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| Mrs. T.O. Oludare |
By Boluwatife Oparinde
Wife of the Superintendent, Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) Yaba DCC, Pastor SEA Oludare, Mrs T. O. Oludare has harped on the need for every believer, family, church and society at large to be properly discipled.
Speaking on "Discipleship: the Process for a Glorious Christian Home" on Wednesday, July 21, 2022 at the 2022 Academic Summit of the Christ Apostolic Church Youth Fellowship (CACYOF) held at Joseph Ayo Babalola University (JABU), Ikeji-Arakeji, Osun State, Mrs. Oludare described that, "discipleship is no longer a common phenomenon in Christendom today. We have numerous immature people in the body of Christ. Believers of nowadays after conversion care less about their growth in the knowledge of Christ. Hence the reason for the rise in cases of broken homes, infidelity, extra marital affairs, separation, divorce to mention but a few in our society. It is therefore necessary for every believer, family, church and society at large to be properly discipled so as to have access to a better and glorious Christian home that Christ desires for us."
Mrs Oludare, also the Secretary, Ministers' Wives Fellowship, Akinyele Region, who defined discipleship as "walking together in the way of Christ, learning to die, learning how to leave who you were and learning who you are now, learning to follow Jesus. To become his disciple means walking alongside someone further in the Christian faith for a significant period" described a Christian home as "not just a home where everyone is a Christian, but much more it is a Christ-like home."
She furthered that a Christian home is, "a place whereby all the families dedicate their life to God. It is a home where the perfect standard of the life of Christ is in place. A home where sacrificial love exists. A home to radiate the love of Christ, accommodate strangers and show hospitality to everyone. The people involved love and honor Christ with their lives. They share their faith with everyone else who inhabits the home not minding how long they will stay with them."
The founder of the NGO, Women Initiative Network, CAC Yaba, listed the characteristics of a properly discipled family as the Fear of God, Love, being Hospitabile, being Compassionate, Humility, Patience, Gentleness, Forgiveness, Peaceful, Reader of God's word.
According to her, other Characteristics are, "Generosity, Courageous, Respectful, Forbearance, Hopeful, Endurance, Wisdom, Service."
The health coach identified some examples of Christian homes in the Bible such as, the Family of Mary and Martha (Lk 10:38-42) who received Jesus into their home, were hospitable, gave Jesus a first class treatment and recognized Him as their Lord, observed their quiet time by listening to the words of Jesus, heard the words of Jesus alongside with them, and took their problems to Jesus; the Family of Evangelist Phillip (Acts 21:8&9) who was a minster of the gospel, an Evangelist by calling, was also one of Paul's companions, accommodated the Apostles, had four daughters who were virgins and all prophesied.
She continued with the Family of Aquila and Priscilla, who according to her were, a perfect couple who were not in competition but in collaborative and support work, were given to hospitality as Paul benefitted from their benevolence, were Paul's fellow workers in Christ, were disciplers and good mentors to Apollos, had a church inside their house, risked their lives to save Paul, were tent makers who had something doing.
The CEO of Lehem Foods and Assistant Secretary, CAC Ministers' Wives Fellowship, who shared the captivating story of how she met her husband, concluded that, "the misbehavior we see today is caused by people who have not been properly discipled. The fact that a man attended a Theological Seminary does not mean he is a disciple. There are some Pastors and Elders in our churches today who still beat their wives simply because they have not undergone the school of discipleship, hence they cannot caution themselves when an ugly situation arises. It is my sincere prayer that believers of today will be humble enough to learn at the feet of Christ and be what God intends them to be and also for all Christian homes to radiate joy, unity, peace, and other good virtues as stated in the scriptures in Jesus mighty name."