Trapped in the “bubble”

My oldest son, Charles, recently completed a training school in Texas as a first step towards being a church planter. It was a rigorous 9-month program designed to strengthen the character of students and help them establish Christ-like disciplines in their life.

Initially, I was not surprised as I learned about the specific expectations of the training school. In fact, it reminded me of my own experience in seminary. All the students were expected to be reading the Bible from cover to cover; there were a number of biblical subjects to be mastered; each was expected to be in a discipleship relationship with a mentor and be a leader within an ongoing ministry of the church–nothing too surprising there.

As I learned more, though, I started to get uncomfortable.

Scripture memorization is an important discipline in the school, and participants must be able to recite 78 passages back-to-back on the final week of the program. I regularly memorize the Word, but that’s a lot!

Fasting—last week’s focus in our InTENtional for 10—is another important discipline they expect students to be practicing, and each is expected to fast weekly plus work their way up to a 12-day fast. That would definitely be new territory for me.

And then I learned of their discipline in witnessing: each is expected to share Jesus’ story with no less than 3 people weekly. When I first heard this expectation, it immediately shed light on a problem I have needed to address for some time, namely getting trapped in the “bubble”.

The “bubble” I am referring to is the Christian bubble–a place where the only people I have relationships with are Christians. As a staff member in a busy church, it’s very easy to get trapped in this reality, and I have been caught in it for too long.

It’s not that hanging out with other believers is a bad thing. Fellowship is an important discipline, and we are called to be connected with other disciples (InTENtional for 10 discipline #5). But we are also called to be salt and light to a world filled with darkness. The Gospels are crystal clear: Jesus loved the “lost sheep” and wants all mankind to experience God’s forgiveness and grace.

So what I am doing about it? I’m glad you asked.

First, I am praying to see the unbelieving people around me as Jesus sees them; to notice their needs and to have a heart of compassion as He did. There are unbelievers all around me, but I have not been attentive.

Second, I am focusing on those who are within my sphere of influence. We all have a unique ability to reach certain audiences based on our life experience and attributes. My Texas roots, education, vocational interests and age all impact who I can best reach with the Gospel message. Lord, help me see who I can most effectively reach.

Finally, I am getting ready. “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have” (1 Peter 3:15). I have to have my Jesus story ready to share at any time. It details why and how I became a disciple. If you haven’t done this before, I would encourage you to write it out and practice with a Christian friend. It doesn’t need to be lengthy, just authentic.

Have you been in a bubble like me? Consider how you might sharpen your focus and skills in intentionally following Jesus as you witness to His awesome grace and mercy. Someone out there needs you!

Learning from the Master,

Charlie