The Process of Discipleship
The Apostle Paul instructs Timothy, a young pastor, “The things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also” (II Tim. 2:2). This verse gives us an important overview of the process of discipleship.
1. Receive – “The things that you have heard from me…”
We each need to hear the Word of God for ourselves (hear it audibly, or as we read and study it personally). And more than just physical hearing with the ears is implied by the biblical term. Jesus shows that by His repeated use of the expression, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!” (Matt. 11:15; 13:9, 43). Of course they had physical ears. But to “hear” in this sense is to attend to, to perceive and understand, to learn. Contrast the Lord’s indictment. He told Ezekiel Israel “has eyes to see but does not see, and ears to hear but does not hear; for they are a rebellious house” (Ezek. 12:2).
2. Ratify – “Among many witnesses…”
We each need to confirm, support and attest to the truth for ourselves. To that end, Paul appeals to “many witnesses” who could assure others that what he taught was true. These could include contemporary observers like the other apostles (“those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses,” Lk. 1:2; cf. I Jn. 1:1-3). But they also include the writers of the Old Testament who foretold events that were taking place (cf. Acts 17:11). The importance of this is demonstrated by the Gospel writers’ frequent assertion that things happened “as it is written” (Mk. 1:2; 7:6; 9:13; 14:21, etc.).
Today we could add the testimonies and written biographies of other Christians. Their lives are a confirmation as well. Sound and insightful Bible commentaries and study books bear witness too. And there is one more witness to consider–our own experience. The Bible says, “Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the many who trusts in Him” (Ps. 34:8), and, “As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the Word, that you may grow thereby” (I Pet. 2:2). Spiritual growth, and the experience of the Lord’s goodness in our own lives are a significant means of personally ratifying the truth.
3. Recruit – “Commit these to faithful men…”
The next step is to prepare to pass on what we are learning. But not to just anybody. There is a place for that–for broadcasting truth widely. But here Paul counsels Pastor Timothy to seek out some particular people.
a) In this case they are to be men, because it is men who are to provide leadership in the church (cf. I Tim. 3:1-7); but in other contexts women are included too (cf. Tit. 2:1-5).
b) They are to be men of conviction, “faithful,” reliable individuals–in other words men of godly Christian character. We read of Ezra that he “prepared his heart to seek the Law of the Lord and to do it, and to teach statutes and ordinances in Israel” (Ezra 7:10). We cannot teach others what we are not at least in the process of learning ourselves.
c) As implied by the fourth point below, these are to be individuals who demonstrate some desire and ability to lead and to teach others.
4. Reproduce – “Who will be able to teach others also.”
The truth is to be “committed” (entrusted) to others, with a view to them passing it on to still others. We need to “hear” God’s Word with that intention. Isaiah said, “The Lord God has given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him who is weary.” And how did God prepare him for this? “He awakens me morning by morning, he awakens my ear to hear as the learned. The Lord has opened my ear; and I was not rebellious, nor did I turn away” (Isa. 50:4-5; cf. II Cor. 1:3-4).
Some seem to come to church because it is the thing to do. If they learn anything, it is almost by accident. They make no particular effort to do so. Others come with a desire to learn for themselves, and to benefit their own spiritual lives. This is good. But there is a step beyond, illustrated by what Ezra did: To learn for one’s self with the added purpose of not only applying the truth personally but of sharing it with others.
In listening to a sermon, do you consciously consider ways and opportunities to pass on what you are hearing? In teaching a Sunday School class, do you look for those in the class to whom you might give an opportunity to teach? In your times of personal devotions, are you excited by things you could share? Without this purposeful and intentional process of multiplication there can be no healthy and consistent church growth. It is vital to the future of the local church.