida) in my links discusses some of these issues at times...Thoughts and Theology.
Cheers, Robert.:)
Hi,
ReplyDeleteIt is hard work. :(
May be all your points are right :(
Nice post and Keep it up.
:-)
Psychic power
Good day!
ReplyDeleteRuss from Kin pin pointed me in your direction. I just stopped by for a few moments this morning befor heading out to work.
In reading your ten reasons people do not make disciples, I feel it gave me something to think about. So, this evening, I will probably have some more reasons to add.
Jim
http://deityquest-jeleasure.blogspot.com/
Hi Robert,
ReplyDeleteSorry, I could not remember how many reasons were posted, as to why people do not disciple.
Any way, to add to the eight, not ten, people are easily embarassed. And to make point number ten, which is a take off from being embarassed, people do not feel safe.
People who do not feel safe remind me of someone with stage fright. They are so concerned as to what the recipient of their efforts may think about the attempt to proseltyze.
In the work place, people feel they can be fired for expressing their right to have an opinion on various religions. They may get fired for that, only, the boss will call it being none productive, or something more legal. So, I understand. But, I'm certain there are times when a Christian can find time to discuss Christ in the work place. For example, I ride down the road with a helper or fellow mechanic and this is my opportunity. What will the boss say about that? How could I be any more non productive than riding in the truck, on my way to the next job?
Another very big reason, intimidation. I once had a guy brandish a knife as he told me to be quiet. Naturally, I know he heard what I said, or he would not have been offended. So, there was no reason to get killed.
Or, what about hostile radicals. To discuss the Lord and salvation to one of them is an easy thing. But wait until they get around their friends. Wait until one Muslim tells a group of his Muslim budies that this "blue eyed devil" tried to talk to him about Jesus.
In case you did not know it, one of Louis Farrahkan's favorite 'explanations' of the white man is "Blue Eyed Devil". So you see, there are many reasons for people not wanting to make disciples. I think this may be the difference in being willing to Love God as in, when Jesus asked Peter, "Do you love me?"
My direct response to this is here.
ReplyDeleteHowever, in view of where you're at, you might find this of special interest.