I'm linking up today with Marla's Radical Read-Along. Won't you join us?
To start from the beginning of my Radical Read-Along posts, click here.
I really enjoyed this chapter. For one, I agreed with most of Platt's points about how to make disciples, using the "megastrategy of Jesus." I love how he described the process on page 90, "But according to Jesus, people are God's method for winning the world to Himself. People who have been radically transformed by Jesus."
I also really appreciated the practical ideas Platt shared for doing this thing! The example of the outreach that took place on Bourbon Street helped me to see the concept of "making disciples through personal relationships" in action. So did this wonderful post by a fellow read along participant!
The reminder that the process of "making disciples...is messy...slow, tedious, even painful at times...because it is relational" (p. 93) was important for me. God has answered my prayers and given me some opportunities to minister to a family in need from our school. Most of these opportunities have been a joy but some have been, well... messy and, um... complicated. Some of the circumstances I have found myself and my children in as a result of this ministry could be perceived as polluting. But that's ok. I know God has called us to those places and now is not the time to be disinfected, isolated and ineffective Christians. It's time to get our hands dirty and love this family through the pain and mess! And I love how the "bar on my Christianity" is already being raised in the process! (p. 100)
Platt's discussion on learning so that we can teach, not simply to apply the truth to our own lives, as important as that is, was great! I'm excited to hear next Sunday's message at church and listen "as if God's Word is intended to spread through" me (p. 103)!
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7 comments:
i also found Platt's words about this being messy, slow, tedious and painful encouraging. we're involved with a single mom and it's been joyful, messy and complicated. but like you, i know i'm called and i don't want to be "disinfected, isolated and ineffective". thanks for sharing.
My own life is quite "messy" and I'm so grateful for the people who have gotten messy with this single mama. They have been the hands and feet of Christ and I hope to get to be that to others!
Thanks so much for sharing this, Natalie. We're in the process of leaving our wonderful, but pretty disinfected, church for a church plant in a not-so-great part of town. I don't want to worry about our kiddos. I want to entrust them to God's care and focus on the amazing things he's going to do in the lives of these precious, lost people.
Thank you ladies- your comments encourage me and spur me on to love and good works!
Nat, I love your love to be obedient to God's word. Thank you for sharing your journey.
Natalie...this post was really touching to me. I have a tendency to want to stay in the "clean" environment and avoid the messy...I need to pray about that. Whatever happened with the young mother you mentioned? Maybe a follow-up post??
Mary,
Yes, I think I will do a follow up about her. Thanks!
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