Disciples Making Disciples

This past Wednesday 45 Sophomore students descended upon our Elementary classrooms. Replacing the weekly chapel time, small groups of high school students had prepared to “teach” individual elementary classes. Walking through the hallway was an encouraging experience, watching and listening to unique lessons and activities presented in each classroom.  

Our campus mission of discipleship training exists not only in our handbook, and not just in content taught by a teacher, but also practiced by each student. These sophomores have been learning that Scriptural discipleship includes a mentor leading us, a peer partnered beside us, and a follower learning from us. What a gift to have a PK-12 campus where this discipleship vision can be accomplished. 

However, releasing students to this strategic responsibility is not always an easy decision. What if the students weren’t prepared? What if they failed? What if their ideas weren’t the best? Obeying God’s plan often requires a special amount of faith, trust, and prayer.

As expected, giving room for God to work produced better results than any of our micromanagement could have ever accomplished. Students were bold and at times goofy as they testified about God’s faithfulness. Students who may have been timid in their high school classroom appeared confident, sharing clear explanations of what it means to be a Christ follower. Certain giftings perhaps not always visible in the traditional high school classroom were suddenly exposed and celebrated for the first time. 

This Wednesday was only a taste of what the sophomores will all experience this spring on their annual missions trip. Of even greater importance is developing a discipleship lifestyle. Yes, one that supports and often participates in both long-term and short-term missions. But also an intentional philosophy of boldly living out our faith with others, both within our Christian community and to the world. 

And just as Jesus’ disciples appeared mostly unprepared when he sent them out two-by-two, we often feel unprepared or that our children are not ready. But with a prayerful mix of wisdom, faith, and boldness, God is quick to show up in our midst! ​