“I don’t know how.” It’s a common phrase around our house. My husband uses it when doing household tasks. My children use it when they need help with homework. Even I use it when trying to get out of going in the hog barn. Yet, as a mom, I often have to find out how to accomplish these tasks no one else knows how to do – Biology homework and all!
A few weeks ago I heard this familiar phrase uttered from an adult and it left me to do some thinking. Let me fill you in on our conversation a bit. A gentlemen and I were discussing lesson ideas for the youth of our church. I mentioned it would be great to get the students outside the church walls and have a lesson on service and being more mission minded in our day-to-day activity. He agreed and just as I started brainstorming out loud, he stopped me and said, “But, I don’t know how, so you are going to need to teach me.” I knew this man had an understanding of what it means to serve and even how to do so, yet he felt inadequately prepared. I assured him he had all the “know how” he needed downloaded into him from the power of the Holy Spirit, but I understood where he was coming from. We each grew up in different churches, but had a similar upbringing. Our conversation continued by acknowledging we had been raised in the church, we had been taught what we are called to do, yet the instruction of “Go!” is sometimes difficult to put into action.
In The Tangible Kingdom Primer Hugh Halter writes “This gap between learning and action has handicapped the modern church by producing passive ‘disciples’. We have taken discipleship off the streets and brought it into the classroom and the church pew.” When I read this I was reminded of the “I don’t know how” statement in the conversation about the youth lesson. Hugh is right. Now how are we going to change it?
I am not sure when the shift of taking a more passive approach to discipleship began, but I do believe God is instructing us to turn course and find ourselves out among the world. Turning to the Gospel will be a key tool in learning how to engage in the lives of those who do not know their Savior. Jesus was a living example as He instructed the twelve disciples on how to show others the Kingdom of God. Jesus said “I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.” John 14:12
I believe another way to start would be to pick up your copy of The Tangible Kingdom Primer and get yourself in a Life Group! Jesus always sent His disciples out in pairs or groups and you should do the same – plus it is a lot of fun to do together. I am certain there are many within our church family who “don’t know how”. So, let’s learn together without any shame, no feelings of guilt, and filled with grace as we practice this new way of life. Just as I help my children learn how to do something new, Jesus will lead us as we follow Him across the street or fence. Living an intentional lifestyle will take a little work at first, but like anything else, the more you practice the easier it will become; and soon you’ll be living it without any extra effort at all. As we grow together, may we ignore the “I don’t know how” voice in our minds and focus on our Leader as we shift our discipleship out of the seats and into the streets of our community.
Go and be a blessing, Becky Ossefoort