DISCIP E! a publication of
What Is a Disciple’s Vision?
Spring 2012
Spiritual Apprenticeship What Kind of Follower Was Jesus Looking For? Becoming a Woman of Simplicity: A Conversation with Cynthia Heald
Jesus Was Looking for More just
t the end of His earthly ministry, Jesus gave His early followers a pretty clear directive regarding what they were supposed to be doing. When His crucifixion brought an end to His earthly ministry, His followers were shaken and uncertain. And even when He physically appeared to them after His resurrection, His disciples weren’t exactly setting the world afire with their boldness and winning ways.
like them When they saw him, they worshiped him; but
The early disciples weren’t looking for full-
some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said,
time Christian workers. Yes, some disciples left
“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given
their occupations to minister full-time. But many
to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations,
more followed Jesus and advanced His Kingdom
baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the
right where they were. Cornelius was a soldier.
Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to
Priscilla and Aquila were craftsmen (tent-mak-
obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I
ers). Lydia from Thyatira was a businesswoman.
am with you always, to the very end of the age (Mat-
All of these people lived out their faith in the
thew 28:17–20).
context of everyday life. They followed Jesus and
These disciples were fearful. They had been
they influenced others right where they were.
meeting behind locked doors. They weren’t go-
None of the early disciples read books about
ing into the world with the message of the Gos-
discipleship. None of them were involved in
pel. They were hiding from the world. And yet,
small group Bible studies (at least not like we
the directive from Jesus was clear: “Go and make
think of them today). None of them went to con-
disciples of all nations.” That was His vision for
ferences or listened to podcasts about how to be
advancing His Kingdom. He wanted more dis-
a godly person. Those are all great resources—but
ciples. He wanted more followers, just like them!
they are not the things that make disciples.
Jesus wasn’t looking for superstars. He
At the most fundamental level, a disciple is
wanted people like Peter, who had denied Him
a broken person that knows he or she has been
three times on the night of His crucifixion, and
touched and redeemed by Jesus. A disciple is a
then—when things weren’t looking so rosy for
follower of Jesus. That means he listens to Jesus
the disciplemaking business—went back to his
and reacts accordingly (obeys). And a disciple is
old life as a career fisherman until Jesus asked
a learner. And part of a disciple’s learning means
him, “Do you love me more than these?” and
she is eager and able to pass on what she learns
told him to “feed my sheep” (see John 21).
to others.
Peter knew brokenness and failure, but it
Our world has changed a lot since Jesus di-
didn’t keep him from living as a follower—a dis-
rected His disciples to go and make more dis-
ciple. Even in perhaps his greatest moment of
ciples. But what He’s looking for in His disciples
failure, when he publicly denied Christ, Peter
hasn’t changed. What He told them two thou-
was standing in the courtyard because he had
sand years ago is what He tells us now. Go make
followed Jesus there.
more—just like them. D! Dig Deeper at my.navigators.org/disciple
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FOLLOWING JESUS IN TODAY’S WORLD
Is Spiritual Apprenticeship
F
A Dead Art?
or centuries, craftsmen passed down knowledge and skills through a method of mentoring and training known as apprenticeship. It was once the primary means to pass skills from one generation to the next. Recently, I saw apprenticeship in action during a visit to the art district of Raleigh, North Carolina—a community of artists that enjoys mentoring the next generation of artists. However, that’s not the only place I see apprenticeship in action. At a recent Navigator national conference I was surrounded by hundreds of people who are committed to spiritual apprenticeship—although they would call it spiritual mentoring or discipleship. Some 1,400 Navigator staff members and friends encouraged each other in the life of discipleship and shared thoughts and ideas about how to pass spiritual truth on to the next generation. These Navigators have a great biblical precedent for this. Jesus did His spiritual mentoring—His investing in the lives of the next generation—through the use of the “apprenticeship” model. He spent time with a handful of people, imparting and modeling lessons on living life to the fullest. In His last days on earth, Jesus gave final instructions to His followers (His “disciples”). The Greek word for disciple was mathetes, which means student, follower, or learner. Jesus encouraged His disciples to “make disciples.” I like the way The Message translation captures the command of Jesus: “Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life” (Matthew 28:19). Many churches and organizations boast discipleship programs. But disciple-making is only a shadow of its true self when it exists in the form of programs and curriculum. True discipling is experienced through life-on-life encounters in the context of normal, everyday life—one-on-one or in small groups. As true followers of Jesus, we consider ourselves learners of His Word and are called to help others. As a friend once told me, a leader is really just one person who is a step ahead of someone else and headed in the right direction. The art of spiritual apprenticeship is alive and well. But it takes a conscious decision to learn and pass on spiritual truth. What keeps you from taking on a “life apprentice”? Is there someone in the pathways of your life that you could help in everyday living and their relationship with Jesus? Doug Nuenke U.S. President, The Navigators
FIELD NOTES NOTES
Following the Vision No Matter What Mike Whitney has not always been a Navigator, but he’s always had a Navigator’s heart. And that means making disciples no matter where he is or what he does for a living. For more than 15 years, Mike has led Navigator ministries in a varimike ety of places—although he wasn’t paid by The Navigators to do it. “I guess I just had that Navigator calling in my heart,” explains Mike. “I wanted to make disciples and train them to do the things I’d been trained to do.” Even when he was working 50 to 60 hours a week as a nuclear engineer, Mike would travel to campuses and naval bases in the Northeast to engage students and cadets in conversations about Jesus, help young believers become grounded in faith, and teach them how to do the same with the people in their spheres of influence. That heart for making disciples stayed with him when he moved to New York, where he ministered to cadets at West Point for 13 years while maintaining a demanding career. God blessed that volunteer spirit as the number of cadets involved in the Navigator ministry at the academy grew from 30 to more than 300. Since graduating from the University of Maine, however, Mike had dreamed of returning to his home state and seeing God do great things. So
in 1996 he moved back to Maine and once again began working with college students— including those at his old fraternity. That’s where he befriended Bill, in 1978, and met with him regularly to help him establish whitney a solid devotional life and to begin memorizing Scripture. Mike also taught him how to share his faith with others. Bill is now what Mike calls “a major laborer” in his church. “Bill may not be a Navigator by occupation,” says Mike, “but he does what Navigators do.” Not being a “professional disciple maker” actually had advantages according to Mike. “When I worked with cadets at West Point,” says Mike, “they would comment that one thing they loved was that I was a real person, living out the Christian life in a real world situation in the midst of a challenging work situation.” Back in Maine, the number of Navigator college campus ministries continued to grow. Until recently, all but one have been led by non-professional Navigators—individuals like Mike, that make disciples regardless of their vocation. Mike eventually went on Navigator staff and is the regional leader for these ministries. That, however, doesn’t really change things for Mike because, “I’d still be making disciples— no matter what!” D!
Join the conversation with Doug at blogs.navigators.org/DougNuenke/blog my. n av i gato rs .o rg/ discipl e
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FOLLOWING JESUS IN TODAY’S WORLD
FIELD NOTES FIELD NOTES
Spiritual Generations in the Heart of New York City In the heart of New York City, Peter and Amanda Trautmann work with college students from New York University, Polytechnic Institute of New York University, and Marymount Manhattan College—three of the more than 85 colleges in the New York City metropolitan area that are home to 585,000 students. “When I see Poly’s ethnically diverse student body,” says Peter, “and how open they are to the Gospel, I think it’s a campus minister’s dream!”
God will reach them through generations of laborers. Part of that dream is seeing the Gospel advance to new places. Brendan, a student at Marymount in Manhattan, was involved in the NYU Navigator fellowship when Peter suggested, “Why don’t you start a ministry at your own school?” Brendan met the challenge, with amazing results. Some 250 students at Marymount filled out questionnaires at the beginning of the school year indicating an interest in spiritual things. “That spiritual hunger isn’t unique to Marymount,” says Peter. “Some 1,350 students at NYU and another 200 at Polytechnic filled out similar surveys. And from among those students, we’re seeing the next generation of student leaders.” 4 | discipl e! | spr i n g 2 012
According to Peter, some students face deep struggles. “Students wrestle with doubt, eating disorders, depression, suicide, and all sorts of serious issues,” he says. “But they also get a taste of the truth that while we may suffer in isolation, we heal in community.” One freshman woman is living proof of that. She gave her life to Christ after years of struggling in many areas. She came into contact with The Navigators through a sophomore student who reached out to her. “One of our staff members, Susan Nacorda, explained God’s message of love and hope to her,” says Peter. “Now, Susan is helping this sophomore student help her freshman friend grow. Spiritual generations are putting down roots!” Peter described another freshman at NYU as “a seeker of God who grew up in a religious household but had just been going through the motions.” After a recent getaway with Peter and friends, this young man told him, “I want to stop being a moralist, and begin a real relationship with God.” “I realized,” says Peter, “that people like this friend probably wouldn’t be involved in anything to do with God if we hadn’t initiated contact with them. It’s a sobering reminder of how important this work is.” It’s also encouraging, because Peter can’t reach 585,000 students by himself. God will reach them through generations of laborers. D!
O
By Jim Petersen
A
ne day, as Jesus was going about His usual business of traveling from town to town, He stopped and called something to the attention of His disciples. They were in the midst of a crowd, yet the disciples were apparently oblivious to
the people around them, like we are when
we’re in a crowded mall.
Jesus, however, was seeing the people. He saw them as “harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd” (Matthew 9:36). Then Jesus made a statement that captures the essence of the basic problem in the world: “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few” (v. 37). And He went on to offer a succinct solution: “Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field” (v. 38). The next thing we read about the Twelve is that they are paired up and traveling through the villages of Galilee. They had become the workers Jesus had told them to ask God for. A DISCIPLE’S MISSION The only way such a plan can work today is for each generation to disciple the next. It is not enough to preach the Gospel to all nations. Those who believe must also be taught to obey all that Christ has taught. The people whom the Twelve evangelized and discipled were every bit as strategic to the progress of the Gospel as the original disciples were. These new believers had natural connections with families, society, and the workplace. They were positioned to take the Gospel into places the apostles could not.
A Disciple’s Vision Seeing the World Through Jesus’ Eyes
Each one of us is also uniquely connected to a network of lost people. If the Gospel is truly to penetrate a place, it will be through people Jesus calls salt, light, and good seed. This is the mission of the disciple. We’ll focus on three essentials that must characterize such people.
being AVAILABLE TO CHRIST Jesus said, “Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant will also be” (John 12:26). To follow Jesus is to be available to Him. This means taking the time to be in His presence. But in order to follow Christ as His disciples, we need to submit to God’s Word and allow it to judge “the thoughts and attitudes of the heart” (see Hebrews 4:12). It is in being where He is that we get our orientation for service. Where else will we gain the kind of compassion and love that Jesus felt for people? Our mission must be driven from within. The words we use, and the boldness to speak them, must also come from Him. To gain the mind and heart of Christ, and to access His power, I must spend time with Him. But I can only go so far alone. I also need the help of my sisters and brothers. John writes, “If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin” (1 John 1:7). We need one another to stay motivated and focused. LIVING AS A KINGDOM CITIZEN Jesus announced the arrival of the Kingdom: the eternal, unshakable rule of God over all that exists. Salvation is being “rescued . . . from the dominion of darkness and brought . . . into the kingdom of the Son” (Colossians 1:13). We are citizens of a different place. We
When my wife, Marge, and I should live accordingly. The Kingmoved from Brazil to Colorado dom leaves nothing in our lives Springs to work with The Navigauntouched. It instructs the way we tors, we were faced with a choice. think, go about our work, raise our All my colleagues would be Chrischildren, use our time and money, tians—and very good friends! and even relate to our enemies. We knew the workload would Our citizenship closes the gap bebe heavy and discretionary time tween our spiritual lives and our scarce. So I went to my brothers material concerns. Every action, evand explained that Marge and I ery attitude, should be a statement needed to find our friendships to the world that there is a better jim petersen among people who didn’t know way to live. Christ. I told them, “I’ll see you in heaven!” In Jesus, “the Word became flesh and made We have watched in wonder as the power of his dwelling among us” (John 1:14). When peothe Gospel has transformed one neighbor after ple saw Him, they saw God! another. The cost of that choice we made is a People today need to see the Gospel lived out pittance compared to the joy we are experiencif they are to truly comprehend it. We are called ing with these people. to live in such a way that we “make the teaching about God our Savior attractive” (see Titus 2:10). OPEN YOUR EYES We cannot hope to accomplish our mission if We who are Christ’s need to open our eyes we are not loving the lost and living among them. and see what is happening. Jesus’ analysis still stands. The harvest is plentiful, and the workGIVING ONE’S LIFE TO PEOPLE ers few. His solution also still stands. In one of His last conversations with His disciples, Go stand on your porch. Pray for the people Jesus said, “Unless a kernel of wheat falls to the in the houses around you, even if you don’t ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But know their names. Ask God to send someone if it dies, it produces many seeds” (John 12:24). to them. Make this a habit. See what happens! Jesus was saying, “If I don’t go to the cross, if I do not die, there will be only this single seed.” It’s your mission as a disciple. D! But He did die—and we are the seeds from His Adapted from Discipleship Journal July/August surrendered life. In the next verse, Jesus applied 1997. Used by permission of NavPress. the same rule to us: “The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in • Find excellent discipleship books written by Jim this world will keep it for eternal life” (v. 25). Petersen at my.navigators.org/petersen Jesus died for a lost world. He calls on us to • Want more? Listen to Jim Petersen’s message do the same. That means drawing in the people “How to Give Your Life Away,” download free who need Him most. But the cost for doing this audio at my.navigators.org/givelife is the death of our own self-centered lifestyles. my. n av i gato rs .o rg/ discipl e
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be coming a w om a n of
A conversation with Cynthia Heald
C
ynthia Heald is the best-selling author of numerous books and Bible studies, including Becoming a Woman of Excellence, Intimacy with God, and Uncommon Beauty.
This month, Cynthia is
leading a retreat at The Naviga-
tors Glen Eyrie Conference Center based on her recent book, Becoming a Woman of Simplicity. We wondered how simplicity became a major theme for her life and her writing.
simplicity Disciple!: Did input from your readers influence your most recent book?
Cynthia: Definitely. I am amazed at the intrusion of technology on our lifestyles, the influence of our culture, and the overwhelming needs of our society that pull us away from times of quiet with the Lord, unhurried time with family, and times just to be still and experience rest. I see this reflected in the women I meet all around the country and that influenced me. Because of the need in my own life and my heart for other women, I felt led to write about simplifying our lives in order to grow in intimacy with the Lord, to become more fruitful for His Kingdom, and to have our strength renewed by resting in green meadows. This study, as all my other studies have been, was first and foremost for me and I pray that it will be helpful to others. D!: Do you think that the process of growing a relationship with God is actually simpler than most women make it? CH: I do. In fact author Oswald Chambers asks this question: “Is the relationship between myself and God getting simpler than ever it has been?” I have found that in order to grow in my relationship with God, I must spend time daily sitting at His feet listening to His Word. For me, consistency is the key. It’s as simple as setting aside a few minutes each day to be still, read His Word, and pray. I refer to walking with the Lord as “keeping your hand in His.” D!: How did you first get interested in writing Bible studies?
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CH: When I turned 40 I realized that my life was probably half over. So I told the Lord that I always wanted to be in the center of His will. Later that year, I read Ruth 3:11 where Boaz tells Ruth that she is a woman of excellence despite being a young widow, living with an unhappy mother-in-law, and gleaning little hope of change. As I meditated on that verse I prayed that for the rest of my life I would be in the process of becoming a woman of excellence. I began to write down attributes of a woman of excellence and then wrote a study for the women in our church. A friend saw it, told NavPress, and the rest is history! D!: Who do you look up to in your Christian walk?
CH: I have a dear older friend named Mary, who mentored me when I first began to grow in Christ. More than 40 years later we continue to keep in touch and she is always available for counsel and prayer. D!
Becoming a Woman of Simplicity In a culture that pulls women in multiple directions, is it possible to adjust priorities, reexamine your time management, and reduce busyness in exchange for becoming like Jesus? Cynthia Heald offers practical help for women who struggle with the overwhelming demands of life. Order Cynthia’s book from NavPress; DVD and Leader’s Guide are also available for use as an 11-week study. Download a FREE CHAPTER! All this at my.navigators.org/simplicity
Resources for Today’s Disciple
When it comes to living out our faith, we all need a little extra help at times. Here are some resources to help you pursue a deeper walk with God.
blogs
video
camps
Navigators on YouTube The Vision: A Biblical Small Group within Walking Distance of Every Person on the Planet When there is a biblically functioning small group within walking distance of every person on the planet no need will go unmet, no hurt will go unnoticed, and no one will stand alone. The Gospel of Jesus Christ will be unveiled to the masses and the community will be transformed. This blog, by pastor and small group expert, Rick Howerton, is about all things small group. You will find book reviews and interviews, but mostly you will find a plethora of posts helping you be a better small group pastor or leader. blogs.navpress.com/rickhowerton/My-Blog Adventures in Church Life If you have the responsibility for administering the discipleship ministries of your church, you know there are no “standard” ministry programs any longer. So, where do we go and to whom do we turn for sound advice and encouragement? NavPress is pleased to offer a weekly blog from John Herring. Dr. Herring i s a Sunday School/Small Group practitioner with real-world church experience. He is also a member of the NavPress team. blogs.navpress.com/johnherring/My-Blog
If a picture is worth a thousand words, this video from The Navigators Legacy Series featuring Bix Nauman is priceless. Take a look at what a disciple’s vision is all about and see a vibrant illustration of what it means to raise up generations of spiritual laborers. my.navigators.org/nauman
books Books, Bible Studies and more from NavPress Take a closer look at what a disciple’s vision is all about in The Heart of Mentoring: Ten Proven Principles for Developing People to Their Fullest Potential by David A. Stoddard with Robert J. Tamasy. Discover how sharing your life with others is the most rewarding gift you can give— and the most satisfying gift you can receive. my.navigators.org/stoddard
Eagle Lake Each of Eagle Lake’s programs builds on the wonder of God’s creation, infusing the camping experience with biblical truth that kids remember forever. Eagle Lake is owned and operated by The Navigators, whose motto for the past 75 years has been “To Know Christ and to Make Him Known® “ Eagle Lake offers a wide variety of fun, challenging, and spiritually motivating Christian camping experiences for kids between the ages of 8 and 18. www.eaglelake.org/
online tools Find That Verse Do you ever find yourself frustrated because you know part of a verse, but can’t remember exactly where it is, or what the rest of the verse says? Do you ever read or hear someone citing a Bible text and wonder about the whole context in which that verse occurs? Bible Gateway enables you to find verses by searching for a word or phrase, and you can even compare various translations. www.biblegateway.com/
my. n av i gato rs .o rg/ discipl e
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The Mission Field Across the Hall by rebecca totilo
Your neighbors are people worth knowing, not merely projects.
After moving to a new city, our family lived temporarily in a drafty, dilapidated tenement house. When police tape appeared across one neighbor’s door and loud domestic quarrels from another apartment disturbed our sleep, I cried out, “God, what in the world am I doing in this place!” My vision for ministry was focused on going “into all the world,” (see Matthew 28:19). But God showed me that “the world” included my new neighborhood. “Start where you are,” He seemed to tell me. Our entire family decided to find ways to meet the 20 neighbors in our building. We learned names by reading labels on mailboxes, and began praying for individuals. When one family had a new baby, I bought them some baby formula. On other occa-
sions, we dropped by with baby food. We also reached out during holidays. At Thanksgiving, we passed out tracts tailored to specific neighbors. At Christmas, the children delivered candy canes and bookmarks telling the story of Jesus. On Valentine’s Day, we secretly delivered cards signed “Love, God.” One day, God prompted us to give Bibles to each neighbor. Before moving, we went door to door to give neighbors good-bye gifts of McDonald’s gift certificates, and told them about our relationship with Jesus. Most listened with genuine curiosity. You can start to reach your neighbors, too. Here are some ideas for getting started. • Begin with one block, floor, or apartment. • Pray each night for your neighbors.
• Take your family on a weekly prayer walk through your neighborhood. As you walk, you’ll get to meet and chat with neighbors. • Involve your children in delivering goodies. • Ask God to open your eyes to ways to serve your neighbors, such as cooking for someone who is ill. Small acts can have a deep impact. • Remember that the goal is relationship. Your neighbors are people worth knowing, not merely projects. Draw people out. Ask about their families, hobbies, and jobs. Invite them into your home. Be the type of person they would want to be around. In time, they may want to spend time with your Savior, too. D! Published in the July/August 1999 issue of Discipleship Journal.
save the dates
upcoming navigator retreats and events
Get together with likeminded people to pursue a deeper walk with God at the Glen Eyrie Conference Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Here are just a few of the upcoming events. Write That Book! Writer’s Workshop Calling writers of all stripes! Come to one of the most beautiful and inspiring places on the planet, to
grow, work, and enjoy a fantastic and unique writers’ workshop. You will be renewed, recharged, and refreshed. June 10–13, 2012 June 17–20, 2012 Hungry for Hope: A Family Affair Conference This is the premiere Christian conference for eating disorders and body image issues. Now hosted by FINDINGbalance, the conference continues to evolve as a key
equipping event for professionals and lay leaders alike. June 7–9, 2012 June 20–23, 2012 Marriage GetAway Retreat Terry and Leah Green will lead couples in a retreat that will strengthen and deepen their relationships. July 12–15, 2012
Scribbling in the Sand: Leaving a Creative Legacy Retreat with Host Michael Card Join singers, songwriters, authors, dancers, musicians, painters and artists who seek to shape their craft and soul through continued professional and spiritual development. The Scribbling in the Sand retreat is designed for all artists who embrace their place in this world and leaving a legacy, pointing the world to the cross. August 15–18, 2012 D!
For more information, please call Glen Eyrie Conference Center toll free at 1-877-488-8787 or visit www.gleneyrie.org.
Copyright © 2012. Chief Development Officer: Jim Young; Editor: Mike Smith; Art Director: Anne Meskey Elhajoui; Electronic Production: Steve Learned; Memberships: Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability and Evangelical Fellowship of Missions Agencies. The Navigators • P.O. Box 6000, Colorado Springs, CO 80934. www.navigators.org Feedback or Story Ideas? Email us at info@navigators.org. 8 | discipl e! | spr i n g 2 012
Downl oad, pr i nt , c r opandus ei t !