recent phone conversation

A guy contacted me and wanted to know if I would disciple him. He proceeded to ask if there were certain books he could read or study groups he could join that would speed up the process. I come across this kind of request often. Since there are so many different opinions as to what discipleship means, you have to dig a little to see what a person is really asking.

It's heartbreaking when I meet with these young men and witness the effects of either not having a dad present while they were growing up or living with a father who just didn't connect with them. Now, they're starved for solutions to all the unanswered questions, affirmation and for someone to unlock their purpose/person. They have begun a friendship with Christ and honestly do not understand why He was so relationally cemented to His Father. It's tough to frame discipleship for them while this very primal need remains unresolved because they are actually seeking something deeper than what they think discipleship means. I pray and trust God for wisdom on how to help this generation see Christ and flourish.

By the way, here's a very simple working definition for disciple:

Someone called to live in Christ, equipped to live like

Christ, and sent to live for Christ.