During Jesus’ short three-year ministry on earth, He taught us much on how to minister to others. One of the important ministry lessons Jesus taught (which we need to be reminded of again and again!) and borrowing the words of one pastor, is this: “Don’t let what God wants you to do get in the way of who God wants you to be.” This simple truth is so profound and helpful. In a real way, God is more concerned about what He is doing in you than what He is doing through you.
In Luke 10, Jesus commissions seventy disciples to go and disciple others. They experience great success at disciple-making, returning and saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name” (v. 17). Jesus wisely reminds the dear folk that it is not ultimately about what they do but about who they are that matters.
“Behold,” Jesus says, “I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing will injure you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are recorded in heaven” (vv. 19-20).
What a lesson for them. What a lesson for us!
We have many discipleship ministries at Grace Community Bible Church. Here are only a few:
- Grace Groups, where the group members disciple one another.
- “Tending and Befriending,” where older women mentor younger women.
- Formal counseling relationships, where a pastor or member of the church is counseling another member of the church.
- Moms and dads who are discipling their children.
Think about the relationships where you consider yourself to be the disciple-maker not the disciple. What are your goals and desires for the disciple? What are you trying to accomplish? If you find yourself frustrated with a member, mentee, disciple, counselee, or child, realize that God is using the relationship in your life just as much as He is using the relationship in the other person’s life.
Ministry is always a two-way street. Jesus is the Chief Shepherd. No one supplants or matches Him. We are all disciple-making disciples. We are followers of Jesus helping others follow Jesus. May we not lose track of what God is doing in us as He works through us.
Pastor Dan
For more on discipleship, see the seven-part series found here.