Hebrews 6:1 (ESV) Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God,

Elementary is defined as easily dealt with; straightforward and uncomplicated.

A doctor of theology stated to us that the nature of the human condition likes to make things complicated. Perhaps we believe that if we can make things complicated we are needed, valued and superior. There are mysteries within the bible and kingdom living. Those things were meant to sort out those who either do not have the Holy Spirit as a tutor, or have not learned to hear with those spiritual ears.

Foundational truths about our God are simple, straightforward and easily dealt with. The gospel is as simple as it gets. This is so that anyone who might come can come to believe on Jesus Christ. An invitation cloaked in mystery is not an invitation.

How it works and why it works is a step further in understanding and we have pastors and teachers to help us navigate those waters. No one is meant to drown. Some flounder but didn’t we all need to learn how to swim?

Here is the essential truth of elementary school; do your disciples understand the lessons? If they do not, make the lesson more elementary. Remove complexity, ambiguity and mystery from the lessons.

When you read the last paragraph was your first thought, “But I don’t have any disciples.”

Matthew 28:19 (ESV) 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,

We are told to make disciples. If your first instinct is to defend yourself by saying you are not an evangelist, a pastor or an apostle, allow me to refer you back to Matthew 28:16 where disciples were told to make disciples. Discipleship comes down to one simple issue, share what you have been taught.

Galatians 4:1-3 English Standard Version (ESV)

¹ I mean that the heir, as long as he is a child, is no different from a slave, though he is the owner of everything, ² but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by his father. ³ In the same way we also, when we were children, were enslaved to the elementary principles of the world.

In the same way. How important it that for use to grasp? We may have come to Christ at a ripe old age but in this Kingdom life, we are beginning all over again. We went through the playground yesterday and allow me to follow those thoughts with grammar school.

Grammar school is where we learn to talk. Kingdom living has its own language and definitions which do not necessarily align themselves with that of the world. Many accuse us of Christianese as if it were a foreign language and perhaps in practice it is just that. If we are going to learn what it means to live this abundant life in Christ we need to learn how to talk to one another.

Ephesians 4:15, 25 (ESV) ¹⁵ Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, ²⁵ Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.

Speaking the truth in love requires two primary elements, to know truth and know how to love. Note in verse 15 where it says we are to grow up in every way. Grammar school is where we get to learn the truth and how to speak. This is where we get to practice the lessons of agape love. Agape love is perfect and we are not. It takes practice.