via TJC
“But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.”
John 1:12 NLT
“Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.”
Ephesians 6:4 NIV
The Joshua Commission recently updated its mission statement to add some clarity to what we are actually working to do for men in the Kingdom. For the first several years it read “The Joshua Commission Disciples Kingdom Men.” A true and worthy statement, but it now says “The Joshua Commission Builds Disciplemakers.”
As we talk this week about our spheres of influence I was challenged to consider new believers. A new believer has been given the right to be a child of God - that’s a promise from the Father. He isn’t meant to stay a child in his faith though. As the earthly fathers of spiritual children (who often are also biological) we are failing them if we don’t teach them how to walk with God and grow in their new family status. That’s what frustrates (exasperates) so many young believers to the point that many leave the faith. Maybe more common are the believers who simply stay spiritual children for years even as they do all the “religious” stuff available in the church.
We believe a mature, well equipped Kingdom Man has been trained not just to be victorious in the battles he faces but will also be a trainer of new believers (a Disciplemaker). I raised 4 children and spent a lot of time in church without understanding or getting this kind of training. Let’s not leave frustrated men on the battlefield any more.
Daily Battle Order:
Consider your sphere. Where are you most likely to encounter a new-believer, a young believer, a spiritually immature believer? Have you been in conversations with any believers who are frustrated with their walk with God (which may come out as frustration with religion or the church)? Maybe this is actually you. Don’t let them stay there. If you aren’t sure what to do then engage with us more at the Joshua Commission by joining us on a battlefield and share these Battle Orders with others to start a conversation about how to get trained as a Kingdom Man.
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