This question raises another question. What is discipleship from a biblical perspective? What did Jesus do that we don't do?

One of the traps we have fallen into is "attractional" ministry. We do things to attract young people with a view toward getting them interested in God. Attractional ministry is essentially consumerist in nature. If we put on a good enough show, they might come (and stay). Interestingly, in the USA, teens are leaving entertainment based ministries in favour of groups that feature serious discipleship, authentic worship, and genuine community. Contrast the attractional model with the missional model of Jesus. Much of his ministry was out where the people were. He proved Himself authentic and authoritative in the market place. He built relationships, challenged people deeply about priorities and issues in their lives, spoke God's truth and, most importantly, lived it. He rarely seems to have invited people to synagogue. Instead, He says, "Follow Me". Become part of my discipleship community.

Follow a person, not join an institution. Let my life, my values, my purpose rub off on you. He also said, "Follow Me and I will make you a fisher of men". In other words, if you follow Me as a rabbi, I will make you just like me. You will do what I do. Jesus intentionally mulitiplied Himself. In three years, He would be gone. He prayerfully selcted and trained the 12 to be apostles - not 'members', or even mature believers. He trained them to be disciple-makers, just like He was. Jesus never chased people. He proclaimed and demonstrated the Kingdom out where the people were. Certain people were drawn to Him and His message. He challenged them to deeper commitment. Some responded. He invested heavily in these, knowing that they would one day invest in others. Out of these He chose the 12 and focused esp on the 3, who would one day be the leaders. With the exception of Peter and probably Matthew, the 12 were most likely between 16 and 19 years old - young, enthusiastic, willing, and teachable. He was thinking long-term. Jesus knew that to reach the many, you must first develop the few.

Many of today's young people are very open to the spiritual. They respect authenticity, but are suspicious of institutions. As such, they see churches as either irrelevant or too hypocritical. Just like in Jesus' time, it will be our lives that first attract them to God, not so much our churches. The more of Jesus they see in us, the more impact our lives will have. Like Jesus, we have to lovingly and patiently invest in young people, allowing God's word, the Holy Spirit, and the example of our lives to bring about change. Jesus spent 3 years on the 12 -- how do we think we can get away with less?

I personally think that we have many incorrect assumptions about what the church should be and do. To find the way forward, we need to look back.

By
Bert Watson