Page 19 - Principles for Discipling Others-Student textbook

“THE WHEEL” Illustration

Every “WHEEL” has three parts….a central “HUB”, SPOKES, and a RIM.
In this illustration, when a person receives Christ as his or her personal Savior,
Christ comes into that person’s life and immediately seeks to become the center
of that life.

Overview of the Wheel Illustration

The illustration of the Wheel is clearly brought out by considering (1) The Wheel itself, (2) the Hub, and
then (3), (4), (5) and (6) each of the four spokes individually.

The Wheel represents the Christian. With its component parts in place, it represents the Christian living
the life. The very heart of a wheel in action is the hub, which furnishes the driving power as well as being
the point upon which all the weight of the wheel is centered. Christ is the Hub for the Christian.

The “foundation spoke” represents the Word, which does the all-important work of supplying us with
spiritual food; giving us offensive and defensive weapons against our enemy, Satan; giving light for our
daily paths, etc. The “Word” (the Bible) is Christ’s or God’s chief means of contact with us.

Opposite this is the spoke representing Prayer, the vital means by which we are kept in touch with Him,
and through which we are supplied power and provision. It is through the exercise of prayer that we
prove our utter dependence upon and trust in the Lord. These two spokes are “intake spokes”.

The other two spokes are “outlet spokes.” These are a normal result of the former two which are the
“intake spokes” and are forcefully brought out through the illustration of the Wheel.

The first of the “outlet spokes” is Obedience, complete and immediate. Without this there can be no
real life, no outlet for the power of God. We must be in complete and loving subjection to our wonderful
Lord. The other is Witnessing.

The above three items prepare us for another tremendously important phase of our lives, that of
passing on to others all that God has to this point given to us. This is accomplished through Witnessing…
testifying of, and declaring the Gospel, His power, promises and provision. This is also an “outlet spoke.”

The Hub: The Christ-Centered Life

When a person comes to the point of decision and invites Christ into his or her life, Christ should
become the center of his/her life and that person should strive to follow His leadership.

“Christ-Control” vs. “Self-Control”

One of the first things the new Christian notices after receiving Christ as Savior is a sense of relief and of
security. The relief comes due to the knowledge that sins have been forgiven and guilt has been
removed. There is “peace” in the soul…freedom from feeling the total responsibility for decision-making
being entirely upon your shoulders. This is not just a pseudo-relief but is real because Christ now sits at
the center of one’s life and helps give guidance and direction to life. If only Christ could always stay

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