Master and apprentice

Here's the first paragraph of the JDMC section on 'Becoming disciples'.

An apprentice with his master

Becoming disciples is important because it's the main way believers grow to be more like Jesus. It's not a process with a beginning and an end; it's ongoing throughout our lives. 

And we're not automatically disciples simply because we have believed. Not all of the crowds who listened to Jesus or were healed by him were disciples. Only those who believed, followed and were greatly changed could claim to be disciples.

So perhaps we should ask ourselves, 'Are we willing to believe, follow and be greatly changed?' Will you go in Jesus' name? Will you go where he goes? Believing is merely the starting point. Will you allow him to change you? It's not an easy choice and it surely isn't a comfortable journey. But it is worth it.

Will you be a disciple? JDMC goes on to suggest that a more intuitive word for today's world is 'apprentice'. Here's how traditional apprenticeships work.

1. The apprentice lives in the master's house, with the family.
2. Every day, the apprentice watches the master at work.
3. Early on, the master encourages the apprentice to try for themselves.
4. The master points out problems and explains how to avoid them.
5. When apprentices are ready, they are expected to work on their own and the master provides feedback after looking at the finished work.
6. Finally, the master send out the apprentice to work without supervision.
7. When experienced, the apprentice is recognised as a qualified craftsman and can take on apprentices of his own.

In the church, Jesus is the Master and we are all learning as apprentices. We are all disciples of one Master. And we all have the duty to make further apprentices, consistently pointing them to Jesus as the only safe example to follow.