Practicing Christian Leadership, Mentor's Guide, MG11

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P R A C T I C I N G C H R I S T I A N L E A D E R S H I P

Paul used the metaphor of spiritual parenthood to describe his relationship both to individuals and churches under the care of his ministry. In same way a parent cares for a child, so Paul nurtured new believers in the faith through his personal correspondence with them, his personal intercession for them, his personal example, his instruction, and the representatives he sent to them. In the same way the Apostles raised up spiritual children through faithful care and nurture, so the Lord is calling us to take personal responsibility for the care, feeding, and protection of new and growing believers under our care, using the same insights and practices as the Apostles. Now is the time for you to discuss with your fellow students your questions about the necessity to strongly incorporate new believers into the Church, as well as establish them in the faith through godly discipling through spiritual parenthood. No believer is to remain or to be treated as a spiritual orphan. Each one needs the tender, loving care of godly support and oversight, both from pastors as well as teachers. These concepts undoubtedly have produced for you pointed and key questions that relate to you and your expression of the principles in your personal life. What particular questions do you have in light of the material you have just studied? Maybe some of the questions below might help you form your own, more specific and critical questions. * When I look back on my own experience, was I quickly welcomed and integrated within the Church after I first repented and believed in Christ? What kind of problems did I encounter with incorporation when I first believed that I should be aware of today when I seek to incorporate others? * Am I really convinced that you cannot grow as a disciple without the care and nurture of godly leaders in the context of a local body? What do I really believe about this? * Who discipled me in the faith? Did I “raise myself,” spiritually speaking, or who would I count as my spiritual father or mother in the Lord? * Would my spiritual leaders characterize me as a 1) easy child to raise or 2) a problem child, hard-headed and stubborn? Explain your answer.

Student Application and Implications

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