Dan Jensen
Professor of Engineering Mechanics
U.S. Air Force Academy
[Oct 21, 2012]
This morning I was extremely busy. A student in my current discipleship group unexpectedly stopped by my office. I almost told him that I couldn’t talk right now. Fortunately, the Spirit reminded me that my life is about making disciples.
I dropped what I was doing and we chatted for about 45 minutes. I really like this guy. He’s talented, honest and really struggling with how to make God the top priority in his life. We talked about his desire to live in accordance with his priorities. We talked about the struggles he is having making time in the midst of his studies for a consistent devotional life. He left with a plan (training) and with renewed motivation for walking with Jesus.
I believe that God has called me to be a professor. He has given me the incredible privilege of teaching hundreds of students in my engineering classes and working on cutting edge research. When I look back from the standpoint of eternity, however, I won’t be surprised if this morning’s conversation will be far more important than the academic work I’d planned for that time. Such “interruptions” may indeed be more important than all my teaching and research. I was reminded again of this verse:
“And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.” 2 Timothy 2:2
Years ago, this verse gripped my heart and has driven many of my life decisions. I’m convinced that the largest impact I will have in this world, other than through my wife and kids, will be through my disciples (and their disciples and the spiritual generations that follow them).
The message of II Timothy 2:2 has been life changing. It has helped me listen to God’s Spirit when he “interrupts” my plans.
1st: Let me encourage you to study 2 Timothy 2:1-7 afresh. Unpack it again with other faculty or students you are investing in. Remind one another of the geometric power of multiplication inherent in it. Count together the possible generations: Paul, Timothy, teachable men and women, others, me, my disciples, their disciples….
2nd: As you invest in teaching others, help your disciples get started as well—maybe by leading a Bible study or by helping them share their faith with pre-Christian friends. If you haven’t done so, begin by studying together Robert Coleman’s classic, The Master Plan of Evangelism.
I’ve found that the bottom line for me is this–when a person becomes convinced (or gets interrupted by the vision) of making disciples who make other disciples, their lives are changed forever. Mine certainly was.
(c) 2012 Dan Jensen