The Importance of a Spiritual Parent

A disciple is a learner, one who learns in a certain way. A disciple learns by walking with his teacher, listening to what he says, observing what he does, and emulating his way of life. Discipleship is a form of didactics that includes apprenticeship, tutoring, mentoring and more. It is fitting that Jesus called us to be disciples as knowledge really plays a secondary role in our quest for Christlikeness. Pursuing the character traits we see in him are primary. These are acquired, over time, through intimacy with the Master and dependence on the Holy Spirit. We're talking about a lifetime of growth. What's to keep a new believer on this challenging track day after day?

Having a spiritual parent makes a world of difference. It certainly beats growing up in a spiritual orphanage where you are left to try to figure things out for yourself. Paul wrote, "Even though you have ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel."

That is family talk. As the parent, Paul said, "We were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her little children. . . . For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God." New believers need the individual, personal attention of a spiritual parent if they are to persevere.

Excerpted from Will This Rock in Rio? by Ken Lottis with contributions by Jim Petersen.