Seth Barnes Aug 17, 2011 8:00 PM

Study Jesus first

A tip - if you're discipling a new believer, don't give them some kind of devotional book to teach them basic theology. And please, don't tell them to...

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A tip - if you're discipling a new believer, don't give them some kind of devotional book to teach them basic theology. And please, don't tell them to "read through the Bible in a year." If you think about it, it probably didn't do too much for you, and it probably won't do much to stir up life in a new believer either.

 

Please don't read Romans or Galatians.  It's great theology and essential reading at some point, but first, wrestle with the question: "Who is this guy I am supposed to be following?"

The priority for a new disciple should be to study his Master.  Who is Jesus and what did he do?  What do the red letters say?

"Follow me and I will make you fishers of men," he said (Matthew 4:19).

"Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you," he said (Luke 6:27).

"When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd," (Matthew 9:36).

"Ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest field," (Luke 10:2).

"My sheep listen to my voice; I know them and they follow me," (John 10:27)

"Feed my sheep," he said (John 21:17).

Jesus is a radical.  He won't be tamed or dumbed down.  Following him is hard enough without requiring disciples to study theology.  First learn what he says and do what he says.  Then once you have that down, move on to what other people say about him.

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