A modern term for discipleship or spiritual mentoring would be “kingdom hanging out”.

When you hangout, there is a much deeper communication of friend to friend, through the eyes, than can possibly be experienced through the ears in a church service. Everyone learns by seeing an example, the example you set in a church service is unintentionally phony at best. You talk, sit, dress, and act different, even though you are unaware of it. New believers who have only observed you within the four walls of a church building, must overcome the shock of seeing the real you, when they hang out with you, in a relaxed, unguarded, everyday setting.

There are two reasons very little discipleship takes place in the western church. Firstly, because the lifestyle of most believers, is too carnal, to teach kingdom living. Secondly, the carnal mind has no interest in the spiritual growth someone else, because “the carnal mind is an enemy of Mine: for it is not subject to My laws, and it never will be” Romans 8:7. “Let’s face facts, after 3 years believers ought to be teachers, but sadly there is a need for someone to teach them even the very basic principles of salvation again. Most male believers can name 20 sports heroes, off the top of their head, but cannot come up with the names of 10 kingdom bible heroes. Their spiritual intellect says, they can only digest the milk of My word, and not digest the strong meat required to be living examples” Hebrews 5:12.

The true discipler is one who knows My word, lives My word, and willingly invites new believers to hang out with them. Paul was a true mentor, because his motto was, “just hang out with me and do what I do, just as I follow Christ” 1 Corinthians 11:1. Loners do not make disciples, thus even many bible scholars fail to make disciples. Many times in their sincere studies of My word they isolate themselves.

Caution: In your many hours of study, be sure your living out what you’ve studied. You will never be able to say, you have mastered something, unless you are able to teach someone else by your example, through hanging out, kingdom style. Lately, have you heard anyone say, “I am following you, because I see Christ in you?” If not, something is wrong with your walk.

“Every believer should be hanging out and be an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity” 1 Timothy 4:12.

~ Jim Hammerle

Jim Hammerle (1941-2017) began ministry working with David Wilkerson and Nicky Cruz, founding Teen Challenge Philadelphia. 6 times in the mission field pastoring a mission ship, 15 years with tv and radio, teaching, and preaching.  As a retired businessman, Jim helped to feed widows and orphans in Uganda, helping Muslims find the Jesus who fed them. He became His banker and was privileged to give His money away, wherever He decided, so he also helping to build an orphanage in Haiti and investing in lives in the USA. Totally in love with his Lord, at age 73 he served in ministry at Victory Christian Church and lived every hour listening for his Heavenly Father’s voice.  Jim passed away on May 23, 2017 to be with the LORD.