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One of the questions I hear often is, "How do I, as an average person who works a 9-5 job, serve God more fully? How do I go and 'make disciples' when all I do is __________________ (fill in the blank - 'run a business', 'clean offices', 'live as a stay-at-home mom', 'program computers')?" Ephesians 5:16 tells us to redeem the time, but to this point - how do we do this? How do we redeem the time?
It's a fair question, and I often hear a follow-up comment as people say that this is easy for me (Tim) since I work in ministry "full-time".
Here are 3 quick thoughts.
First, we are all in full-time ministry, period. It's just that some of us have it as both a calling and a form of employment.
Secondly, we must not think that 'making disciples' = evangelism = preaching and having people, in response to a message, pray the 'I accept Jesus' prayer. Making disciples is a process of helping people become whole-hearted followers and students of Jesus Christ. That said, we can all help people move forward in this process by...
Third - prayer. We can always redeem the time and play a role in making disciples by praying for people.
Over the past few months I have had the chance to read several biographies of Christians who have made a significant impact on the world (Hudson Taylor, George Muller, etc.). One of the most powerful truths I have gleaned from these books is the power of prayer. It is not something that some special prayer warriors do - it is a calling for every person who names the Name of Jesus Christ. Thus, if you want to redeem the time but don't know how - pray for people you know. Pray for those who don't yet know Jesus. Pray for those who do know Him. Redeem the time.
- tC
It's a fair question, and I often hear a follow-up comment as people say that this is easy for me (Tim) since I work in ministry "full-time".
Here are 3 quick thoughts.
First, we are all in full-time ministry, period. It's just that some of us have it as both a calling and a form of employment.
Secondly, we must not think that 'making disciples' = evangelism = preaching and having people, in response to a message, pray the 'I accept Jesus' prayer. Making disciples is a process of helping people become whole-hearted followers and students of Jesus Christ. That said, we can all help people move forward in this process by...
Third - prayer. We can always redeem the time and play a role in making disciples by praying for people.
Over the past few months I have had the chance to read several biographies of Christians who have made a significant impact on the world (Hudson Taylor, George Muller, etc.). One of the most powerful truths I have gleaned from these books is the power of prayer. It is not something that some special prayer warriors do - it is a calling for every person who names the Name of Jesus Christ. Thus, if you want to redeem the time but don't know how - pray for people you know. Pray for those who don't yet know Jesus. Pray for those who do know Him. Redeem the time.
- tC
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