“And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.” (NIV)

In this passage you can clearly see the ‘four generations’ of discipleship that Loren was talking about: Paul - Timothy - Reliable Men - Others.

So the question becomes have we deliberately invested the ways of God within those He has brought our way –‘teaching them to obey what I have commanded you’ (Mt.28:18-20)? In other words, have (1) you passed on things you have gleaned from your walk with Jesus into (2) someone else, who then deposited them in (3) another, who, in turn,(4) pours their life into someone else?

Through the last three decades this has become the lens through which I view my life and ministry. As you probably already know, the meaning of that initial phrase in Matthew 28 is ‘as you are going, make disciples.’ So, as I have gone about living life I try to intentionally invest what God has deposited in me in those He has led me to mentor – young believers, mature saints, and leaders who need to replicate their lives within others.

Your thoughts?

~DB