City Life Starter

Written by Scott Fiddler

The Word

36 Now in Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which translated in Greek is called Dorcas); this woman was abounding with deeds of kindness and charity which she continually did.

 37 And it happened at that time that she fell sick and died; and when they had washed her body, they laid it in an upper room.

 38 Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, having heard that Peter was there, sent two men to him, imploring him, “Do not delay in coming to us.”

 39 So Peter arose and went with them. When he arrived, they brought him into the upper room; and all the widows stood beside him, weeping and showing all the tunics and garments that Dorcas used to make while she was with them.

 40 But Peter sent them all out and knelt down and prayed, and turning to the body, he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter, she sat up.

 41 And he gave her his hand and raised her up; and calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive.

 42 It became known all over Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.

Acts 9:36-42

Reflection

So Peter sent them all out of the room, knelt down and prayed, gave her his hand, and raised her up. (Acts 9:40). Does that sound familiar? It should. Ten years before, Peter had seen Jesus enter a room where the dead daughter of a synagogue official lay. The room was filled with people, and Jesus sent them out, took the girl by the hand, and raised her up. (Matt. 9:23-26). Peter had walked with Jesus for three years, and he had watched. When Peter raised Tabitha from the dead in Acts 9, he was just imitating what he had seen Jesus do. This is the essence of discipleship.

The great first century Stoic philosopher, Lucius Annaeus Seneca, wrote, “…the road is long if one proceeds by way of precepts but short and effectual if by way of personal example.” Seneca knew something about discipleship. Seneca understood what modern educators and many Christians have not: the qualitative difference between making disciples and merely conveying information.

Attending law school lectures day after day didn’t teach me how to practice law; at best it taught me how to think. I learned how to practice law working under two fine attorneys, one of whom is now a judge, watching what they did, and then going and doing likewise. It was much more personal and a better education relationally, intellectually, and ethically than I ever got from a law school lecture.

A lecture to a class of 50 law students certainly seems more expedient than one student being apprenticed by two lawyers, but what is gained in efficiency is lost in effectiveness. It is the same with discipleship. Teaching conveys information from the teacher; discipleship imparts the teacher. Just as Jesus’ parables convey information on more levels than mere description, discipleship imparts more instruction than a weekly sermon. 

So, what does any of this have to do with leadership? I’ve always told the younger attorneys I train up that the plan is this: “I do; you watch. You do; I watch. You do; I go play golf.” And whether I ever do go play golf, eventually I will go, and they will be left to carry on with what they have learned. It is the same in the kingdom of God: leadership must be passed on for the Kingdom to thrive and continue to expand. But when one is discipling others he need not be concerned with teaching leadership because if he is a leader that is what will be imparted. Peter knew to take the initiative to raise Tabitha from the dead because Jesus was a leader, and Jesus imparted leadership to Peter.

Application

So, are you being discipled, or are you just a student? 

Prayer

Lord, empower me to be a disciple and discipler of others. Amen.