Discipleship – Teaching Then Doing, or Teaching While Doing?

Most modern-day discipleship follows the pattern of teaching then doing.  Jesus pattern seemed to be teaching while doing.  Does the difference between these two necessitate a change for the church?  There an old adage that goes like this:

 

1.  I teach, you watch.

2. I teach, you help.

3. You do, I help.

4. You do, I watch.

To those, and because we’re talking about discipleship (the making of disciples who make disciples) I’ll add a 5th

5.  You teach.

Across the world today Pastors will preach from pulpits and teach on many subjects with applications to be carried into “normal” life throughout the week until the next set of instructions may be given.  Again, does this pattern necessitate a change for the church if we’re going to take discipleship seriously?

Finally, and to complicate matters further, what if teaching was doing?  

 
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