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Listen
I've noticed that different people interpret what that means in different ways.
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Just before he died, Jesus told his followers to "go and make disciples" (Matthew 28:19).
I've noticed that different people interpret what that means in different ways. Some seem to think it means just getting people to convert to Christianity, to start a relationship with Christ. The church I grew up in put quite an emphasis on the conversion experience, which usually had to be preceded by convincing someone to believe in Jesus. This is not a bad thing, but I think there needs to be more to it than just that. If we simply want to convince those we minister to that they ought to believe certain things, we limit the work Jesus could do in their life, and in ours. As someone who ministers to children, you are responding to Jesus' call to make disciples. But how can we do that in a way that actually works? In a way that builds not only the faith of those we lead, but our own faith as well? Is that even possible? Yes, it is—if we can learn how to listen. Jesus told his followers to make disciples, baptize them, and "teach them to obey everything I have commanded you." And what was his greatest command? "Love God and love others." That's not just starting a relationship. That's keeping it going. To teach people to love, you can't just tell them they ought to love. You have to love them, to teach by example. So to me, the most effective way to make disciples is not to argue with them or merely convince them that you are right but to listen to them. When you minister to children, you come alongside them. You hear their story, and find God at work in their story. Seeing God at work will, if you let it, build your faith and trust in Him. And then, if you can share what you observe with those you minister to, by saying something like, "It sounds like God really took care of you in that situation," or "God seems to be showing you his love through that friendship," you will build the faith of those you lead as well. By simply listening, you will be discipling them. God is at work in the hearts of all people, even small children, even before they are aware of it. If a child hasn't identified that presence as God, the beginning of discipleship is to help that child notice the activity of God in everyday experience. A few days before he died, Jesus told his followers, "Because I have said these things, you are filled with grief. But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you" (John 15:6,7). The word we translate as "Counselor" is, in the Greek, Paraclete. It means someone who comes alongside. (We get words like parallel and paraphrase from the same root.) Paraclete—God who comes alongside us. Which is what a good counselor does—comes alongside us and walks with us, listens, and guides. Jesus was talking about the Spirit, which comes alongside us and lives in us, listening and guiding us. |        
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