We’ve returned to reading the last chapters of Dallas Willard’s The Divine Conspiracy as we wrap up this year’s apprenticeship. His chapters are on being a disciple/student of Jesus and how to go about training more disciples. Seems like a good fit for our “Entrusting” posture…
He starts his chapter “on being a disciple, or student, of Jesus” with these questions:
Who teaches you?
Whose disciple are you?
“Honestly, one thing is sure: you are somebody’s disciple. You learned how to live from somebody else. There are no exceptions to this rule, for human beings are just the kind of creatures that have to learn and keep learning from others how to live” (p. 297).
Willard goes on to say that although we in the west like to think that we are our own persons who make up our own minds, this is really only because those who have taught us have taught us that! We’ve all been disciples of many – parents, teachers, playmates, peers, public figures. We may not recognize it, but what we think and do is shaped by all of these.
Then, the kicker:
“It is one of the major transitions of life to recognize who has taught us, mastered us, and then to evaluate the results in us of their teaching. This is a harrowing task, and sometimes we just can’t face it. But it can also open the door to choose other masters, possibly better masters, and one Master above all” (p. 299)
What about you? Are you/have you asked these questions? (Cori has)
Who has taught/shaped you? How?
Who do you WANT to teach/shape you? How?
Comments(1)
