Why disciples should be dropping out

It may surprise you to think about the number of disciples that stopped following the Lord Jesus Christ.  In fact, on two occasions He had large crowds following Him, and in both occasions He turned and gave them very difficult teachings for them to consider.

It was obviously to cut the crowd down to those who were serious about following the Lord Jesus Christ. 

One of those teachings was that you cannot follow Him unless you hate your father, mother, brothers and sisters.  The other teaching was that they would have to eat His flesh and drink His blood in order to follow Him.

Obviously the teaching was to reduce it to those who were serious and committed.  So today, if all of your disciples are getting through your discipleship ministry, something is wrong.  It may be too easy, or doesn't require commitment.  It doesn't filter those who are serious about following the Lord.

So you have a successful discipleship ministry if disciples are dropping out.  The way they drop out should be done in a very loving and caring way.  Always use caring and concerned words with them.  In our experience, many disciples who drop out come back later as the Lord continues to work in their life, and they are ready to be committed.

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