Discipleship

Who are you a disciple of? Is it some great teacher, or someone who has had a great impact for the better on your life? Or perhaps it is some philosophy or idea that you are loyal to. We live by ideas. The influences on our lives can be complex to examine. Socrates said that “the unexamined life is not worth living.” “Socrates believed that without examining our beliefs and actions, we are essentially sleepwalking through life, unable to distinguish between right and wrong, and lacking purpose.”

The examined life is sharply different from today’s approach to life. People today largely don’t want to examine life; they just want to squeeze as much enjoyment out of life without considering the hard truths. However, as the old TV show used to say, it is much better to get “Just the facts, ma'am.”

The most basic meaning of being a disciple is to be a learner. It means to be a learner of truth. Truth is all about reality. It is living fully in reality rather than in a lie or an illusion adapted to our preferences. Faith is based on the truth.

A Christian is a disciple of Jesus. Jesus said, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). He is the way to a fulfilled life, and he is that way; he is the truth that a good life is based on, and he is the basis of truth, and he is the life. He gives abundant life here and eternal life to come. There is no other way. Jesus also said, “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32). Free from what? Free from sin, from futility, from emptiness, from brokenness, from bitterness, from unforgiveness and hate, etc.

To be a disciple of Jesus is to be and do what he said. We are to be Christlike. Our character is to be changed to be like his. Our personality remains the same, but our character is transformed in Christ. This is progressive after conversion. We enter the kingdom of God when we are born again (John 3:3) and then we learn to live in the kingdom, which also means to live in the spirit. (Romans 8) Of course it also means to learn the truth as God instructs us in the Word of God and to practice those percepts and principles. This takes discipline and diligence. It is not enough just to have the desire; we must also commit.

Too many churches are making church members or attenders, but not disciples of Jesus. Discipleship must be taught and lived out. It requires teaching and actually doing discipleship. It means bringing the gospel to the world and sharing the truth in love.(Ephesians 4:15) It means becoming Christlike. However, if the church doesn’t know the process or cannot explain it, it most of the time will not happen.

Sometimes we think that discipleship, like some think about evangelism it just happens by Osmosis. We can just trust them to God with no assistance and support. However, Jesus told us to go and make disciples. (Matthew 28:19-20) In other places, he stresses our part in compelling them with truth and love to walk with Jesus.

In our street ministry, I encounter many Christians who don’t even know the basics. Many of them have no assurance of their eternal destiny. They have not put on the helmet of Salvation, as it states in Ephesians 6:17. How are they then going to learn to walk in God’s grace?

Where are the discipleship classes in churches, especially for new Christians and those who would also disciple others? Where are the authentic groups that may be for those who are struggling with issues like anger, lust, and bitterness, etc.? Where are the teaching classes on books of the Bible, issues in life, or putting it all together theologically and in spiritual formation?

Not everything can be done on Sunday morning and the pastor is not the only one gifted in teaching and preaching. His view is not ex cathedra. That is, he is not the Pope, although he should be respected. As Protestants, we believe in the priesthood of the believer. (1 Peter 2:9) Let us release the people for ministry by equipping them and recognizing and using their gifts the way God wants to use them, not the way we want to use them.

Many Christians only have time for him on Sunday mornings, and do we think as a church, we are going to assist them to walk with Jesus one hour a week? As well, if God’s people are not encouraged and taught to do evangelism, then they are missing the main teaching of Jesus and the gospel life. Dallas Willard states, "Upon occasion, we exhort Christians to 'take Christ into the workplace' or 'bring Christ into the home.' But doesn't this only point to the deadly assumption that Christians normally leave Christ in the church?" The Spirit of the Disciplines, p. 28, Dallas Willard. It is like saying, See you next week, Lord.

Jesus calls us to make disciples of him to actually practise what he said. (Matthew 28:19-20). That is, we are to be like him and do what he did, and as he directed us to do and be. Too many churches are busy with events and entertainment and miss the main point of actually making disciples. (Matthew 11:17) Let’s be true to Jesus rather than the whims of people. If there are just a few willing to be disciples, let’s start with them. Jesus started with 12 disciples.

Will you commit to being a disciple of Jesus? Will you apprentice with him in the Word of God, prayer, transformation, evangelism, in fellowship with other Christians, and disciple others? As the scripture says, “Iron sharpens iron” (Proverbs 27:17). Let us walk in the new life in Jesus, not the old life of selfishness and ease. Let us truly be his disciples.

Resources

Renovation of the Heart, Dallas Willard.

Spirit of the Disciples, Dallas Willard.

The Celebration of Discipline, Richard Foster.

The Master Plan of Evangelism, Robert Coleman.

Right With God: The Basics, Alan J. Niebergal.

Enjoying God: Prayer and Spiritual Formation, Alan J. Niebergal