Do We Do Discipleship Wrong?

By Derwin L. Gray, CP Guest Contributor Tuesday, May 13, 2014

In the American educational system, from first grade all the way up through high school, we're taught to memorize information, and then take a test. If we pass the intellectual test, then we move on to the next grade.

We've transferred this learning pattern to Christianity. We're trained to learn Bible concepts, principles and doctrines intellectually. And the more Biblical information we know, the greater disciples we are deemed to be.

I think this is killing the church in America, just like it hurt the Pharisees.

Let's remember that the Pharisees, an elite group of well-educated men in Israel, knew the Scriptures, but they missed the main point of the Scriptures: to know Jesus personally and intimately (Phil. 3:5-11).

"You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to Me!" John 5:39 NLT

Knowing the Bible doesn't give us eternal life. Knowing Jesus does (John 17:3). Some people love the Bible more than they love Jesus.

Head, Heart, Hands

I'm all for learning about Jesus and the Christian faith. I have a Master's of Divinity with a Concentration in Apologetics (Magnum Cum Laude). I'm currently pursuing my Doctorate of Ministry with a Concentration in 'New Testament in Context' under New Testament scholar Scot McKnight, Ph.D.

HOWEVER, if all my learning does not produce more love for Jesus, myself, and people, then I've wasted my time (1 Corinthians 13).

If all that learning doesn't cultivate more love in my heart, then I wouldn't be a disciple–I'd be a gatherer of Bible facts. Gatherers of Biblical facts don't transform the world, disciples do. I want to be a disciple. And I want Transformation Church to be a community of disciples who make disciples who make disciples. Jesus said, "You will know my disciples by the way they love one another" (John 13:35)

The Apostle Paul says to the Philippian Church,

I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ's return. May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation-the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ-for this will bring much glory and praise to God. Philippians 1:9-11 NLT

The "fruit of your salvation" is the fruit of the Spirit,

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Galatians 5:22-24 ESV

When our minds are in awe of Jesus and our hearts are overflowing with the love of Jesus, we become the hands of Jesus by serving people because we love them.

Look for Part II next week.

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Derwin L. Gray is the founding and lead Pastor of Transformation Church, a multi-ethnic, multi-generational, mission-shaped community with two campuses in South Carolina (Indian Land and Rock Hill), both just south of Charlotte, North Carolina. In addition to his role at Transformation Church, Pastor Derwin speaks at conferences nationwide and is recognized by many as the "Evangelism Linebacker." He is the author of Hero: "Unleashing God's Power in a Man's Heart," and "Limitless Life: You Are More Than Your Past When God Holds Your Future." On the Web: DerwinLGray.com