Discipleship is ultimately saying, “Do as I do.”

 (By Rick Lambert)

When I began my studies in the life of the second-century church father, Polycarp, pastor of the church of Smyrna, I was drawn to the powerful effect of true discipleship.  I observed a progression that began in Matthew 4:19-21 "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men."

The concept of training faithful men, as Paul commissioned his protege, Timothy, in II Timothy 2:2 is beautifully exemplified in Polycarp’s life.  Jesus called John and John discipled Polycarp in the same fashion that Paul trained Timothy.  Polycarp took what he had learned and invested it into Irenaeus, who in turned entrusted what he had learned to another champion in the Church, Hippolytus. 

I see over three hundred years of influence out of true discipleship, beginning with that seaside call of Jesus.  The truest expression of discipleship is the act of passing on what you have learned regarding the greatness of God, the accomplishments of Christ, and the power of the Spirit in our lives.

Discipleship should never be limited to a booklet or outline.  It’s the privilege of passing on what you have learned to another.  Over the years, I have noticed that growth took place in those I was discipling not because I could effectively convey what was in a book or commentary, but more what God was doing in my life.  Truly, effective discipleship is growing together.

Discipleship is ultimately being sanctified by the Holy Spirit of God. It's God training you, and imparting to you the power to walk in the reality of his glorious presence; it’s feeding our spiritual desires. Do you desire to know God?   Does your heart cry out to love Him with all of your being?  Then you must be discipled by him.  He will use others, but it will be his Word and his Spirit that will make you a devoted follower of Jesus Christ, and bring you into the joy of resting in him and his promises.

Look at it this, who desires for you to live in the reality of victory over sin more than you?  Our gracious God, of course.  But he desires to be the one to do it so that you would experience the deeper levels of joy in him. However, if you are not being discipled by him, you'll spend your lifetime in the disillusionment of self-effort.

The privilege for the disciple-maker is not simply passing on knowledge, but having the joy of describing what is true about God; how to experience the closeness of fellowship and the blessings of God's promises.  It’s not an academic exercise, but is transferring the lessons in the faithfulness of God from one life to another.  It’s ultimately saying, “Do as I do.”

Questions every leader should ask themselves

Since leadership is essentially about developing good followers, what questions should a follower ask a leader?  I though this resource from Max DePree’s book, Leadership Jazz was very helpful.

• What may I expect from you?
• Can I achieve my own goals by following you?
• Will I reach my potential by working with you?
• Can I entrust my future to you?
• Have you bothered to prepare yourself for leadership?
• Are you ready to be ruthlessly honest?
• Do you have the self-confidence and trust to let me do my job?
• What do you believe?

Most subordinates will never have the opportunity to ask such questions, so ask yourself these questions on their behalf.  What would you think about your answers if you had to follow someone like yourself?

How to approach your study of the Bible

(By Rick Lambert)

Faithfully!

II Timothy 3:14-17 – But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.

1. “…continue in what you have learned…”  The picture here is to remain focused on what has been given to you as declared in the Word, and to grow deeper in that position.  We don’t learn by gaining information and moving on; we learn by gaining information and adding to understanding.  What we learn becomes more valuable, useful and stronger for us.
2.  “…knowing from whom you learned it…”  It is true that we should remember the tools (people) God has brought into our lives to teach us the truth.  (Which is in and of itself a radical miracle when you consider the gross imperfections and inconsistencies of the messengers, be it our parents, teachers, spiritual friends and pastors).  We must remember that it is from God we have learned the Word.  Man will be the tool, but His Spirit is the One who imparts it in applicable ways.

How to approach your study of the Bible

(By Rick Lambert)

Guardedly!

II Timothy 1:13-14 – Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.

1. “Follow the pattern of the sound words…”  Possess and claim as your own the Word of God as given to you for your delight, protection and spiritual nourishment.
2. “…guard the good deposit…” (phulassō – to watch; to keep something safe).  The Word is a trust given to us; a treasure of God’s grace that informs of God’s doing, and the expressed details of His will.  It reveals His glory, and infuses us with His strength.  It is a constant comfort even when used to rebuke and correct us.

How to approach your study of the Bible

(By Rick Lambert)

                                    Aggressively!

I Timothy 4:6-9 – If you put these things before the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed…Rather train yourself for godliness, for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. The saying is trustworthy
and deserving of full acceptance.

1. “Put these things before…” (hupotithēmi – To place underneath, or place before as a hazard…).  The truths of Scripture are to be ignored no more than a road block in the middle of the road.  As we approach the road block, we must adjust are speed and direction accordingly.  Preaching, teaching and Bible study are to be road blocks that adjust our speed and direction.
2. “…trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine…”  (entrephō - to educate or form the mind). We are to be educated in the Word; which obviously implies attentiveness to the lessons from the Word and their application in our lives.
3. “…train yourself for godliness…” (gumnazō – to have a rigorous exercise). Develop regular, spiritual study regimens. 

Nine life lessons you will learn from my novel - Polycarp, a destroyer of our gods

NINE LIFE LESSONS

Polycarp, a destroyer of our gods is no ordinary novel, for while it will carry you off into an adventure, you will discover it becomes an adventure you are living.  Here are nine life-lessons you’ll learn from reading my book.

1.     How God grows you through your fears

2.     How God brings the right people into your life at just the right time to reveal how he is growing you

3.     How the tug of grace is far more powerful than the seeming gravitational pull of sin

4.     The book addresses the issue of why the world hates you and the only reason it should

5.     It clarifies how to find power to control your lusts, and why other methods don’t work

6.     How spiritual strength is grown out of suffering, and why you shouldn’t resent it

7.     How Christians are designed to thrive and make an impact for Christ is a godless world.   The darker the culture becomes, the more radiant Christians are designed to shine.

8.     The meaning of true discipleship from the pattern established by Jesus

9.     The awesome power of grace in the face of death to self and death in life

As one of my reviewers said; “As you continue reading, you find yourself drawn into the reality of Polycarp’s life, and before you know it you are living it with him.”

Nine life-lessons you’ll learn from my novel; Polycarp, a destroyer of our gods

(By Rick Lambert)

Polycarp, a destroyer of our gods is no ordinary novel, for while it will carry you off into an adventure, you will discover it becomes an adventure you are living.  Here are nine life-lessons you’ll learn from reading my book.

1.      How God grows you through your fears

2.      How God brings the right people into your life at just the right time to reveal how he is growing you

3.      How the tug of grace is far more powerful than the seeming gravitational pull of sin

4.      The book addresses the issue of why the world hates you and the only reason it should

5.      It clarifies how to find power to control your lusts, and why other methods don’t work

6.      How spiritual strength is grown out of suffering, and why you shouldn’t resent it

7.      How Christians are designed to thrive and make an impact for Christ is a godless world.   The darker the culture becomes, the more radiant Christians are designed to shine.

8.      The meaning of true discipleship from the pattern established by Jesus

9.      The awesome power of grace in the face of death to self and death in life

As one of my reviewers said; “As you continue reading, you find yourself drawn into the reality of Polycarp’s life, and before you know it you are living it with him.”  

How to approach your study of the Bible

(By Rick Lambert)

Persistently!

I Timothy 4:13, 15-16 – Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching…Practice these things; devote yourself to them, so that all may see your progress. Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.

1. “…devote yourself…” (prosechō – to turn the mind toward something; to give one’s attention to something.  It can even refer to an addiction.)  Our lazy, easy blend of reading for relaxation will never suffice when it comes to the living Word of God.  It may be so if you simply attempt to classify it as “good literature”.  For the follower of Christ, the Word of God is a major, faith-building tool.  To neglect it or treat it slightly is to dash your faith into ruin.  The study of the Word demands and persistent approach that overcomes our laziness and self-centeredness, while revealing the glorious inner working of our God.
2. “…practice these things…” (meletaō – practice, or review repetisously).  This is the missing ingredient to most studies, and the tragic neglect to any sermon preached – the Word is heard and read but not practiced as the most important work in life.  We are diligent to a fault in putting all effort at practicing temporal things and passing earthly tests, but fail with sophomoric neglect the practice of that which has eternal rewards.  We study, but rarely do we study to actually understand and live what’s been studied.
3. “…devote yourself to them…”  There can be no half-hearted approach to study.   
4. “Keep close watch on yourself…”  We study based upon daily inspection, spiritual desires or spiritual needs.  We should give as much, if not more attention to what we study than we what we wear, or what we eat, or how we use our time.  Pay attention to what you are spiritually longing for; for that which your spiritual heart truly desires.
5. “Persists in this…” (epimenō – derived from two words; epi – on, and meno – to stay. To stay at a particular direction, and not to lose sight of the course).  Our practice, focus and direction must be persistently upon the discovery and practice of the Word.  It must be a spiritual, formidable strength to withstand the weak dictates of our flesh.  The flesh is what we practice on – it should never determine the practice!

Leadership is called to earn, build 

and maintain trust

(By Rick Lambert)

Trust is not a simple quality born out of nothing.  Trust is complex, and though it may be given easily, once lost, it can be extremely difficult, and in some cases impossible to restore.  Trust the product of positive actions.  As you respond to people with strength-building actions, you are rewarded with their trust.  It also works the same way when you are seeking to trust someone else.  These actions communicate to you that that person can be trusted.  Here are few often overlooked ways to begin the restoration process of trust.

Sincerity – This is nothing more than simply meaning what you say.  Sincerity is the realization that the recipient of your words will likely make some decision, or form some opinion that will affect future decisions.  It’s making sure they have the best, and most accurate information possible to make the best personal decision.  A sincere person doesn’t want to be part of damaging anyone.  Self-centeredness cripples trust.  It breeds insincerity.  This is why people tend not to trust salespeople.  This is not a slam against any salesperson; it’s simply that they must produce more sincerity in order to win the trust of others.

Selflessness (others focus) – Treat others the way you would want them to treat you and others, like a customer. Your trust is cultivated by your willingness to focus on the desires, goals, ambition, etc… of others, and making them part of your plan toward helping them fulfill it.  As you discover their motives, you can build effective trust.  Put yourself in the shoes of someone else.  It’s the ability to communicate to others how they are important to you. (That is, if they are.  You must be sincere.)

Self-control – Trust is evidenced in your ability to master events that surround you.  Allowing events to get the best of you diminishes your trust in the eyes of others.  Actions such as anger, harsh or unjust criticism, even laziness are indicators of weak self-control, and communicate loudly that you may not be able to be trusted.

Truthfulness – One of the greatest trust builders is simply being truthful.  Lying, exaggerations, even incomplete information can blemish your honesty, and make it difficult for others to trust you.

“Truthfulness is at the foundation of all personal excellence.  It exhibits itself in conduct. It is rectitude – truth in action, and shines through every word and deed.  It means reliableness, and convinces others that you can be trusted.  And a man is truly prepared when it is known that he can be relied on – that when he says he knows a thing, he does know it, and when he says he will do a thing, he can do it, and does it.  This reliableness (the ability to be trusted) becomes a passport to the general esteem and confidence of mankind” (Samuel Smiles).

Consistency – No quality should be more emphasized than this one.  Perfection is not expected in anyone, but consistency is a quintessential quality.  Without it, trust becomes weak, and is met with reluctance and cynicism.  Develop the traits that people admire, and that are considered strengths.  Practice them, and be an example of them.  This will add consistency to your position, and make you a more effective leader and manager.

Principles of Trust

(By Rick Lambert)

Trust inspires confidence

Trust, and the confidence it inspires is the one of the main problem-solving attributes available to the leader.  Trust is the fuel that empowers leadership.  The weaker the trust, the slower leadership can move and implement growth. 

Trust purifies motives

On the other hand, the lack of trust in leadership only serves to burn up confidence and render trust inoperative.  Trust is the purifying factor of effective leadership and strong organizations.

Trust is earned

Individuals will tend to guard themselves against others they don’t trust.  You trust someone when you feel that they are supportive of you – they keep their word, they care about you, understand you, and want to help you.  It takes time to build trust.  People do not trust each other until they have had time to get to know each other’s motives, values, character, knowledge, and skills.

Never forget that battles are first won in the hearts of men, and then they are won on the battlefield and in the workplace.  “If the worker thinks that the leadership from the top is not all it should be, the discipline of the workers on the shop floor is often far from good – indeed, it is sometimes thoroughly bad”  (General Montgomery).

Trust builds teamwork

Trust pulls coalitions together and unites all the participants into a common cause or course of action.  Trust is a combination of others knowing who you are, what you know, and what you plan to do.

“Trust is the highest form of human motivation.  It brings out the very best in people.  But it takes time and patience, and it doesn’t preclude the necessity to train and develop people so that their competency can rise to the level of that trust.”  (Steven Covey - The seven habits of highly effective people).

WHAT IS TRUST?

(By Rick Lambert)

Trust is the confidence that channels cooperation toward common goals.

Trust is an expression of confidence

Trust is an action of cooperation

Trust is an expectation of what is desired

Trust is like invested money.  As you place trust in people, you are banking on the hope that your trust will grow in that person. Trust is a gauge of expectation a team member puts on a leader; the greater the trust, the more acceptable the risks.

Trust is like a building.  It’s either being built on something or torn down.  Trust is built on common ground (having things in common with someone else).  The more you have in common (values, goals, purposes, ethics, beliefs, causes – the greater the trust.  If trust is violated, you have to rebuild what you once had in common.  It’s going in the same direction.  (The most similar directions you are heading with someone, the greater the ability to trust and be trusted.)  Having things in common inspires confidence. 

Cultivating Trust 

(by Rick Lambert)

Trust is like good soil.  It is conducive to growing the best qualities in others, and for others.  Out of the seeds of trust grow the ability to visualize, persuasively motivate followers, build loyalty, and move a team of people to bring out their best in experiencing the reality of that vision.

Trust is the #1 ingredient necessary in solving problems.  President Theodore Roosevelt said: “Problems differ from generation to generation, but the qualities needed to solve them remain unchanged from the world’s end to world’s end.”

Trust is what brings the “relationship” into business and its process.  People trust business as far as they can trust it’s the people in leadership.  Without trust, unity will dissolve.  Trust in the leadership builds trust in the organization or cause, and in the processes it chooses to conduct and track its business.

If you want others committed to something, increase their trust in you and the plan.  Commitment and trust go hand in hand.  Be committed, and others will trust.  Get others to trust you, and they in turn will be committed to the plan.

Every day requires some thought on how you will build or maintain the trust others have in you, or the trust you have in others.  Trust is most powerfully communicated by your consistency of life, and your ability to keep your word.  Be a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, or simply forget to follow-through on something you said you would do, and the trust others associate with you will take a hit.