Connecting the Dots

Sometimes it really helps to have a plan in our minds that makes sense to us. It is kind of like drawing some kind of picture. If there are dots to connect in a specific order, the picture takes shape and looks like something that makes sense to us. If you are trying to draw a horse and you can connect dots 1 to 2 and then to 3 and so on, you have a better chance it will look like a horse and not a squirrel if you had no numbered dots.

Discipling another person is more comfortable if there are dots to connect. You just cover the material with someone or memorize certain verses and it's done. But...you don't have to think or be challenged or stretched or have to trust God to do the work in their life. In your mind, the picture of this person you are helping become a real follower of Jesus is more easily accomplished if there are certain dots to connect.

Phillip is about to go to a class without a textbook and the instructor is not in sight. How can you possibly learn or help anyone without the "Dot" textbook? Check out Acts 8:34, 35 and 39. What kind of textbook was Phillip working with here? Aren't we supposed to teach people to practice everything Jesus taught the original team?

Don't get caught in the trap of limiting God and using one discipling plan with everyone you are helping. After Phillip shared some stuff with this Ethiopian and baptized him, without notice God said "time to leave." But what about the follow up? There is no one box disciple making box with God. He is capable of bringing people into mature relationships with him any way he wants to.

Once in Athens, Greece in 1991 a student and I were teaching some Ethiopian refugees some basics in following Jesus. After our discussion they asked us what the origin of our church was. We had no clue. They however said they traced theirs back to this Ethiopian eunuch in Acts. This eunuch began the Coptic Church these refugees were a part of. Looks like Phillips discipleship plan worked.

Google Earth

None of us knew what Google Earth was a few years ago but it has become one of the best tools to check out new cities, get directions for travelling, view topography and whatever. But think about trying to determine how to get from Seattle, Washington Enterprise rental car location to Bellingham, Washington by looking at the globe that appears at the beginning of the Google Earth experience. All you see is a large globe that is cool for sure but will not get you out of the parking lot of your rental car dealer. However, if you type in your rental car dealer and city you can get a street view that will show you exactly how to get on Interstate 5 and head north.


Matthew 4:4, Hebrews 4:12 and 2 Timothy 3:16, 17 are like Google Earth in "street view". They give a clear perspective of what life is supposed to look like. The Message translation of John 10:10 adds that we will have "life better than you ever dreamed of." And the Timothy verse adds that the Word shows us truth, exposes our rebellion, corrects our mistakes and trains us to live God's way. That street view may be a little too close for you or maybe it just shows how much God really does love us and is interested in every aspect of our life.


Most people you and I know (including us at times) are trying to figure out life by looking at the globe map rather than the street view. Most don't even know there is a street view of how to live life. Some people don't even know what Google Earth is.


Google earth is a great tool if you are trying to figure out how to get somewhere or what something looks like...but only if you use the "street view."


Think about this


1. What kind of decisions are you trying to make these days? Get with a friend who has the "street view" and ask them what the Bible says about your decision.


2. What is a practical step you could take to change from looking at life from the "globe" perspective to a "street view"?