What does it mean to be a disciple? pt.3

Discipleship follows a pattern in the New Testament;

People are attracted to Jesus; often because of miracles that authenticate His position as the Son of God.

Listening is the next step; Learning means listening and submitting before putting into practice.

Listening to Jesus is only a step in the process. Anybody can be attracted to shiny stuff, good sounding things and even give them minimal attention.  But learning is the next step that causes problems for so many people.  It seems that learning takes place in the brain and in the body. It is a reaction that has been studied by scientists and teachers for years; because it seems to be the singular  component that either enhances or detracts from life. If we don’t learn from our mistakes we are destined to repeat them. A wise person has said a time or two. Why don’t I learn? Math is hard what good will it do me? I don’t need to know why that hurt , I’ll figure it out next time. You mean they really are coming to take that back today? I only missed a few payments. You mean I can’t say that out loud?

I think – by observation only that the first word most children learn is No! (My children’s first words were Daddy; please don’t seek confirmation on that though) It seems No and the control of behavior is crucial to all people regardless of age.  When there is pain involved- no – is reinforced, the poor option is exposed as wrong – but does learning take place if we repeat the action again?

Jesus taught His disciples.  Their and our responsibility is to learn. Much more than saying no to the world which is not our first inclination we are to say yes to Jesus and learn to follow Him. What follows is a hard lesson:

Romans 8:28-30-  And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.

Jesus taught Paul personally, the above hard lesson. Jesus will teach you personally when you spend time in His Word and learn how He acts, moves and thinks.  Personal discipleship is spelled time. Unless we spend time as an apprentice we will never become like the Master.  I have read many times that most learning experiences are caught not taught. That makes sense but the learning I think that are most beneficial are those experiences that are caught in personal contact.

Jesus teaches us so many things again all we have to do is to look at the highlighted headings in our Bibles (look for the red letters).

The Cure for Anxiety- Matthew 6:25ff   “ For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?  Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life? And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. “So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.