“I can do nothing on my own.” —John 5:30
America defines success by independence and self-sufficiency. But Jesus modeled something different: His dependence on the Father.
To disciple someone, then, is simply to be more experienced in dependence. Mentors are experts at childlike neediness on God. In fact, the best qualifier is being more needy than the person you seek to pour into. What you’re called to model is a life dependent on Christ.
This has nothing to do with self-improvement. The center of our faith isn’t self-glorification but God-glorification. The purpose of the cross wasn’t to give us the ability to be righteous but to gift us with Christ’s righteousness, allowing us to be with God.
Only worship of God is strong enough to bring about the lasting change we all need. If we focus on fleeing sin but forget to enjoy and worship Him, we’ve lost the battle. This is the primary objective of discipleship: to model consistent joy in God and dependence on God. He alone is our greatest good, and we need each other to see Him, enjoy Him, and love Him more deeply!
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“3 Metaphors for Mentorship” (ReviveOurHearts.com/blog)
Scripture taken from The CSB
Make it Personal
Who in your life is a veteran at childlike dependence? Seek them out and find ways to learn from them.