What is the first thing that springs to your mind when you hear the word, “Discipleship”?
Is it a process that comes to mind or a program in the Church? Is it something formal with steps to take and a format to follow? Or, is it something more, a journey that we embark together with another person or with other people?
What could Church begin to look like if we all began to see ourselves differently as disciples making disciples?
‘Discipleship’ is a word that we are well familiar with as Christians, but I wonder if it is as well understood and practised as it is known. It seems like the Church today is busy with all kinds of important tasks but not as busy at the task of Discipleship. What does Discipleship look like in your church and in your life? Discipleship, according to the Bible, is our most important duty and that of the church, the Main Thing, making Disciples!
In Matthew 28:18-20 Jesus lays it out for us, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.”
In 2Timothy 2:2 Paul continues this thought urging Timothy (and you and I), “…what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses ,entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” This is Discipleship!
A Quick Story. A young Mennonite woman visited our church. It took her a while to work up the courage to step through our doors. She was terrified of how we would see her, treat her, and judge her, but she knew something was missing from her life and maybe she would find it here. She was startled at the response and the welcome she received. People greeted her in such a warm and friendly manner and made her feel a part of the family, not an outsider. No-one judged her or looked down on her. She was at home here.
She became a member of our church and served on the hospitality committee. Her favourite activity was the mom’s group, which she eventually became a leader of. She was a great evangelist; she would welcome people to church with a hug and invite them to join in the fellowship time afterwards. One day I stopped her and asked how things were going, commenting on how friendly and welcoming she was. She responded, “Pastor, I was made to feel that way when I first came here, and I want other visitors to feel the same”.
Discipleship is about living a life that is so beautiful, compelling, so like Jesus that others want to be a part of it too. More importantly they want to pass it on to others. Intentional Discipleship living!
So how do we make Discipleship the Main Thing in our District?
I want to invite you on this exciting journey of creating a culture of Discipleship; becoming a Disciple and a Disciple-maker in our District. It begins with your heart and following Jesus’ example seen in Philippians 2. A Disciple displays the characteristics of vulnerability, humility,, self-sacrifice, and teachability. Is this you?
Secondly, start or connect with a small group of like-minded and like-hearted people. Meet regularly in this safe place and discuss your trials and struggles as well as your victories and spiritual growth together. Most importantly seek to listen for the Holy Spirit together to sense where and how He is leading you. We can help you create a small group and get going with this.
Thirdly, model what Discipleship looks like for your church and the people around you. Invite others into a small group. Model listening together, humility, vulnerability, and teachability. Invite others onto this Discipleship journey with you.
It’s that easy. If we each make a decision to become Disciples and Disciple-makers imagine what the Church could begin to look like. The things that divide us now and are points of contention will no longer seem that important in light of our shared journey of following and imitating Jesus.
Steve Sharpe and Josh Lok are spearheading this venture across the country with our Districts. If you need more information on what this looks like or creating a Discipleship culture in your church or with people you know, drop them an email.
