Pull the String
When I was a little girl visiting the grocery store with my mother, she would occasionally let me pick a treat. I often chose Life Savers. Since I struggled to open these colorful candies, she would open them for me. One day, however, she took the roll in her hands, bent down to my preschool height, and showed me the little blue paper string attached to the shiny foil; “If you just pull this,” she said, “the end will come off and the candy will be right inside.” What a thrill! Not only did I get to eat all of these shimmering delicacies by myself, I could now open them without assistance! By teaching me the simple skill of pulling the string, my mom freed herself from the responsibility of always being there, and she gave me a newfound independence formerly unknown to me.
True Life Saver
In essence, that’s what our Goers are doing for the people in their places of ministry. By putting themselves in contexts where they can introduce their hearers to Jesus, they share the eternal value of the True Life Saver. Once these hearers understand the grace of God, they may desire our kids to walk alongside them as they learn what it means to be faith-full. This concentrated discipleship is appropriate (and necessary) for a time, but eventually our Goers must teach new believers to hide God’s word in their hearts (Psalm 119:11); to approach the throne of grace with confidence (Hebrews 4:16); and to believe that all things work together for good (Romans 8:28), among numerous other truths. If they neglect this important instruction, these “baby Christians” will never learn to “pull the string” themselves. Their spiritual growth will be stunted and they will be tempted to look to our kids when they should be looking at Jesus. Our Goers have a big job. Let’s pray for them.
Taste and See
The role of the missionary is not to save people. The role of the missionary is to introduce people to the One who saves. Our Goers are doing this everyday. They are teaching new brothers and sisters how to “pull the string” by showing them how to open the Bible themselves; to find all the shimmering delicacies within! They are pointing them to Jesus so they can share his yoke and learn from him; for he is “gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:29) They are calling their new friends to “taste and see that the Lord is good” (Psalm 34:8) and choosing to believe it themselves. They are savoring the only Life Saver. Let’s encourage them.
Spiritual Parents
Our Goers are spiritual parents in a sense. Like actual parents, they’ve had to learn new rhythms and routines to help them in this holy endeavor of growing the family of God. They are teaching and showing, pointing and calling their “children” to spiritual independence. They are equipping disciples with needed skills of discernment and intuition. They are offering “the life that is truly life (1 Timothy 6:19). What a treat!
Most importantly, they have been called to and are fulfilling God’s Great Commission, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20) Let’s rejoice with them!
Parents of Goers 