Teacher Or Translator: An Analogy For Discipleship
Much like evangelism, discipleship, for some, is uncharted territory or at least less familiar waters. Most conversations that I have had on the topic, bring out the fact that the particular believer hasn’t been discipled themselves, thus lacking an example to follow. Most committed followers of Christ want to fulfill the Great Commission by making disciples of all nations, teaching all that Christ has commanded but they just don’t know where to start. This is similar to evangelism, where most people know enough about the Gospel to share it with someone but they just don’t know how to get the conversation started or pointed in that direction.
One fear that I believe most believers struggle with is the fear of too high expectations of the Disciple-ee on the Disciple-er. It is the fear the more mature believer has to have it all together and have a well thought out plan of how this discipleship relationship is going to work. It is the fear that your sin struggles can’t be real and constant or that your desire for God’s Word can’t be lacking. It is the fear that you have to be their physical manifestation of Jesus. Can I put that fear to rest in you? What you have to be is the physical manifestation of a follower of Jesus. One in whom has been declared to be poor in Spirit (Matt. 5:3), sick in need of a doctor (Matt. 9:12), and weary and heavy laden (Matt. 11:28). In order to exercise faith in the Gospel, we have to come to the conclusion that we are undone, not enough, sick, dead, condemned, broken, sinful people.
An Analogy: What Discipleship Is Not. (That Most Believers Think It Is)
In my view, the most common misconception of the discipleship relationship is one similar to a Foreign Language Translator. Have you ever been placed in a situation where you were totally dependent on someone to translate what you were saying to someone else or vice versa? The reality is that you are completely dependent on that translator to be able to flourish in this situation. If you have ever been in a foreign country using a translator, then you know that every facet of your life has to go through them. Ordering food, traveling throughout the city, finding a bathroom are just a few examples. Without the translator you are stuck or you try your best to guess. If the translator doesn’t know the answer or the correct way to translate, then you are both in trouble.
Most believers think the discipleship relationship is one of Kingdom of God translator. This view can be held by both parties. The Disciple-ee can place these unbiblical expectations on the Disciple-er. The Disciple-er can believe that this is what they have to be for the Disciple-ee.
The reality is that Jesus didn’t even see His role with the disciples in this light. It is true that many times Jesus had to be the Kingdom translator. The parables and the Sermon on the Mount are prime examples of this. But He is the ONLY ONE with the authority to fulfill that role completely (John 14:6–7). You see Jesus’s desire for His disciples throughout the Gospels.
Matt. 4:19 “I will make you”
Matt. 10: 1 “he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority”
Matt. 10: 16 “Behold, I am sending you out”
Matt. 10: 24 “A disciple is not above his teacher”
Matt. 14: 16 “you give them something to eat.”
John 13:12–14 “do you understand what I am doing”
Jesus was a teacher! He saw young rough believers that needed shaping and molding. He was going to make them into his likeness. He clearly stated his intentions up front. He gave away his authority and sent them out. Jesus didn’t want the disciples clinging to him every moment. He was teaching them so that he could be multiplied in the Twelve. He was preparing for his departure physically (John 15: 15–16).
I have visited the countries of Brazil and Mexico where English is not spoken by the people. I had a translator for these trips. During the time that the translator was with me, I was able to flourish in a land where I couldn’t communicate with its people. I look back with great fondness of what God did during those trips. But I can’t speak Portuguese or Spanish. I still can’t operate in those countries apart from a translator. Personally, I am no better off today than I was in 2002 and 2003, when I took those trips.
I have unfortunately initiated and continued as a Kingdom Translator in the past. The Disciple-ee grew in their dependence upon me to give them all the answers and have it all together. I became their functional savior. When circumstances changed to where I could no longer be around them physically, they began to slip and stumble and fall away from the faith. Some were able to find other functional saviors and begin the destructive process all over again. I now have to be vigilant not to fall into the temptation to become another believer’s Kingdom Translator.
An Analogy: What Discipleship Is. (What Jesus and The Disciples Did)
Discipleship is like that of a Foreign Language Teacher. This person is fluent in the language yet they don’t use this fluency do build dependence on themselves but they equip and make more of themselves in others. One must be with a translator constantly in order to flourish. A teacher knows that they really have an hour or two per week to equip a student to flourish. A teacher desires that you understand what they are saying and doing. A teacher wants to see the student starting to not only pick up on the language audibly but also start to speak it. The teacher didn’t create the language. They had someone teach them the language. They may not be the foremost expert on the language but they know enough to teach someone to speak it. Jesus was preparing for his departure. He knew from the beginning that he would leave physically. A teacher prepares for the student/teacher relationship to end. They know they have limited time and so they have to get them ready to be on their own. The Apostles had this same mentality.
2 Peter 1:15 “And I will make every effort so that after my departure you may be able at any time to recall these things.”
Phil. 2:12 “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.”
Call to Action:
Have you been discipled? Have you been taught the language of the Kingdom?
You being discipled is the first step. Take advantage of the church’s Discipleship hour. Get to know people in your Gospel Community Group. See who could start helping you become fluent in the Kingdom language.
Are you speaking the language of the Kingdom? Do you know someone who knows/understands less of the Kingdom language than you?
Seek out someone younger in the faith that you can help teach them the Kingdom language. You may only know a few phrases but find someone who knows only a few words.
Are you a Translator or a Teacher? Are you actively modeling, equipping, and multiplying Jesus in others? How are you preparing for your departure?
Confess and Repent if you are being a Translator. Point them to the ONLY Kingdom Translator. Make every effort to prepare them for a life of Kingdom flourishing without you!
