A good example of discipleship

I witnessed a good example of discipleship tonight -- actually over the last several months. It involves the music program at Kaufman ISD. I recently attended the concert for the Junior High and High School bands. They were awesome, and they've won a number of significant awards this year. Yes, indeed, it was a great concert.

Tonight I attended the concert for Nash Intermediate School -- 5th and 6th grade bands. It was a good concert, too. A few more flats, some woodwind squeaks, and less polish than the high school band, but they were good. The band instructor, Teri Sanchez, a member of our church, explained how several students were highly motivated and practiced a lot. They had reached performance markers on the high school level and were recognized and given awards.

I thought, this is how discipleship works. Go for the newer believers first like this music program goes for the youngest children. Over several years of practice, learning, instruction, and more practice they will mature in their craft. They will be more than tolerable to listen to. They will be quite enjoyable.

In the church, we need to make disciples out of believers as soon as we can. Start them out learning the notes, how to make an instrument "work", and laying the groundwork for future maturity and ministry. At first the music they play will be simpler, squeakier, but challenging. Eventually they will find themselves sight reading in high school competitions.

Being in the band since 5th grade does not make a performer an automatic sensation in high school. Work, discipline, and obedience will make the novice into a master musician over time. Christians are the same way. Just being in church and attending week after week, even for years on end, does not automatically make a believer a mature, productive disciple. In fact, many long time church attenders think they have the right to administrative and leadership positions because they've been in church so many years. But they may be immature, ineffective, run of the mill Christians. (Lord, save me from being a "run of the mill" Christian).

Discipleship starts early; stays consistent; makes demands on the Christian; and insists on cooperation and submission to authority. But the result will be sweet music to God's ears as the whole church ministers and worships from the position of maturity and power.