DISCIPLESHIP ALIVE
James Loke was a senior official in the Monetary Authority of Singapore when he received God’s call through a vision to pursue international missions. He relocated to Bangkok to head Hope of God International Missions. He has travelled widely to the various Hope churches and ministered in Hope conferences.
James is acknowledged to be gifted as a teacher. Presently, he is Director of the Education group (Group 1) in Hope of God.
He is married to Christine and they reside in Singapore.
DISCIPLESHIP ALIVE (Scripture Passage Acts 19:8-12)
Paul entered the synagogue and spoke boldly there for three months, arguing persuasively about the kingdom of God. But some of them became obstinate; they refused to believe and publicly maligned the Way. So Paul left them. He took the disciples with him and had discussions daily in the lecture hall of Tyrannus. This went on for two years, so that all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord.
God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them.
This is an amazing lesson on discipleship based on Paul’s two to three years’ stay in Ephesus. Paul stayed the entire period in Ephesus and had daily lectures. The result of this was that ALL THE JEWS AND GREEKS who lived in the PROVINCE OF ASIA (or what we would call Asia Minor historically) heard the word of the Lord.
In a time when there was no Christian television, no Christian radio, no Internet, nor podcasts, nor the communication systems of today, Paul is credited with the spread of the Word throughout Asia Minor.
How did Paul do it? It must have been through making disciples. How else could someone in a fixed location for two years manage to communicate a message over a land area the size of a modern day country like Turkey. Take a look at the map of Asia Minor at the back of your bibles and you will realize that this was an incredible feat. The churches mentioned in the 2nd and 3rd chapters of Revelation were a result of Paul’s teaching.
We can remind ourselves about some key aspects of discipleship by looking at Paul’s life in Ephesus.
1. Focusing on the Word
In the context, Paul majored on teaching the Word of the Lord and the kingdom of God. When we disciple others, there could be a temptation to share about so many aspects of life and philosophies. Knowledge is abounding more and more over time. While we need to mentor in a holistic way, we have limited time with our disciples. We must make sure that we help them thoroughly in their personal development, especially to grow spiritually.
We cannot neglect teaching the Word of God as much as we can especially as we draw closer and closer to the end of the age.
2. Being faithful
Paul had discussions daily. Some Greek texts of the book of Acts say that Paul taught from about 11.00am to 4.00pm. He took advantage of the lifestyle of the Ephesians who were having a mid-day break in the heat of the day. He faithfully taught them on a daily basis. There must have been a temptation to have a siesta but Paul would have none of that.
We may at times feel the burden of continual one-on-one shepherding but let us be encouraged by Paul that by being faithful, he was instrumental in reaching the whole of Asia Minor
3.Teaching responsive people
Paul left aside those in the synagogue who were obstinate to the truth that he was preaching. We will find people who are no keen to listen to what we have to offer in terms of God’s Word or God’s plan in their lives.
Our life span is limited. Therefore we need to be wise to spend more time with people who are responsive to God’s plan.
4.Being selective about disciples, yet open to new ones
Paul moved from the synagogue to the lecture hall of Tyrannus. He left behind those who were argumentative and were not co-operative with God’s plans. Yet, at the same time the lecture hall format allowed new participants to join in.
Some of our disciples may re-locate or move on to other areas in serving God. We should be open to taking on new people to mentor.
5.Depending on the power of the Holy Spirit
The passage shows us Paul’s great dependence on God. In turn, God granted amazing grace upon his life and he did extraordinary miracles. Like Paul, we should ensure that our message does not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power. We need to draw our disciples closer to God. In a practical way, we should teach them to tap onto the power of God. People in the world are not looking for new pastimes or hobbies so much as they are looking for the true and living God.
We need to show Jesus to people. The manifestation of God, through signs and wonders or revelatory means, acts as a strong convincing factor.
