Standing the Test of Time

This week, we are detailing the core activities and processes of TJC.

Via TJC

“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

The Joshua Commission’s commitment to build Disciplemakers is enshrined in the final stanza in our Creed: “Commissioned by Christ to be a Disciplemaker.”

When I first met Roger he was already well into his 70’s. He led a full life, with a career in insurance and then led an international ministry. But what made Roger stand out the most, was his lifelong devotion to pouring into other men. Roger was a Disciplemaker. 

I will never forget going to coffee with Roger at a local diner where he met regularly with other men. As we talked, he began to take sweetener packets out of the little caddy that sits on most diner tables. He took the white sugar packet along with the blue, yellow, and pink packets of the various artificial sweeteners. Then he shared a picture of generational disciple-making with me. Using 2 Timothy 2:2, he laid the packets out on the table one by one. The first packet represented the apostle Paul, the second was for Timothy, the third for faithful men and the final for the “others”. Roger explained that as a Disciplemaker (a Paul) my responsibility wasn’t just to get one man (a Timothy) to go through some good material about the Bible or God. Instead, it's to help “Timothy’s” life be transformed by a deep relationship with his Heavenly Father. Disciple making doesn’t stop with that “Timothy’s” life transformed either. That “Timothy” needs to reach others so their lives can be transformed also. As a Disciplemaker I was responsible to make sure my “Timothy” went on to share the same experience with other faithful men. Even then my responsibility wasn’t done until those faithful men proved that Timothy had done his job well and went on to disciple others.

Disciple-making is not a one and done relationship with a man. We must be transformed to the point where we cannot ignore God’s call for us to pass on what we have learned; otherwise this may have just been through another religious exercise. We must invest long-term into the men God gives us to disciple, ensuring generations of spiritually mature men who lead others, or we will miss the big picture of disciple-making.

Close to the end of his life, Roger wrote a book about his experience as a Disciplemaker. The title, “Fruit that won’t spoil”, came from one of his favorite verses from the book of John. 

“You didn’t choose me, remember; I chose you, and put you in the world to bear fruit, fruit that won’t spoil. As fruit bearers, whatever you ask the Father in relation to me, he gives you.” ~‭‭John‬ ‭15‬:‭16‬ ‭MSG‬‬

As Kingdom men this is our purpose. To bear much fruit, not just by getting people involved in our ministry or church, but by investing in their lives to the 3rd and 4th generation (and beyond).

Daily Battle Order: I don’t think it is an accident the best example of a 4 generation spiritual family is an actual family. Your family is your primary ministry to make this happen. Just yesterday I was with my parents, my sister, my nieces and two of their children. 4 generations in the same house. It was great. Have a discussion with your family today about what you are doing to bear fruit that won’t spoil–into each other's lives and the lives of others.