The followers cherished this statement as it was spoken from the mouth of the Rabbi Jesus and they dropped everything to walk in his footsteps.  The disciples discovered with time that Jesus was more than just a Rabbi.  Remember what Peter said in response to Jesus asking him, “Who do you say I am?” Peter said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God”.  That confession is a powerful statement to those who believe, because it is only through God that it was revealed.  God must have a way to reveal the Christ to those who do not believe when it is not in the interest of people who have no idea of a Rabbi or a Savior.  They must believe on their own with the gradual help of others.  Discipleship is not an instant concept.  It is a relationship that must last long enough for a person not understanding to have a chance to become familiar with they do not know.

Our challenge in making disciples is initially contacting people that do not believe and do not know the Christ as the Savior.  How can we help people into the Lord’s Church as an ultimate goal when they do not have the initial discovery of what God has in store for them?  How can we make disciples when Jesus is not humanly available for them to imitate, follow, and learn?

Paul was challenged with this difficulty as we are today.  Perhaps we are challenged more as we are further from the discipleship culture.  God has given us a way to make disciples in any culture and he explained this way in his letter to the Corinthians.  “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” I Corinthians 11:1.  It’s that simple.  Find someone that is willing to follow your example as you follow the example of Christ.  Stay with them and give them a fair chance to understand and believe, so they too will be “fishers of men”.

Mike

The Thanksgiving Food Drive is now taking donations of Macaroni & Cheese and Jell-O.

If you or someone you know can use a Thanksgiving basket, please drop that information into the turkey box in the foyer.

Tonight we will have our Song-N-Supper!  Please make plans to join us and bring your friends and neighbors as well as your favorite finger foods!

There will be a Volunteer Work Day on Saturday, November 18th.  Breakfast will be served at 7:30am and work will start afterward.  There are sign up sheets in the foyer.  For more information, see Bill Flatt or Bill Gibson.

We will be having a Potluck Lunch next Sunday in the Fellowship Hall after services.  Please bring your favorite dish as well as your friends and neighbors.

Make sure your calendar is marked for December 2nd & 3rd as we, along with many of our former members and ministers, celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Woodlawn Church of Christ!

STATISTICS FOR OCTOBER 29, 2006