A wise son heeds his father’s instruction,
but a mocker does not respond to rebukes. Proverbs 13:1
He who walks with wise men will be wise, But the companion of fools will suffer harm.” Proverbs 13:20
Indictment 9: Replacing Biblical Discipleship with sociology and psychology.
It’s about time. Recently I have spent even more time with my grandchildren, especially my grandson Nick. His father died when he was very young and he is getting to that age where his Dad’s absence is very significant.
It’s fun. I have greatly enjoyed the time together. I pick him up at school on Fridays. We do things together: some play, some work. We are looking forward to a day trip to the New Orleans Bowl next Saturday.
It’s God’s way. The obvious has become clear to me: that God’s plan is for us to disciple through personal contact. Jesus spent time with His disciples. Paul did the same with Timothy. For much of history, parents spent time with their children. Fathers trained their sons in the family business. Mom’s taught daughters how to run a house. I know how very old-fashioned that sounds. I’m not suggesting that we go back in time. I am suggesting we recognize what “modern” life has done and make necessary adjustments.
Don’t Call the Experts, Yet. When our kids have problems we tend to seek “expert” advice. Call in the big guns. Sometimes that is necessary. Maybe it would necessary less often if we followed the biblical model of spending time. Sometimes it takes the observations of others to point out to us; that our kids will model us, whether we plan it or not. They will learn how to love, how to argue, how to control or be controlled by simple observation. When you see behavior in your kids, good or bad, look in the mirror. They learned it somewhere. Maybe from TV, but maybe from thee.
It ain’t easy. God ordained the spend-time model of discipleship because it works. Does it work! I have discovered how easily and quickly my habits and ways are picked up. This will come as a shock so prepare yourself. Not all my habits and ways are good. Discipleship, whether of kids, or office interns or new believers requires us to be on our best behavior. I think that’s all part of God’s plan. This system not only teaches others how to act, but requires us to be careful to act right.
Paul/Titus. If each of us had a carefully chosen Paul to guide our steps and an eagerly learning Titus to teach, the counseling boom would wither. We, especially us men, have to get over the idea that we know how to act instinctively. We have to grasp that we are teaching others whether it’s intentional or not. We better get intentional, and fast.
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