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Now there’s research from Barna confirming what we already should know: that inviting people to church is only one form of outreach. Among lapsed Christians or those who adhere to something other than Christianity or to no faith at all: 

• A plurality in each group prefers either a casual, one-on-one conversation or casual group conversation. 
• Overall, settings that prioritize relational interactions tend to be more attractive than approaches that don’t, even among those who are inclined toward spirituality. Being approached by a street evangelist or with a tract, for example, are unpopular methods even with people who are already open to exploring faith. 
  

I’m not saying we shouldn’t invite our neighbors to, say, Easter Sunday service. However, if they decline, don’t give up! Continue the conversation over a cup of coffee or while walking the dog.

And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. The Lord’s message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia—your faith in God has become known everywhere. Therefore we do not need to say anything about it. (1 Thessalonians 1.7, 8, NIV)

Through thick and thin, keep your hearts at attention, in adoration before Christ, your Master. Be ready to speak up and tell anyone who asks why you’re living the way you are, and always with the utmost courtesy. (1 Peter 3.15, MSG)

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Today I was inspired by an email from Frank Dennis, “retired” medical missionary. Frank is an orthopedic surgeon and served for a number of years in Taiwan. Paragraphs like this inspire me:

We have been well. Sally is tired much of the time… On 3/7 I had an inguinal hernia repaired by a very nice robot and a hanky sized piece of mesh, pretty sore for 3 days and now like it never happened!

I am still sleeping on ice which numbs my right sacroiliac joint. I make another trip to the freezer about 3 a.m. I will get another injection 4/2 in hopes it will promote healing. I am fine during the day except it hurts to stand. When I preach I keep moving around a little. There is gradual improvement and I am not disabled.

Frank and Sally are at least 90. They never complain. Did you notice “when I preach”? And, “I am not disabled.” Frank still preaches twice a month when he’s in town and frequently travels elsewhere, including back to Taiwan. Here is the text of one of his recent sermons–Elijah’s burnout. And there are no pictures of Sally not smiling!

Frank is on my list of heroes who never quit, including Navigator Jim Downing who returned from his last speaking tour just two months before passing away at age 104 1/2. My Uncle Sam was sending out inspirational emails until three weeks before his passing at age 99.

¹²  The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon;
¹³ planted in the house of the LORD, they will flourish in the courts of our God.
¹⁴  They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green,
¹⁵ proclaiming, “The LORD is upright; he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him.” (Psalm 92.12 – 15, NIV)

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A couple of days ago I wrote about “instant participation, instant success,” which was stimulated by a conversation with my friend Ray in another state. A few days after our conversation, Ray sent me this story:

This morning we had lunch after church, and I sat next to a brand new believer (Jan) and she told me that she just started meeting with the wife (Rosana) of one of the guys I disciple.  So, Jan mentioned that Rosana was helping her to memorize a verse from the Bible.  Jan said that memorizing the verse was work, but she was sticking with it.  So, I enthusiastically said, “That’s great!” and I explained your participation/success principle and shared the archery example.  She has one verse now: instant participation, instant success!

It reminds me of when I started working with Len, my physical therapist, taking him through Every Man a Warrior. I told him scripture memory was an important part of it. He replied, “I can’t memorize too well.” My response? “Of course you can!” I reminded him that he didn’t get through engineering school and then physical therapy training because he couldn’t memorize. And he’s doing fine: instant participation, instant success.

I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. (Psalm 119.11, NIV)

It is written… (Jesus, Matthew 4.4, 7, 10)

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My friend Ray shared with me the epoxy principle of disciple-making which he learned from our friend Rick. 

Epoxies are created through reacting an epoxy resin and a hardener.

That is, it takes two different chemicals to make epoxy. The hardener without the epoxy resin won’t do the job. Some of us are “hardeners:” trained and experienced disciple-makers. We know how to help someone mature in their walk with God until they are helping others do the same. But we are useless without someone to build into! 

Whenever I teach disciple-making, the inevitable question is, “Where do you find people to disciple?” Answer, God has to bring them to you! I’m always looking for the people. I pray for “men of valor whose hearts God has touched.” (1 Samuel 10.26) And when God brings one, the “resin,” I have the privilege of becoming his “hardener”!

In these days he went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God. And when day came, he called his disciples and chose from them twelve, whom he named apostles… (Luke 6.12, 13, ESV)

And he went up on the mountain and called to him those whom he desired, and they came to him. And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach… (Mark 3.13, 14, ESV)

You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. (2 Timothy 2.1, 2)

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Jim Furyk shot a record-breaking 58 on Sunday, August 7, 2016. Turns out his swing wasn’t doing well, especially the driver. After the third round, he went to the range, called his dad (his swing coach) and worked on shortening his backswing which had gotten too long. The result was that he hit all fairways but one and all greens in regulation. 27 on the front nine and enough birdies on the back for the 58. This statement is telling:

Less than 24 hours earlier, Furyk was posted up on the practice range trying to find his swing in between phone calls with his father. Eighteen holes later he found his swing and entered the record books in the process. 

“It’s kind of a reminder no matter how bad you feel with your swing you’re never that far away,” Furyk said, “or no matter how good you feel you’re probably not that far away from playing poorly, as well,” 

Life is daily and takes constant vigilance. If you’re down, Jesus is “only a prayer away.” “He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1.9) And, “Let him that thinks he stand, take heed, lest he fall.” (1 Corinthians 10.12)

Training is daily. I often post 1 Timothy 4.7, “Train yourself for godliness,” but here’s another one:

Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. (1 Corinthians 9.25, NIV, emphasis mine\)

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I was talking with my friend Ray this morning about the fact that some discipleship materials seem too complex. Not for “ordinary” people. We believe beginning discipleship, at least, should be accessible and reproducible.

I recalled a training method I heard about in high school: “instant participation, instant success.” For example, to teach archery, you would put a bow and arrow into someone’s hand and put the target a short distance away so that they hit the bull’s eye on the first try. Instant participation, instant success.

When we teach our children to drive (when they’re of age!), we take them to a parking lot first, and they drive. Then we gradually put them in different situations. Instant participation, instant success.

What about someone starting an exercise program? They may be 100 pounds overweight. Can you walk to the corner and back? Instant participation, instant success. Pretty soon, they’re walking a mile, then two, and they’ve lost weight.

We don’t need to make discipleship hard. Can we spend a few minutes each day reading the Bible? Let’s start there, and let’s mark as we read and listen for what God might be saying to us. Instant participation, instant success. We’ll grow in our knowledge of God and His word. We’ll grow in our ability to put it into practice. We’ll grow in our ability to share the word with others as well as help others be in the word for themselves, too.

Here are some examples of accessible, reproducible discipleship tools:

• Growing Strong in God’s Family
• Growing in Christ
• Every Man a Warrior
• High Quest (for men) and Women of Purpose

Train yourself to be godly. (1 Timothy 4.7, NIV)

Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” (Matthew 4.4, NIV)

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. (Colossians 3.16, ESV)

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My son David frequently sends me sports stories that will “preach.” I don’t follow the NBA this time of year, but he sent me a nice article on how the Milwaukee Bucks are training one of their players, especially, to shoot better 3-point shots. In the following paragraph, Sullivan is the shooting coach and Antetokounmpo is the player.

Together, Sullivan and Antetokounmpo have spent hours in the gym nipping and tucking Antetokounmpo’s shot. The Bucks call their personalized exercises “vitamins” because they “take them daily.” Antetokounmpo’s vitamins include a heavy dosage of shooting.

I like the idea of calling daily exercise and training “vitamins” because they “take them daily.” By the way, as of today the Bucks have the best record in the NBA. Those daily “vitamins” must be working!

Blessed are those who listen to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway.  For those who find me find life and receive favor from the LORD. (Proverbs 8.34, 35, NIV, emphasis mine)

Train yourself to be godly. (1 Timothy 4.7b, NIV, emphasis mine)

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I’m almost afraid to write this for fear that someone will be offended at what they might see as an improper approach to scripture. But I agree with author Ed Cyzewski, who wrote in his newsletter:

I wrote A Christian Survival Guide after going through a bit of a faith crisis and deconstruction/reconstruction. [Bob’s note: I have not read this book.]

I watched someone quite close to me lose her faith over a series of debatable Bible teachings that were presented as black and white, take it or leave it.

My premise for the book was that folks needed to know that there was a whole range of belief within the Christian faith.

Before dropping your faith because of some [specific] theology, consider that there are many other traditions that can be constructive, life-giving, and (wait for it…) “biblical.”

He went on to say, “I entered my 20’s trying to become an expert in Bible study, and I’m departing my 30’s trying to be still and quiet before a loving God.”

I couldn’t agree more. I’ve been around people who obsessed over every detail but seemed to fall short putting any of it into practice. They remind me of the “religion scholars and leaders” who assembled with the Chief Priest to condemn Jesus to death (see Matthew 27.57, 59). They not only found him guilty, an inevitable decision since they didn’t accept his identity as the Messiah, they also resorted to violence and mockery: “They were spitting in his face and banging him around. They jeered as they slapped him: “Prophesy, Messiah: Who hit you that time?” (Matthew 27.67, 68, MSG)

In our day, some of the most virulent “Christian” material you will read is by people denouncing the beliefs of fellow believers, sometimes over technicalities or, as Ed wrote, debatable issues.

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. (James 1.22, NIV)

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13.34, 35, NIV)

Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. (John 17.3, NIV)

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Flying home, Houston to Denver, from a business trip years ago, I was sitting next to a young guy who was having what can only be described as a hissy fit over our flight’s delayed takeoff. He was going to miss his connection for Aspen that night. He fussed, he cussed, he carried on to no end. Finally, I turned to him and said, “My friend, you’ll get to Denver tonight, you’ll stay overnight in a hotel, and you’ll be on the first flight to Aspen tomorrow morning. You’ll likely be at the ski slopes by the time they open. It’s really not worth a cardiac over something we can do nothing about.”

It’s back to indifference that I wrote about at length. Can we be indifferent to things that impact our schedule over which we have no control?

On a mission trip to India in 2014, I watched in amazement as our host, a pastor who had a lot on his plate that week from taking care of our mission team to planning and executing a major multi-church, multi-national gathering. 30-mile road trips sometimes took more than three hours. Yet he never flapped. My takeaway was, “Things take as long as they take.” 

Sometimes when I’m running an errand, for example, I want things to take less time than they take! There’s that internal tension, purely self-induced. I need a good dose of “things take as long as they take.” A holy indifference to time.

Jesus had that perspective. Many of his recorded encounters were unplanned, while he was on his way. The end of Luke 18, into Luke 19, he’s on his way to Jerusalem—a very important trip! But he stopped twice, once for the blind man and then for Zacchaeus.

And taking the twelve, he said to them, “See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written about the Son of Man by the prophets will be accomplished. For he will be delivered over to the Gentiles and will be mocked and shamefully treated and spit upon. And after flogging him, they will kill him, and on the third day he will rise.”…
As he drew near to Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. And hearing a crowd going by, he inquired what this meant. They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.” And he cried out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”… And Jesus stopped…
And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.” (Selected verses from Luke 18.31 – 19.10)

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I was meditating on Jesus’ arrest as recorded in Matthew 26.47 – 56 as well as Mark 14, Luke 22, and John 18. All four gospels tell how one of the disciples swung a sword and cut off the servant of the high priest’s ear. Only John identifies Peter as the assailant and gives the name of the victim as Malchus. Only Luke records that Jesus healed him:

And one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear. But Jesus said, “No more of this!” And he touched his ear and healed him. (Luke 22.50, 51, ESV)

So here’s a trivia question: what was Jesus’ last miracle before the crucifixion? Answer, healing Malchus’ ear. A more interesting question is, what happened to Malchus?

Jesus, once more, provides evidence of his identity, his power, and his compassion. There would have been a lot of confusion. It was night. There was a large crowd of men with clubs and swords. Not everyone would have even seen Peter’s attack. But Malchus knew! He was injured and he was healed.

People see what they want to see. What did Malchus see, and how did he respond? Did he continue to be loyal to his boss and the mob he was with? Or did he have second thoughts and one day become a believer? Scriptures don’t say.  Scriptures are clear that people have options and react in different ways. Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead: many believed in him and the religious leaders still wanted to kill Jesus and Lazarus!

When the large crowd of the Jews learned that Jesus was there, they came, not only on account of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. So the chief priests made plans to put Lazarus to death as well, because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and believing in Jesus. (John 12.9 – 11, ESV)

As we’ve observed before, Jesus is always giving people a chance to believe. He’s showing compassion and doing good even when his own life is in danger. And the results are never guaranteed. We don’t know if Malchus believed or not. And we don’t know how people will respond to our attempts at compassion. Jesus promised:

“A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household. (Matthew 10.24, 25, ESV)