Episode 147: The Urgency of Discipleship in the Pursuit of Reformation (Part 2)

“You need somebody to be reminding you that you may be a great sinner, but Christ is a great Savior. Lean into that. Why will I be in heaven when I die? Not because of anything that I have done. All of my good works are as good as polluted garments. I stand on the finished work of Christ and the righteousness of him that I am clothed with.  So, remember that and be reminded of that by someone who is discipling you.” -Willy Krahnke

Summary of This Episode

This week on the Messy Reformation, Jason and Willy return to their conversation on discipleship. As we heard at the end of last week’s episode, the failure to intentionally disciple may be one of the most prevalent sins of omission across many Christian Reformed congregations. As Rev. Scott Vander Ploeg brought up at Synod and Rev. Dave Bosscher spoke on at the 2023 Abide Project Convention, we need to examine ourselves that we are faithfully working with the practical talents God has given us rather than being guilty of acting like the one-talent servant in Matthew 25:14-30, who buried their monetary talent when their master went away.

Having heard that discipleship can look different in various contexts and people, Willy guides the conversation this week with the question of what it looks like in the different roles that he and Jason are in. Jason offers two perspectives from his life—the young man who was preparing for pastoral ministry and now in his role as a pastor. As a laymember, he recognizes the need to be assertive. If you can find a godly person who you want to disciple you, ask them. They likely will be willing to do that. He’s seen how his being discipled by someone has created opportunities for future ministry together. As a pastor, he also takes a proactive approach by identifying young men in his church who he sees growth and leadership gift potential in. He uses a mix of 1-on-1 and 1-on 2 or 3—meeting regularly to work slowly through systematic theology while also meeting separately to address life more personally. Additionally, he encourages other men, especially elders, to take up similar discipling relationships.

Willy shares a 3-part framework of discipleship relationships that he finds beneficial and recommends. Discipling other couples with his wife by way of a small group (about 4 couples), being more peer-oriented, is horizontal discipleship. Discipling young men who he previously met and knew through youth ministry, with a clearer distinction of him as discipler and they as the disciples, is downward discipleship. He also meets with a veteran loved and trusted pastor, where he sees himself as being discipled, which he sees as upward discipleship.

While there may be worries or fears or hesitations that come along with discipling, part of our calling is to do it. We’re going to learn and make mistakes, which we may need to exercise repentance with, but we can’t let those things detract us from discipling altogether. If you’re wondering about curriculum, Jason shares there are things he has created, 222 Discipleship has curriculum, Willy mentioned an R.C. Sproul resource earlier—there is no shortage of good resources available (LINKS: Jason’s Sermons/Resources on Substack, The Messy Reformation Store, Ligonier Ministries Store, 222 Disciple). If money is an issue, remember you have access to the Bible for free—open it up and work through it. Willy also shares that he’s noticed a difference between men and women—women are attracted to discipleship in community and fellowship, while men tend to be attracted to a strong, godly man. Those differences should be considered with how we disciple.

One of the biggest obstacles to discipleship is ourselves. We’re worried we’re not experts or trained enough. Jason reminds us that as you disciple someone, you’re still growing yourself and dealing with your own sins, weaknesses, and imperfections. Part of faithful mentoring is showing how we deal with those in a godly way and seek the Holy Spirit’s strength. Willy points out how the religious leaders were astonished at Peter and John’s boldness in Acts 4 because “…[They] perceived that they were uneducated, common men…” God uses normal people, who don’t have all the expert training, and even “the small to shame the big.” He identifies one of these normal people in our circles is Herb Scheur, a truck-driving, pig-farming Iowan. He’s a man with an infectious joy, who many, including recent young adult representatives to Synod, have loved and revered because his love to pour into them is evident.

Willy wraps up the episode by pointing out an essential purpose of discipleship: “You need somebody to be reminding you that you may be a great sinner, but Christ is a great Savior. Lean into that. Why will I be in heaven when I die? Not because of anything that I have done. All of my good works are as good as polluted garments. I stand on the finished work of Christ and the righteousness of him that I am clothed with.  So, remember that and be reminded of that by someone who is discipling you.” May we not be negligent in this calling God has given us.