PS 78:6-7 so the next generation would know them,
even the children yet to be born,
and they in turn would tell their children.
Then they would put their trust in God
and would not forget his deeds
but would keep his commands.

Generational instruction is stressed throughout the OT, and in the NT that is broadened to spiritual generations. Any level of insight or understanding is relatively insignificant if it is not passed on in some way to others. This is essentially what the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20) is all about. The disciples present at the time, and particularly the 11 apostles, knew Jesus personally and were deeply committed to Him. However, they would certainly never have changed the world if that knowledge and commitment had stopped with them. Luke made it clear in Acts 1:8 that the Holy Spirit was poured out at Pentecost to enable people as disciple makers, though Jesus used the word “witnesses” at that time. Christians who fail to communicate their faith in some way to others have missed the point of their salvation, and it would be hard to call them disciples. That’s not to say that everyone is gifted as an evangelist, but it is to say that everyone is to be a witness. Again, that’s not to say that everyone’s to be a preacher, or even a talker in particular, but it is to say that our lives are to so reflect our faith in Christ that people ask us about it, and we must be prepared to tell them (1 Peter 3:15).

This is something I have been trying to get across to the believers for years, and the current series on discipleship is a continuation of that. Japanese society considers faith a deeply private matter, which makes personal evangelism more difficult, but certainly not impossible. I need to help the believers understand and trust that the Holy Spirit is provided to enable them to do this thing that they consider so difficult. I am at the double remove of being a “professional Christian,” on top of being non-Japanese, so they have trouble seeing my example as applying to them. However, the power of the Holy Spirit applies as much to me as to them, so I must not give up, but keep growing in availability to the Holy Spirit in opening their eyes and giving them understanding.

Father, I didn’t do a perfect job in communicating faith even to my physical children, though they are saved. I have no high ground from which to look down on anyone on this issue. Help me be faithful to speak the truth in love to believers and non-believers alike, letting them know of all You have done for them in Christ and training them to apply it in their daily lives, making disciples for You indeed, for the salvation of many and for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!