Discipleship and Campbell's Soup

Campbell’s Soup is one of the most recognizable brands of Americana. To many Campbell’s represents comfort food. Now more than 100 years later Campbell’s Soup remains a staple product used in millions of homes worldwide.

The success of Campbell’s rests on one simple idea, eliminating the water in the soup. This allowed the product to have a longer shelf life which can be packed, shipped and stored at a very nominal cost.

More significantly it allowed people to enjoy farm produce that may not be in season to be enjoyed any time of the year right in the convenience of their homes wherever that may be.

We can learn some discipleship lessons from Campbell’s Soup. It is true that discipleship is relationship. As such there is no one pattern or formula which we can use to reach out and disciple others. After all every person and situation is unique.

While that is true there are ingredients in discipleship that can be canned so it can be enjoyed by anyone, anywhere, anytime. This is the reason why I highly recommend the use of Bible teaching materials that have been designed to be used and reused. These materials enable us to provide the necessary ingredients that have been prepared by someone else so we can offer it to those we are trying to reach out to.

Like Campbell’s Soup we can carry these materials and open them up when the situation requires it. Like canned soup we can add the amount of water that best suits those whom we are feeding.

Also, like Campbell’s Soup these materials allow us to duplicate the discipleship process over and over again with the same quality and nutritional value anytime, anywhere to anyone.

What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you-guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us. 2 Timothy 1:13-14

So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter. 2Thessalonians 2:15

See also: Prayer and Boracay