Wednesday January 20th, 2021
Memorize: Hebrews 13:17 Contemporary English Version (CEV)
« Obey your leaders and do what they say. They are watching over you, and they must answer to God. So don’t make them sad as they do their work. Make them happy. Otherwise, they won’t be able to help you at all. »
Read: Hebrews 13:17-18 Good News Translation (GNT)
17 Obey your leaders and follow their orders.
They watch over your souls without resting, since they must give to God an account of their service.
If you obey them, they will do their work gladly;
if not, they will do it with sadness, and that would be of no help to you.
18 Keep on praying for us. We are sure we have a clear conscience, because we want to do the right thing at all times.
Message:
As Christians, you must be careful when making the choice of whom to disciple you.
Success in a discipline is not enough reason for anyone to qualify as your coach and mentor.
The first thing you should consider is the spirituality of the fellow – how is his/her relationship with God?
2 Corinthians 6:14 NET says:
« Do not become partners with those who do not believe, for what partnership is there between righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship does light have with darkness? »
You must also be sure that the vision of the person’s life aligns with yours.
A close look at all the people God paired together for a discipleship relationship in the Bible will reveal that both had similar assignments – Samuel and Eli, Elisha and Elijah, Joshua and Moses, David and Solomon, Timothy and Paul among others.
Allow God to lead you before approaching anyone to coach and mentor you.
After choosing a coach and mentor, always remember that no matter how great he/she is, the fellow is not God.
Whatever he/she says must be first sifted through the word of God before you adopt it.
My Father-in-the Lord always told us to ignore whatever he said that did not have a biblical backing.
You must be submissive to your coach and mentor, regardless of how much smaller he/she appears to be.
My Father-in-the-Lord was not educated, whereas I had a PhD in Mathematics. When he said Jump I jumped the highest I could, without analyzing his instruction with my PhD brain. As long as whatever he said was in line with the word of God, I did it without asking questions.
You may even be more modern than your coach and mentor, still your obedience and submission must always be total in alignment with the word of God.
Lastly, ensure you pray for your disciples as well (Hebrews 13:18). Whoever helps others will themselves be helped (Proverbs 11:25).
You must be honest in the assessment of your followers; tell them where they have gone wrong and praise them when they get things right. You owe them the truth always.
Jesus never hid anything from His disciples; they knew when He was fasting and when He was praying. He constantly pushed them to become like Him and even greater (John 14:12).
In Matthew 17:16-17 BSB, He said “O unbelieving generation! How long must I put up with you?” He was saying, in essence: Get up and start doing these things yourself.
If you have a follower that has remained on the same level since he/she met you, you are failing as a coach and mentor.
May you never fail God in the mighty name of Jesus.
Key point: Let God choose your coach and mentor for you. Allow the word of God provide guidance in the relationship
Author: Pst E. A. Adeboye.
Text edited by Naomie
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