Here are some commonly asked questions. You may even find that you have asked these questions.

1. This is really convicting to me!  How can I ever measure up?

If we are honest, we will all admit that the discipling practices of Jesus are really convicting.  None can measure up!  The fact is that Jesus was always elevating Old Testament practices to a new, nearly unattainable level.  Jesus elevated the sin of adultery to simply lusting after another person. (Matt 5:28-30 "But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.")

He elevated the importance of marriage and the acceptable reasons for divorce.  (Matt 19:9 Jesus said, "And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.") Once again in the gospels we see the normative practices of teaching God’s commands in Deuteronomy 6:7 raised to a new level. ("And you shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise up.") Rather than teaching only at the four prescribed times, Jesus was teaching constantly. Not only that, he went above the requirements of the law by demonstrating the biblical life by the way He lived. Who among us can measure up to that?  None can measure up.  But the point of Jesus elevating Old Testament teaching was to give us an example to strive for.  Paul exhorts us in Philippians 3:14, "I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." Let us all strive to disciple more like Jesus!

2. How can I do this while working to support my family?

As we mentioned earlier, no parent can measure up to the example that Jesus Christ set; we all fall short.  Each family will need to prayerfully determine the options and possible sacrifices necessary to disciple more like Jesus.  There are many, many things that can be done within the context of every family lifestyle.  One example that virtually every family can do is to simply follow Deuteronomy 6, which commands parents to teach about God when we arise in the morning, when we are sitting in our house, when we are traveling, and when we lie down at night. As we begin to talk about our Lord at these times, “practice will make perfect;” we will get better at talking about Him, giving testimonies to His goodness and faithfulness, at reading His word, and at teaching about Him.  We can all learn to do this!

Here are some other suggestions:

Some parents may be able to bring their children with them to work.  It may be possible for some parents to work from their home; I know of one dad who works at home on Mondays and Fridays. A financial sacrifice may facilitate the possibility of one parent quitting their job. Some entrepreneurial families may be able to start their own family business. You may choose to sell a home or car or other possession to allow you to spend more time making disciples; one friend of ours sold his home so that he could disciple like Jesus. The possibilities are endless!  Regardless of your personal family situation, ask the Lord to help you “think outside the box” for ideas to disciple like Jesus.

For more ideas check out the Real Life Examples, and the What Can I Do? pages.

3. What about me? I turned out OK without this discipleship like Jesus.

Praise the Lord!  You are a “Daniel.” You are part of the 12% who stayed in the church or returned after college.  We know that the Lord will always preserve a remnant of His people, regardless of how obedient we are.  We have a few examples in Scripture about men such as Daniel and Moses who received secular training as children and teenagers, but yet were able to stand firm in their faith.  But of course in each example, their parents were forced to let go of their children; they did not volunteer to do so.  Furthermore, not every child is a “Daniel.” More importantly, as Christian parents, we cannot be satisfied with losing almost 90% of our children.

4. How Will the Ministry Help Parents?

Disciple Like Jesus is a vision-casting ministry.  Our website provides a Personal Assessment, Testimonials from other parents, Real Life Examples, and options to consider in making choices that will emulate the practices of Jesus Christ in making disciples.  Parents will be encouraged and challenged to “take up their cross and follow” Jesus.  A book entitled Disciple Like Jesus For Parents will be available in the Spring of 2009 to further aid parents.