It’s not hard to find articles in some Christian circles advocating for a more “inclusive” faith. I get the concern. Rob Bell in his controversial book Love Wins was advocating for not setting ourselves up as on the inside with others on the outside. There’s something perversely appealing about being able to say, “I’m in, you’re out.” On the other hand, the gospel message has to be more than “Everyone is a child of God; some just don’t know it yet,” doesn’t it?

This passage contains both exclusivity AND inclusivity. Jesus is speaking:

There is a great cost for anyone to enter through the narrow doorway to God’s kingdom realm. I tell you, there will be many who will want to enter but won’t be able to. For once the head of the house has shut and locked the door, it will be too late. Even if you stand outside knocking, begging to enter, and saying, “Lord, Lord, open the door for us,” he will say to you, “I don’t know who you are. You are not a part of my family.” Then you will reply, “But Lord, we dined with you and walked with you as you taught us.” And he will reply, “Don’t you understand? I don’t know who you are, for you are not a part of my family. You cannot enter in. Now, go away from me! For you are all disloyal to me and do evil.” You will experience great weeping and great anguish when you see Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, along with all the prophets of Israel, enjoying God’s kingdom realm while you yourselves are barred from entering. And you will see people streaming from the four corners of the earth, accepting the invitation to feast in God’s kingdom, while you are kept outside looking in. (Luke 13.24 – 29, Passion Translation)

Doesn’t that passage contain both exclusivity (truth) and inclusivity (grace)?

• One enters the Kingdom through the narrow doorway
• Some will want to enter but can’t
• Some are part of the family and some not
• Being around Jesus and hearing his teaching is not enough
• People will come from all over, all kinds of people, and be part of God’s Kingdom
• Others are outside looking in

Maybe the next paragraph in Luke is the key:

O city of Jerusalem, you are the city that murders your prophets! You are the city that pelts to death with stones the very messengers who were sent to deliver you! So many times I have longed to gather your wayward children together around me, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings—but you were too stubborn to let me. And now it is too late, since your house will be left in ruins. You will not see me again until you are able to say, “We welcome the one who comes to us in the name of the Lord.” (Luke 13.34 – 35, Passion Translation)

Some (insiders!) are on the outside, and Jesus is sad about it.

I don’t take any pleasure in the fact that I can do math and the young man I have been tutoring for 18 months can’t (even though he makes A’s in school!). Often I see little progress, and that makes me sad. I’m doing what I can to change his inability to ability, while maintaining the truth of mathematics. The solution to “innumeracy” is not to declare that everyone is numerate, but to teach the innumerate with compassion.

The solution to not everyone being part of the Kingdom is not to declare that they are, but to help them enter the Kingdom and participate in its life.

Anyone who does not know the Teaching, you teach them. (Ezra 7.25, MSG)

For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. (John 1.17, NIV, emphasis)

There’s an intriguing story in Luke 13 contrasting release and religion.

When Jesus saw her condition, he called her over and gently laid his hands on her. Then he said, “Dear woman, you are free. I release you forever from this crippling spirit.” Instantly she stood straight and tall and overflowed with glorious praise to God! The Jewish leader who was in charge of the synagogue was infuriated over Jesus’ healing on the Sabbath day. “Six days you are to work,” he shouted angrily to the crowd. “Those are the days you should come here for healing, but not on the seventh day!” (Luke 13.12 – 14 (Passion Translation, emphasis mine)

Something is terribly wrong when something that should result, as it says, in glorious praise to God is instead cause for anger: “Infuriated…he shouted angrily…” So what are the people to do? The ordinary people to whom Jesus came? Whose side are they on?

When they heard this [Jesus putting the religious leaders down as frauds], his critics were completely humiliated. But the crowds shouted with joy over the glorious things Jesus was doing among them. (Luke 13.17, Passion Translation)

Again, Jesus is paying attention, not only to his teaching but also to the people around him. We don’t know that she came for healing. She might have just been coming to the synagogue as usual. She didn’t come to him. He saw her. And cared. And “released” her.

The synagogue ruler was operating from a perspective of religion. Keeping the Sabbath was way more important to him than anyone’s needs. Becky Manly Pippert who wrote Out of the Salt Shaker and other books said in an interview:

…if it really is God incarnate and he comes to planet earth, what is the chief criticism about Jesus? He just didn’t seem religious enough. Now that’s a pretty funny thing to say about God. –Becky Manley Pippert, emphasis mine

Religion with its rules doesn’t change from Jesus’ day until ours. I wrote earlier about a pastor putting down Calvary Chapel for reaching hippies, in part by not requiring coats and ties and by singing more upbeat songs. We all have our rules, and shame on us if they take precedence.

The morning I read this, I had taken a mid-week (very unusual) call from my son in Atlanta. A few days before I, resolved to have prayer time first thing in the morning. Do I stand on that new resolve? Or do I make time for people?

And he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. (Mark 2.27, ESV)

So don’t let anyone condemn you for what you eat or drink, or for not celebrating certain holy days or new moon ceremonies or Sabbaths. For these rules are only shadows of the reality yet to come. And Christ himself is that reality…Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. (Colossians 2.16, 17, 3.12, NLT)

Sometimes we have to take a break in life and on this blog! Here’s a photo from a recent hike (the new Sandstone Ranch Open Space off of 105 near Larkspur, Colorado). Looks like it came from a western movie…

Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work… (Exodus 20.9, 10, NIV)

Like a horse in open country, they did not stumble. (Isaiah 63.13, NIV)

We are looking at my friend Ray Bandi’s pattern for disciple-making through intentional relationships.

• Love
• Pray
• Model
• Teach
• Repeat

Today, we’re thinking about Repeat. Ray writes:

Disciple-Makers Love, Pray, Model, Teach, and Repeat as necessary because we know that most of the time, it is necessary to repeat if we want to make disciples. – Ray Bandi, emphasis his

Repetition is definitely the key to learning!

By this time you ought to be teachers yourselves, yet here I find you need someone to sit down with you and go over the basics on God again, starting from square one… (Hebrews 5.12, MSG)

Because the stakes are so high, even though you’re up-to-date on all this truth and practice it inside and out, I’m not going to let up for a minute in calling you to attention before it. This is the post to which I’ve been assigned—keeping you alert with frequent reminders—and I’m sticking to it as long as I live. (2 Peter 1.12, 13, MSG)

And as we close out this series (thanks again, Ray!), I’d like us to consider one more aspect of “repeat.” We want the whole process to repeat as our disciples love, pray, model, and teach their disciples!

If I have repeating the process in mind, that will affect the way I disciple someone. I do it in a way that makes them feel that they can do it, too. This is critically important. That’s one of the reasons we advocate for accessible tools – accessible to the trainee AND the trainer–the disciple-maker!

Jesus did that. He taught in such a way that when he gave them the Great Commission in Acts 1.8, by the end of chapter 1, they are making plans to actually carry it out. A friend of mine calls this “The Great Conclusion.” Yes, with God’s help, we can do this.

[Jesus said, ] “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”… [Peter said, ] “So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us—one of these men must become with us a witness to his resurrection.” (Acts 1.8, 21, 22, ESV)

So this brings us full circle to where we started. I hope you feel more empowered to do the work to which we are all called.

And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others. (2 Timothy 2.2, NIV)

Remember:

2 Timothy 2.2:  It’s so easy, anyone can do it, even lay people.
It’s so important, everyone must do it, even pastors.

We are looking at my friend Ray Bandi’s pattern for disciple-making through intentional relationships.

• Love
• Pray
• Model
• Teach
• Repeat

Today, we’re thinking about Teach. Ray writes:

So, disciple-makers also teach our disciples. Let’s picture that. As you know, there are lots of ways to teach the Bible.  But, ultimately all teaching for discipleship has one goal.  And that goal is to help people to become more and more like Jesus. A few years ago, a friend sent me this question:

“If someone asks you what is the objective for meeting one-on-one, what verse would you pick to help them get the life-change vision?”

After thinking about that question for a few days, I chose Colossians 1:28:

“We proclaim Him, admonishing every person and teaching every person with all wisdom, so that we may present every person complete in Christ.”

I chose that verse because Paul’s goal was to provide the personal accountability and the application-focused teaching that every person needs to become more like Jesus, and that’s what disciple-makers do. – Ray Bandi, emphases his

Ray is right: there are lots of ways to teach the Bible, but I’m convinced that not all are equally helpful. Teachers can teach just to satisfy their need to show off their knowledge and the student’s curiosity. Or one can provide, as Ray wrote, application-focused teaching to help people become more like Jesus.

I used to teach mathematics to adult college students. My goal, of course, was for them to do mathematics, not just watch me do mathematics – which they loved to do! Everything always went fine until we got to the part of, “OK, take out your books, turn to page 132, and work problem 12.”

For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the LORD, and to do it and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel. (Ezra 7.10, ESV)

Anyone who does not know the Teaching, you teach them. (Ezra 7.25, MSG)

You’ll remember, friends, that when I first came to you to let you in on God’s master stroke, I didn’t try to impress you with polished speeches and the latest philosophy. I deliberately kept it plain and simple: first Jesus and who he is; then Jesus and what he did—Jesus crucified. (1 Corinthians 2.1, 2, MSG, emphasis mine)

We are continuing to look at my friend Ray Bandi’s pattern for disciple-making through intentional relationships.

• Love
• Pray
• Model
• Teach
• Repeat

Today, we’re thinking about Model. Ray writes:

Disciple-makers also model our Christian lives for our disciples. Let’s picture that. 2 Timothy 3.10 – 11 is a great example of what that looks like.  Paul told Timothy, “…you followed my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, perseverance, persecutions, and sufferings…” I like this because it reminds us that disciple-making is not just about giving someone our teaching. Instead, it’s about giving someone our whole life.  You see, in addition to Paul’s teaching, Paul modeled eight other things for Timothy: Conduct, Purpose, Faith, Patience, Love, Perseverance, Persecution, Suffering. When Timothy read those words from Paul, each of those words created a picture of an experience that Timothy had with Paul. At one time or another, Paul lived those words with Timothy. Basically, that’s what modeling is.  It’s spending time with our disciples in lots of ways, so that our disciples can see our words in action. – Ray Bandi, emphases his

When I read 2 Timothy 3.10, 11, I see an order:

• Teaching, conduct (some translations say, “manner of life“), purpose: these would be the foundations of Paul’s life.
• Faith, patience, love, perseverance: these are some of the fruit of the spirit (compare Galatians 5.22, 23), and if someone doesn’t know my foundational values, they may not understand how the fruit of the Spirit or other behaviors work out in my life.
• Persecution, suffering: when Timothy experienced those with Paul, they were out in the world doing ministry together.

As Ray says, we’re modeling life in the midst of many different circumstances.

He appointed twelve that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach. (Mark 3.14, NIV, emphasis mine)

Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. (Philippians 4.9, NIV)

But you, Timothy, certainly know what I teach, and how I live, and what my purpose in life is. You know my faith, my patience, my love, and my endurance. You know how much persecution and suffering I have endured. (2 Timothy 3.10, 11, NLT)

Today is Veteran’s Day: thanks to all those who served, especially those who served in far more difficult circumstances than I did. It’s also my son Matthew’s birthday, and as I write this, we are planning to spend the day with him and his son Emerson in Breckenridge, Colorado.

We are looking at my friend Ray Bandi’s pattern for disciple-making through intentional relationships.

• Love
• Pray
• Model
• Teach
• Repeat

Today, we’re thinking about Pray. Ray writes:

Disciple-makers also pray for our disciples. Let’s picture that. Years ago, when I was single, I had the privilege of living with a godly couple so they could disciple me. One day while I was living with this couple, one of the men who had previously lived in their home stopped by for a visit. While he was there, he said this to me: “Ray, do you know the greatest benefit of living with LeRoy and Virginia?” Well, I could think of lots of benefits, but he said this: “When you live with LeRoy and Virginia, Virginia puts your name in her prayer notebook, and she prays for you … for life.” I lived with them in 1980.  Virginia went home to the Lord in 2014. Now, I have no idea how many things God built into my life through her prayers over those 34 years.  But I’m pretty sure that those things were many because that’s what disciple-makers do.  We pray Christ-like character into the lives of our disciples. -Ray Bandi, emphases his

Virginia Eims was Ray’s role model for prayer. The Apostle Paul was all of our role model and shows us exactly how to pray for those we are discipling.

For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. (Ephesians 3.14 – 19, ESV)

Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy…I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return. May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ—for this will bring much glory and praise to God. (Philippians 1.3, 4, 9 – 11, NLT)

We always pray for you, and we give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding. Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better. We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. (Colossians 1.3, 9 – 11, NLT)

We are looking at my friend Ray Bandi’s pattern for disciple-making through intentional relationships.

• Love
• Pray
• Model
• Teach
• Repeat

Before I get into today’s topic: love, here’s an update on his ablation procedure yesterday, Monday, November 9. Ray wrote:

Doctor said ablation went well. Will get more details later.  I’m feeling well. I’m humbled by the concern of those who prayed for me.  Please thank them.

Yes, thanks to you who prayed. I heard from two of you, and I’m sure others prayed without posting a comment. Now, on to today’s topic: Love. Ray writes:

First, disciple-makers love their disciples just like Jesus loved His disciples. As we read the gospels, we see many ways that Jesus showed His love for His disciples. But one of the key ways was by serving them.  In fact, Jesus told His disciples, “I am among you as the one who serves.” (Luke 22:27) So, that should be the same for us…For example, a few weeks ago, one of the guys I disciple had knee surgery, and he needed someone to walk his dog for the next few weeks. And so, I’ve been walking my friend’s active, crazy dog. That’s what disciple-makers do because we love our disciples in practical ways. – Ray Bandi, emphasis his

A pretty simple concept – simple to understand if not to carry out. It’s been said:

People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care. – Theodore Roosevelt

We loved you so much that we shared with you not only God’s Good News but our own lives, too. (1 Thessalonians 2.8, NLT)

If you’re a regular reader of this blog, you know that I write frequently about all of our responsibility to make disciples by intentionally investing time in people. Paul’s word to Timothy is a key verse:

And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others. (2 Timothy 2.2, NIV)

Paul -> Timothy -> reliable people -> others.

Wait, Bob! Paul was a missionary, and Timothy was a pastor! Yes, but the “reliable people” are the ordinary folks like you and me. “Reliable people who will teach others.” I like to say:

2 Timothy 2.2:  It’s so easy, anyone can do it, even lay people.
It’s so important, everyone must do it, even pastors.

So I am always looking out for ways to encourage people to dive into this, to make the process understandable and accessible. Therefore, I’m indebted to my friend Ray Bandi, who lives in New Hampshire, for passing this on, encouraging me to blog it! I heard Ray share this the first time at the memorial service for Virginia Eims, long-time Navigator, wife of Leroy Eims. Ray had lived in their home for discipleship training.

Ray says that this is what relational disciple-makers do:

• Love
• Pray
• Model
• Teach
• Repeat

That’s it! Love people, pray for them, model godly and missional behavior, teach, and repeat as necessary. We’ll explore these more over the rest of this week.

Here’s a picture of Ray and me from February 2017. And yes, I am standing up.

Also, if you’re a regular reader of this blog, you know it generally comes out around 5:30p. Why am I publishing this one early? Because Ray is having a second heart ablation procedure today, November 9, 2020, to try to correct a persistent heart “flutter.” I know Ray would appreciate your prayer that the procedure goes well and fixes the problem. I’d like to see Ray making disciples for many more years!

Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. (Colossians 1.28, ESV)

We saw it, we heard it, and now we’re telling you so you can experience it along with us, this experience of communion with the Father and his Son, Jesus Christ. Our motive for writing is simply this: We want you to enjoy this, too. Your joy will double our joy! (1 John 1.3, 4, MSG)

Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. (James 5.13 – 16, ESV)

I’ve done ministry with Chris Lake of Vere Institute, among other things, promoter of Mark Greene’s book Fruitfulness on the Frontline that I’ve referred to recently. Chris’s ministry colleague, Diana Gruver, wrote the most marvelous essay, putting the election in perspective and reminding us, as I wrote yesterday, there are people we love and respect on both sides. The essay is too good not to share. Here’s how she opens:

When you read this, the election will be in the past tense. The votes will have been cast. And (Lord willing) the results will be in. Some of you will be rejoicing and relieved. Some of you will be mourning, angry, or afraid. Those feelings will coexist in our churches this Sunday. Brothers and sisters in Christ will worship together (whether in-person or virtually), and some will be offering thanksgiving while others are asking “why?”  

That is why I am writing these words today, before I know the outcome of this 2020 U.S. Presidential election. Emotions are running high. Fear is running high. The divides are painful, and they run through our communities, our families, and our churches. And no matter what the outcome of this will be, there will be people in our lives—people that we love—who will experience those results differently than we will. – Diana Gruver, in an essay written in October, published November 4.

Then she introduces some certainties:

I don’t need to know the election results to write this post, because a presidential election does not alter the call of discipleship. Some of the practical ways we work out that call may be different based on election results, but the call itself has not changed. So today, I can write to you about what is still true.

1. God’s Kingdom is secure.
2. We are called to seek the good of the city.
3. We are called to continue the work of discipleship.
4. We are called to be peacemakers and bridge builders.
5. We are called to care for the poor, the oppressed, the needy, the outcast, and the downtrodden.
6. We are called to pray for God’s Kingdom to come, on earth as it is in heaven. 
7. We are called to continue to preach the gospel.

That’s a good and Biblical list. I encourage you to read the entire essay.

(Supporting #2) Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.” (Jeremiah 29.7, NIV)

(Supporting #5) He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written: “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” …As the Father has sent me, even so send I you. (Luke 4.16 – 19…John 20.21)