"Just as a nursing mother cares for her children, 8 so we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well. 9 Surely you remember, brothers and sisters, our toil and hardship; we worked night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone while we preached the gospel of God to you. 10 You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous and blameless we were among you who believed. 11 For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, 12 encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.13 And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe. 14 For you, brothers and sisters, became imitators of God’s churches in Judea, which are in Christ Jesus: You suffered from your own people the same things those churches suffered from the Jews 15 who killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets and also drove us out. They displease God and are hostile to everyone 16 in their effort to keep us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved. In this way they always heap up their sins to the limit. The wrath of God has come upon them at last.17 But, brothers and sisters, when we were orphaned by being separated from you for a short time (in person, not in thought), out of our intense longing we made every effort to see you. 18 For we wanted to come to you—certainly I, Paul, did, again and again—but Satan blocked our way. 19 For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? 20 Indeed, you are our glory and joy." 1 Thes. 2:8-20
We talked earlier on about how Paul would present the good news and a few would believe and he would disciple them as long as God let him. In this passage we get a glimpse of his discipling methods which we should model both in discipleship groups and even raising kids to follow Christ.
First of all, he loved them. He didn't see baby Christians who kept messing up or just didn't get it as a nuisance but like they were his own flesh and blood and they were technically because as believers we are all one family. He encouraged, comforted and urged them. Who are you discipling? Do you love them or are you annoyed by their lack of follow through.
Second, he spent major time with them. He didn't Zoom conference once a week but went to where they were. He lived among them. If we are talking about discipling youth, he went to their games and practices.
He taught them the word of God. How to study it, memorize it, interpret it. As I disciple some youth I've been tempted to give them some books to read that have been formative in my life. Maybe later. Right now let's get to know the Word of God.
You've heard it said, "do as I say not as I do." This is the worst thing you can do in discipleship. Model Christ-like behavior so that they can imitate you.
For me, this is convicting. There are a dozen things I'd rather do than sit with people and converse. I was amazed when my wife had someone over the other day and they talked for 3.5 hours. How is that possible or even fun? However, people is what the kingdom is made up of and we must learn to crave their company.
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