The Call to Make Disciples
By Robin Martinez
Mentoring, discipleship, life coaching. Whatever name you give it, I’m sure I don’t know enough to help out someone else.
“Hello. My name is Robin and I’m calling on behalf of ABC Church. I see from the information card you completed that you made a decision for Christ. How exciting! Do you have any questions that I might be able to help you with?”
So began my telephone calls, following up with dozens of women, either beginning or renewing a relationship with Jesus. When I signed up for the ministry, I imagined getting questions about the service times, childcare, and classes offered. Instead, I found myself confronted with questions about smoking marijuana, cultic beliefs, and homosexuality. With my sheltered small-town background, these were questions that I really hadn’t struggled with myself. So frequently my answer was, “I don’t know the answer to that. But let me spend some time in the Bible and call you back. May I call you on Thursday about this same time?”
Then with much prayer, Bible study, and often the counsel of a wiser Christian, I would study and search out the answers to the questions. Now, several years later, I recognize my own personal growth as a Christian during this time as I had to seek out and take ownership of my own beliefs.
As Karen pointed out, we don’t have to know everything. The 12 disciples certainly didn’t when they were sent out by twos. But they knew Jesus personally. And they wanted to tell others about this Jesus – the One who redeemed, the One who healed, the One who loved. The only essential we must know is Jesus, and Him crucified (1 Corinthians 2:2).
As a young woman, I desired one of those “older women” to mentor me. I wanted to see someone living out the Christian life through the ins and outs of every day. Now, as one of those older women, I must consider my own willingness to give back to someone else. Someone with questions, someone who wants to see the struggles and victories of a daily walk with Christ, someone who wants to see the reality and relevance of Jesus.
Jesus commanded His followers to make disciples and to teach them. It wasn’t a suggestion, and it wasn’t intended for only those 11 men in Galilee. The question is, as Karen asked, “Will I obey?”