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Greenhouse Disciples
By: Mary Elder-Criss
My parents own a small greenhouse, where they raise several different kinds of flowers and vegetables. Recently my youngest daughter had a science lesson on how a seed germinates, so we asked my father for some space in which to plant her beans. For her seeds to grow, it was not enough that she simply plant them in the dirt. They required sunshine, and water, and accurate temperatures to germinate, all of which had to be provided by us. In the experiment, we placed one pot of bean seeds in the greenhouse, and furnished the essentials needed. The second pot we took and set in a dark closet.
After a couple of weeks the seeds in the greenhouse were flourishing. The pot in the closet looked pale, weak, and scrawny. The second group of plants did not receive the proper nourishment needed. Left alone in the dark, they were withering, and close to death.
Many times, we make the same mistake with people as with this pot of beans. We are focused on the lost, and praying they would come to a personal knowledge of Christ. Yet, once they accept Him, we fail to disciple them. We forget that for new growth to prosper, more is needed than a trip to the altar, and a prayer of repentance. Once they accept Christ, we act as if our job is finished. Nothing could be further from the truth.
And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, (12) for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ. Ephesians 4:11-12
However, one important thing to remember with discipling new Christians is this. Although we are called to teach and minister to them, we can not be their Holy Spirit. We must keep in mind that it is not our job to convict, but His. I recently heard a testimony from a man who was addicted to cigarettes and alcohol. He accepted the gift of salvation, yet it was three months later that he came under conviction about his usage of cigarettes. His testimony?
“One day, I was in the process of lighting up, and it suddenly came to me that God is probably not pleased with this. Into the trash can went my pack. A couple of weeks later, while opening a beer, I was convicted once more. My alcohol was dumped down the drain. What would have happened if immediately after I accepted God someone instructed me I had to give these things up? I most likely would have walked out the door and never came back. I would not have been able to handle that much pressure to begin with in my new life.”
Aren’t you glad God does not give us a timeline? That He does not look at us with all our faults and say, “I’m giving you a total of exactly three days to pull it all together?” Whew. I would be in big trouble. Thank God, He is long suffering and patient.
We are to lead gently, by example, and be ready to give an answer when questioned. If we are not sure of the answer, then we need to also be honest enough to tell them so, and either redirect them to someone who is more knowledgeable, or inform them that we will get back to them on their question.
I have heard many people claim that they gave up the Christian lifestyle because it was just “too hard.” Walking a narrow path to follow Jesus is not always easy. However, if new believers had someone willing to invest their time and energy to support them, would they give up as quickly?
When Jesus called His disciples to follow Him, He walked with them daily, and taught them. Today, we need to do the same. We need to devote ourselves as Christ did. We need to make sure that the necessary ingredients for growth are given, and that we nourish the seed. The job is not finished when the seed is planted. The seed can only be called mature when it bears fruit.
Copyright 2004
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