Hebrews 5:12-13

“For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child.“

Being an educator for the Hawaii Department of Education was very satisfying. It was a joy teaching young teenage men and ladies how to reach their full potential as they learned about science and hopefully, a little about having a good character. Character education is truly the most important; but sadly, character education is most neglected at home, especially when parents themselves need to be taught the significance of being a good role model for their children.

One day last spring here on my farm, while tending to the animals, a chore I truly love because I get to play and interact with them, I heard faint chirping sounds of small, baby ducklings. What a blessing! Newly hatched, baby ducks! But I had to find them quickly. I learned from my mistake the year before as I was standing and watching a newborn duckling walk in front of his mother. When all of a sudden, as quickly as a mango hits the ground when falling off a branch, the baby duckling was gone. A nasty, old mongoose ran out from under a woodpile and swooped up the duckling, carried her off, and the duckling was gone. I was stunned and grew fiercely angry. Oh, how I absolutely hate those good-for-nothing mongooses!

Well, lesson learned and now I am prepared. The animal shed where I store the feed is all fixed up to house and raise newborn ducklings until they are old enough to be on their own. So, one by one, I chased a duckling until I was able to trap it and grab it. Those little guys do run fast. As soon as I caught one, I took it to the shed and safely placed the duckling where the mongoose can’t get it. Fortunately, I was able to catch all five ducklings and did not lose one. Two times every day, morning and evening, I go take care of my little guys. I cut and give them fresh straw, clean feed, and plenty of fresh water to play in and drink. They lack nothing and eventually they’re not afraid of me. Some months later, the ducklings are big enough to let loose and they all quickly assimilate with the others.

Life is great living in the country. Everything is not just a routine. Lessons are learned and you grow; hoping to not make the same mistake again. I have learned that having newly hatched ducklings is not enough, you must provide and take care of them so they can live and grow.

For Christians, it’s important to share the gospel. Proverbs 11:30 says, “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and whoever captures souls is wise.” The King James Version says, “…he that winneth souls is wise.” Eulanda and I have always been active in sharing our faith. At Belleview Baptist Church, we were members of the Evangelism Explosion team that learned how to share the gospel and then practice by going out to homes, visiting friends and first-time visitors, and even talking to strangers at the nearby shopping mall.

Christ’s last command to his disciples in Matthew 28:18-20 is what we call the Great Commission. It says, “¹⁸ And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹ Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Yes, we are to go make disciples. Thinking about this, it’s very similar to lessons I have learned on my farm. Having newly hatched ducklings is great and exciting. but if the mongoose is going to come, kill, and destroy the duckling, all is in vain. No, we must make disciples, not just new converts. Newly born again Christians need nurturing and discipleship from us. As Christians in the church, we are to go out and disciple them so they can learn how to not stand in their own strength but depend totally on God. To emphasize the importance, we, as believers, have the responsibility to protect and nurture our own. The enemy is like a lion seeking whom he may devour. The enemy is like a thief, who comes, kills, and destroys. Our job, with our gifts and talents in the church, is to be active in making disciples, equipping them to grow and become mature in the faith.

Christians are to be soul winners and disciple-makers. They go hand in hand. Harper G. Smith wrote this Christian hymn called, ‘A Channel of Blessing,’ in 1903, which is very meaningful in our walk as soul winners for Christ. But, as we go, make disciples!

1. Is your life a channel of blessing?
   Is the love of God flowing through you?
   Are you telling the lost of the Savior?
   Are you ready His service to do?
   • Refrain:
     Make me a channel of blessing today,
     Make me a channel of blessing, I pray;
     My life possessing, my service blessing,
     Make me a channel of blessing today.
2. Is your life a channel of blessing?
   Are you burdened for those that are lost?
   Have you urged upon those who are straying
   The Savior Who died on the cross?
3. Is your life a channel of blessing?
   Is it a daily telling for Him?
   Have you spoken the Word of salvation
   To those who are dying in sin?
4. We cannot be channels of blessing
   If our lives are not free from known sin;
   We will barriers be and a hindrance
   To those we are trying to win.