The author’s point is along the lines of intentional discipleship. Intentional discipleship is choosing an individual or group, communing with them regularly, caring for them, cooperating with them, and commissioning them to continue the work. (It took me a minute to get all those “C’s”.) This describes how a mentor/discipler looks for a disciple.

But what if we are constantly living as disciples, looking up to mentors and disciplers who may not have any idea that we are absorbing their examples, teachings, models and ways of life into our own? Or maybe, what if they are hoping that we are?

I think every good leader knows that the breadth of his influence goes far beyond where he can see. In the age of Facebook, Twitter and blogs it has exploded far beyond the already immense network of radio and television, books and magazines. As an example, this simple blog has readers from as far as Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Nigeria, and the Ukraine. How many times do you think the reach of well-known leaders has circled the world?

The books that we read, the people we follow on Twitter, the conferences we attend, the audio recordings we download… All of these and more are intentional methods of receiving discipleship.

I wonder if we consider enough that as much as we are open to the intentional inroads we have built for our hearts and minds, there are many that have built because we have not chosen to destroy or block them. There is a danger of unintentional discipleship that we have left ourselves open to.

Jesus said:

“For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil.” (Matthew 12:34-35, ESV)

“But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. These are what defile a person.” (Matthew 15:18-20, ESV)

The depths of our hearts are not only shaped by what we intentionally send to them, but are also developed by what we allow to enter them. Sometimes our defenses are low; other times are defenses are off. We have decided that as long as we are careful, we’re alright.

It isn’t quite so simple, though. Have you ever caught yourself lashing out and afterwards thought, “Where did that come from?” “That doesn’t sound like me.” “Looks like I’ve been hanging around so-and-so too much.” “I wonder why I reacted like that.”

What are the unintentional filters in your life? What is programming your mind and heart without your permission? What is programming you with your permission that you have no idea is actually influencing you? Think about the movies you’ve watched recently. Consider the magazines and articles you like to frequent. What music plays in your favorite coffee shop or department store? These are just a few examples of the unintentional disciplers of our hearts.

Set safeguards for your heart. As an example, I don’t listen to non-Christian music. Why? Is it because I think I’m more spiritual than the person who does? Not at all. I set boundaries on what I listen to because I believe in the power of the word and the emotional heart expressed through music. It is extremely powerful for me personally. As a safety net, I am mindful of what I allow my mind to learn and repeat. If anything, I recognize it as a potential stumbling block for me; so I must avoid it.

What about you? What are you guarding your heart and mind against? What is it open to? Take note of the disciplers in your life. Be intentional, yes. That will leave less time for the unintentional. But be prepared and ready for the unintentional to appear and to influence, because it will always be there.

“The Christian Atheist” is written by Craig Groeschel, pastor of multi-site and internet church, Life Church (www.lifechurch.tv). In the promotional material I’ve seen online today, Craig calls himself a “recovering Christian Atheist”. At the bottom of the post you can watch a promo by Craig on the book.

The concept for “The Christian Atheist” is that an overwhelming percentage of North Americans claim to be Christian. But do they really live as if they believe God exists and salvation is found in Christ? We hear it, read it, repeat it, but are those who profess Christ (“Christians”) who live as though God does not exist (“atheists”)?

My Dad told me about a book he picked up by a popular author. He started reading it and almost put it aside because it challenged and convicted him. I expect “The Christian Atheist” to have the same effect on us as we read it. Of course, if we can’t be convicted by the truth, we’ve got a deeper problem, right? Not everyone goes looking for a challenging word, but I think we as the people of God might want to start.

If you’ve picked up the book and read it, leave your comments here, or post a review at: www.christianbooklounge.com.

You can get more information, check out the blog and download a sample chapter at: www.christianatheist.com.

And now, the clip from Craig Groeschel:

It comes from 2 Timothy 2:8

“Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel…”

The key phrase here is “my gospel.” I double-checked various versions and the original language, and it is not supposed to say THE Gospel, it is MY Gospel.

There has been a lot of talk lately about the Gospel of Paul that was preached and written down and grew to overtake the “true” Gospel of Jesus. I don’t buy into that, but that isn’t my issue here. I am struck instead by the why I believe Paul called the Gospel his own instead of belong to anyone else.

Is it because of his writings or popularity? I doubt it. If you know many authors personally, most would tell that they do not write to become popular or because they want to have a devout following that respects them and increases their bank account. Rather, they believe they can shed light on something, speak into someone’s life, and find their blessing in being a part of the growth process for other people. Many cannot help but write because their mind is constantly at work and if they do not find an outlet they will either burst or become unable to progress in their own lives because they are constantly shackled by the thoughts they are not passing along. In many ways I believe Paul was similar in his heart; he could not help but write and be involved in the development of those he was privileged to encounter in life, even if he never physically met them.

Paul’s Gospel was HIS Gospel because he had made it integral to life. He could no longer live without it, the fact that Christ died and was raised so that we might be reconciled to the Father, finding new and eternal life in Him, and power through His Holy Spirit. It wasn’t his because he created it, it was his because it defined him.

Calling the Gospel MY Gospel is the simple way of stating what Paul had already said so eloquently and boldly:

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
(Galatians 2:20)

Because he depended upon and lived through Gospel to the point that he could call it his own, Paul was able to endure all the trials that life brought him.

…and so I am willing to put up with anything. Then God’s special people will be saved. They will be given eternal glory because they belong to Christ Jesus.
(2 Timothy 2:10, CEV)

Have you made THE Gospel YOUR Gospel? Sure, you might be able to explain to someone else. But does it define who you are and how you live, what you dream of and what you hope for? That’s what I think Paul is telling us here. Make the Gospel your own.

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* Unless otherwise noted, Scriptures are taken from English Standard Version (ESV).