Getting Past our Fears about Discipling People - June 8, 2021 Podcast Show Notes
Two Questions (really three) for all followers of Christ:
Do you think that all believers are called to make disciples? Overwhelming answer when asked is “yes”. There seems to be a strong general awareness of the “great commission” from Matthew 28:19
How are YOU doing with living out this calling to make disciples? Overwhelming answer was that very few could name a time they “made” a disciple or even exactly what that would mean.
The obvious follow up question to this is: Well why not? Overwhelming answer to “why not?” had to do with fear and insecurity. Either because of not being sure of what/how to do it or of not wanting to “look stupid” or be rejected or to fail as a discipler.
What effect does fear have on us?
When we are afraid of a potential uncertain outcome, we often do not want to take the risk!
It tends to result in us playing it safe - (Imagine an intermediate snow skier being asked by a friend to try skiing down a “black diamond” ski run and deciding, “Would I rather risk it and maybe it will be ok but maybe I will fall?” or “Would I rather take the ‘blue square’ run that I know I can do?” It will still be fun but not as risky and more familiar.)
There certainly is nothing wrong with skiing on “cruiser” runs on the ski slopes or in real life - sometimes the joy is just in relaxing, having a great time and enjoying yourself. But the metaphor breaks down when it comes to whether or not we are going to be “disciples who make disciples” - in that sense, Jesus is calling us to go for the “black diamond”!
The great news is when we step out in faith and seek to follow Jesus (down the mountain) in his calling to make disciples, He will lead us and help us and equip us. Will we possibly fall? Yes, but He will be there to pick us right up again. The thrill of following Jesus where He takes us is so much greater than playing it safe in life. The fear of failure and the sense of insecurity about not wanting to be rejected or look stupid is real. No question. However…..
God doesn’t want us to live in fear! The number one command in the Bible is DO NOT BE AFRAID! You are loved and accepted by Jesus and He promised to be with us always by His Spirit. Life is short and you will never regret taking the Spirit-led risk of following His calling to “go make disciples”.