This past Sunday we had the privilege of celebrating Father’s Day. Happy Father’s Day to all the fathers out there. Thank you for all that you do. When I think of fatherhood, the verse that always comes to mind is Proverbs 22:6:
“Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.”
When thinking of this verse, a word comes to mind as well. The word is discipleship. Discipleship is just not for fathers, but for all followers of Christ.
Jesus last words and command to His own disciples before ascending to heaven was Matthew 28:19-20.
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
There is something significant about this command to “make disciples”. The command was never to make “church goers” but to “make disciples”.
To “make disciples” mean to teach, to train, to discipline in truth until one becomes a true follower of Christ. I’ve been so blessed to be discipled by so many individuals that have took time to teach me, to train me, to discipline me in truth until I was a true follower of Christ.
I look back and think about the hours and years of car rides spent with Auntie Gracie where she taught me about God and always encouraged me to find Him. I remember the countless hours spent at Tim Horton’s and McDonald’s where Adrian taught me and trained me in everything he knew about God. I still remember to this day everything that they both taught me. I am forever grateful that they saw something in me and took time to invest in me and discipled me so that I can become a true follower of Christ.
I want to encourage all fathers, mothers, all followers of Christ, to find someone to disciple and pour into. You never know how your obedience to help “make disciples” can allow God to move in your life and in the lives of those you disciple.
Surely He is with us to the very end of the age, helping and guiding us, through the Holy Spirit.