Surfing is a compelling force in our family. Not only is it a wonderful sport, but my wife and I have found that it's a challenging avenue of ministry to our community.

This became especially evident when our older daughter entered the teen years. Since friends are one of the most important elements of the teen-ager's life, we knew that one way of staying in touch with our teen was to become involved with her friends. Thus began one of the most memorable times of our lives.

One summer I took up to fifteen junior and senior high school boys and girls surfing every Tuesday morning. They began calling themselves the "Tuesday Tubes" group. We would often walk for about a mile down a steep, winding trail to get to our own favorite, isolated, surf spot called "Trails." After an early morning surf session we'd all dig into the pancake and eggs special at Luv Burger!

Just four years ago not one of those kids went to church. Nearly all of them came from broken homes, and some of them had never met the absent parent. What a wonderful opportunity to love them, to provide a touch of a home life that some of them will never know, to introduce them to the love of Jesus! We got most of them going to the youth group at church and before long nearly all of them made commitments to Christ.

My wife and I developed a discipleship relationship with these kids. But the minute I mention that word—discipleship—the issue becomes complex.

Most of us have heard the word disciple, and we have an image of what a disciple is like. My wife and I soon faced the question, What do we want these young surfers to be like? Should they be like the brand of disciple that our church or organization or Christian school turns out? What kind of a disciple do we want them to look like? In Lk. 6:40, our Lord indicates that a disciple, when he is fully trained, will be like his teacher. Do we want these wonderfully moldable young surfers to look just like us? That's scary!

These are important questions because each of us, if we are truly obedient to the Great Commission, will have our own little group of "surfers" whom the Lord is turning into disciples right before our eyes. It's that group within your church or parachurch organization, or in your neighborhood, whom God has given you. And our challenge is to ask ourselves, What kind of disciples will we forge these lives into?

When Jesus arrived on the scene in the first century, several types of individuals were called disciples. The term disciple was used generally to designate a follower who was committed to a recognized leader or teacher. What was unique about Jesus' disciples? Let's take a look first at some other types of disciples.

The "Other" Disciples

The disciples of the Pharisees (Mt. 22:15-16; Mk. 2:18) centered their activities on study and strict application of the Old Testament, developing a complex system of oral interpretations of the Law.

These disciples were supremely dedicated people, but they had a tendency to do the right things, according to their interpretations, without having their hearts rightly motivated (Mt. 15:7-9). Jesus' denunciations of certain Pharisees are among the most scathing in Scripture (e.g., Mt. 5:20; Mt. 23:1-39).

The disciples of John the Baptist (Mk. 2:18; Jn. 1:35) were courageous men and women who had left the status quo of institutional Judaism to follow a prophet. They were members of a movement.

These disciples were a complex group. From them came the first followers of Jesus (Jn. 1:35-37). Some of John's disciples remained in contact with Jesus during His ministry in Galilee (Mt. 14:12). Yet, on at least one occasion, they joined forces with the disciples of the Pharisees to question the practices of Jesus and His disciples (Mk. 2:18-22). Apparently some of John the Baptist's disciples were so committed to him that they missed the true significance of Jesus' identity.

The Jews who questioned the parents of the man born blind (Jn. 9:18-23) attempted to scorn the man by saying that, although he was a disciple of Jesus, they were disciples of Moses (Jn. 9:28). They focused on being born Jews, thereby having a special relationship to God through Moses (cf. Jn. 9:29). These Jews were so focused on their privileged position that they missed the witness that the Law of Moses had to Jesus.

During the beginning stages of Jesus' ministry a large group of "disciples" attached themselves to Him. Some, apparently thinking that He was merely a revolutionary prophet, became disciples who deserted (Jn. 6:60-66) when He disappointed their expectations. They seemed to be looking for a leader to overthrow the Romans and to restore the rule to Israel. Many of them left homes and jobs to follow Jesus; some were even ready to die for their cause. This attitude is radical on the surface, but when we look deeper we see people who wanted God to conform to their way of thinking. They were willing to be disciples, but on their terms. When Jesus didn't do things their way, they left Him.

Institutionalism or Discipleship?

The tragedy is that all of these disciples were involved with religious practices that should have prepared the way for them to become followers of Jesus. Instead, they missed the One for whom they were waiting, primarily because their religious practices had become so important that they overlooked the appearance of God among them.

This points to one of the great dangers of any kind of discipleship program: focusing so much on the practices of discipleship that we lose sight of the goal. We see in these disciples the dangers of institutionalism.

Institutions are designed to equip individuals to walk with God. They are a means to an end. But often the institution becomes more important than the individual, and the individual begins serving the institution.

Think of your institution. Whether it is a church, a parachurch organization, a new movement, or a little discipleship group like my wife and I had with the surfers, we need to ask ourselves some tough questions.

Are we making disciples of our institutions, or are our institutions making disciples of Jesus?

Are our disciples proficient at programs or at living a radical relationship with Jesus?

Does our attachment to our institutions isolate us from the world or equip us for changing the world?

Are people focusing on us because of the importance of our programs, or are we—and our programs—the "means to the end" so that people see Jesus more clearly?

Institutions are not bad, per se, as long as we realize the end for which they are designed. Jesus established the Church as His functioning Body on earth in His absence. The Church is designed to draw people into a loving fellowship with the Lord Jesus Christ and His people. But it is possible to turn our churches or organizations into cold, religious institutions if we do not heed the dangers of institutionalism.

Finding a Balance

How can we prevent institutionalism? The key is to follow Jesus' example. He provided a model for us to follow as we fulfill His commission to "make disciples of all the nations" (Mt. 28:18-20). In addition, we must strive for balance as we follow Jesus' example. If we try too hard to avoid institutionalism, we can end up missing out on the benefits that institutions have to offer. On the other hand, if we go too far in employing the methods of any particular institution we may end up creating disciples of that institution instead of disciples of Jesus.

My wife and I have experienced times of both joy and discouragement with these wonderful young people. We have made mistakes, but the Lord continues to encourage us to follow His example. What has that meant for us?

Personalized Discipleship

When Jesus called men and women to follow Him, He offered a personal relationship with Himself, not simply an alternative lifestyle or different religious practices. Some of the sectarians within Judaism created separations between the "righteous" and the "unrighteous" by their regulations and traditions. Jesus broke through those barriers by calling to Himself those who, in the eyes of sectarians, did not seem to qualify for fellowship with Him (Mt. 9:9-13; Mk. 2:13-17). Discipleship means the beginning of a new life in intimate fellowship with a living Master and Savior.

Many young surfers come from backgrounds where attitudes, lifestyles, and standards are quite different from those in traditional Christian circles. It is too easy to look at the surface and miss the great needs that lie within. We must be ready to extend our fellowship to those who differ from traditional Christian appearances.

We have tried to emphasize to these young surfers that, while discipleship to Jesus will inevitably bring about changes of lifestyle, their new life primarily means that they are entering into a personal relationship with Him. Becoming a Christian does not mean that they have to act or talk or look like the members of any one particular church or organization. They need to know that Jesus takes them as they are and offers a personalized life of discipleship.

The first exposure to personalized Bible reading and prayer is crucial for determining the vitality of this new life. We took a group of these surfers on a six-hour trip so that they could compete in a statewide surfing contest. We bought contemporary-looking paperback Bibles for each of them. Most of them had never had their own Bible, and they were stoked! Spontaneously, on their own, they gathered each evening to read together and to pray.

Groups of surfers studying the Bible together and holding each other accountable often provide the individualized attention that is needed to help them start walking with Jesus. But we do try to balance this personalized approach with traditional institutional approaches. We encourage the surfers to get involved in established churches and organizations where they can identify with and learn from the larger Body of Christ.

Counting the Cost

Jesus' gracious call to discipleship was accompanied by a demand to count its cost. He recognized that various securities in this life can be a substitute for allegiance to Him. The demand to count the cost meant exchanging the securities of this world for security in Him. For some this meant riches (Mt. 19:16-26), for others it meant attachment to family (Mt. 8:18-22; Lk. 14:25-27), for still others it meant feelings of nationalistic superiority (Lk. 10:25-37).

Surfers tend to be somewhat free spirited. They like to think of themselves as unhindered by normal restraints. Jesus' demand to count the cost sounds harsh in their ears. Yet we have found that their own commitment to surfing helps them understand Jesus' demand.

Counting the cost marks surfers' everyday lives. Surfing is one of the most difficult of all sports, requiring utmost commitment, training, and conditioning. Many people say that they would like to surf; many even try it for awhile; but the difficulty of the sport soon discourages most. While free-spirited surfers delight in the offer of discipleship, they readily understand the cost that is required for singlemindedly following Jesus.

Nothing is more despised by a true surfer than a "poser": a person who plays the role of surfer, but doesn't really surf. The challenge to count the cost of discipleship means the difference between posing as a disciple and living as one.

Becoming Like Jesus

Jesus declared that to be a disciple is to become like the master (Mt. 10:24-25; Lk. 6:40). Becoming like Jesus includes going out with the same message, ministry, and compassion (Mt. 10:5-8), practicing the same religious and social traditions (Mt. 12:1-8; Mk. 2:18-22), belonging to the same family of obedience (Mt. 12:46-49), exercising the same servanthood (Mt. 20:26-28; Mk. 10:42-45; Jn. 13:12-17), experiencing the same suffering (Mt. 10:16-25; Mk. 10:38-39). The true disciple knew Jesus so well and followed Him so closely that he or she would become like Him.

A practical way of helping these young people become like Jesus is to focus on the three marks of a disciple of Jesus which, in fact, are the central marks of Jesus' own life: abiding in the Word (Jn. 8:31-32), loving one another (Jn. 13:34-35), and bearing fruit (Jn. 15:8).

Abiding in Jesus' Word. True discipleship means abiding in Jesus' words as the truth for every area of life (cf. Jn. 8:31-32). This does not mean perpetual Bible study. Rather, it means knowing and living what Jesus says about life. Instead of listening to the world's values, disciples must listen to what Jesus says. This involves every area of life.

For example, self-image is extremely important to these young people. The world will tell them that they will only find personal fulfillment when they are the best surfers, when they have the right sponsors, when they win the world championship. But to abide in Jesus' words means to live with what He says about them: that God loves them and that they are His special creatures who will be fulfilled only when they are in right relationship with Him.

We must spend time comparing the words of the world with the words of Jesus, and then support these young people as they attempt to abide in Jesus' words.

Loving one another. True discipleship also means loving one another as Jesus loved His disciples (Jn. 13:34-35). Love isn't only for a special category of committed Christians. Love is a distinguishing mark of all disciples of Jesus, made possible because God's love has changed the believer's heart and because God provides an endless supply of love (cf. 1 Jn. 4:12-21).

Surfers have a natural bond because of their shared devotion to the sport. But jealousy, envy, and rivalry easily arise as a result of the competition and the huge egos that often develop from being in the spotlight. When commitment to each other is a higher priority than coming out on top in the surfing world, the love of Jesus stands out starkly.

I remember one such occasion vividly. Two of our young girls were getting ready to surf in the California state high school surfing championships. Although they would soon be competing with each other, they stood near the shore and prayed together. With that kind of commitment, personal ambition is placed in proper perspective.

Bearing fruit. Jesus also said that the true disciple will bear fruit. What is this fruit? The fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-26), new converts (Jn. 4:3-38; Jn. 15:16), righteousness and good works (Phil. 1:11; Col. 1:10). We have the chance to show these young people how to allow the Spirit of God to guide every area of their lives—to give them the opportunity to become like Jesus in their characteristics, their witness, and their outreach.

Just recently one of the young boys, now a senior in high school, was baptized in a local church. As he gave his testimony before the church, he emphasized that his baptism was his declaration to the world that he was walking with Jesus. The church has played a vital role in providing the necessary support, encouragement, and training so that he can demonstrate to the world that Jesus is real in his life.

Leading the Way into the World

It's one thing to declare that you're a Christian within the church or among other Christian friends. It's another thing to live that commitment out in the world. Living a Christ-centered life in the world often marks the distinction between institutionalism and discipleship.

Since these young surfers have very few models of how to do this, it is imperative that we go out there with them. That means surfing with them (there's not much difficulty persuading me to do that!), going to the contests with them, getting involved in the surfing organizations, and providing guidance, support, and comfort in times of temptation and trial. It means providing a model of how to live in the same world they live in. As we are salt and light, as we walk the narrow path, as we love and provide hope to the world, we become the living example for them to follow. We can say with Paul, "Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ" (1 Cor. 11:1).

Following Jesus' Path

Institutions come and go. Whether we are entrenched conservatives who cling to traditions, or whether we are flaming revolutionaries who are contending for a new way of experiencing discipleship, we must be intent upon following Jesus' way. The work of any church or parachurch organization must be directed toward getting people to be committed to Jesus first. We must develop followers of the Master, not adherents of a particular method.

Many of these young surfers have "rough edges": They don't look or act like those who have been raised in Christian circles. We have tried to involve them in a wide variety of churches and Christian groups, and we have watched many of them slowly drop out. This has broken V our hearts. Why has it happened? I think it is because the Christian institutions have lost interest in these kids, primarily because they are "different." They don't fit, they don't have much to offer.

One afternoon I had a long conversation with a young boy who had been virtually abandoned by his own family. He was finding it difficult to fit into traditional Christian circles. At the end of our talk he looked at me with tears in his eyes and he said, "Doc, my whole life was changed when I met your family. And no matter how little I look like I have, I've got Jesus now. And He's never going to leave me."

Throughout our lives we all will have opportunities to be involved in ministries designed to help others grow spiritually. As we do, we will be challenged as to the "right" way to grow. We must never let any ministry take the place of this simple truth: Our ministries are intended to make disciples of Jesus in His way.

While walking down the long, winding path to go surfing, some of the kids would run ahead and beat the rest of us into the water. Some would stand at the top of the trail and watch the surf for quite awhile, wondering if the waves were going to be good enough that day to make the long walk worthwhile. Others would fool around and get off the path, climbing up and down the cliffs where they weren't supposed to go. They were old enough to be responsible for themselves, but I would be concerned until I had them all down at the beach with me. I couldn't walk for them. I could only show them the way down the path.

Some of the kids have gotten off the path of discipleship since those days. Some are still standing at the top of the trail, not fully committed to walking with Jesus. Others have run on ahead and are experiencing fullness in their lives with Jesus. We continue to be concerned about them all, praying for them, waiting for them all to join us in the fellowship of Jesus. We can't live their lives for them. But we can keep on walking with Jesus down the path and show them the way.

On Your Own

Think about an individual or group that you are discipling or could disciple—new or young Christians in your church, workplace, or neighborhood, or your children. What should they be like when they are mature? In what ways do you want them to be like you? How would you want them to be different?

© Copyright 2005 Smalley Relationship Center. Used by permission.

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