The topic of discipleship in the church can be a “hot potato” topic at times. It’s one of my “soapbox” topics that I really like to discuss. Recently, while thinking about what to write for a devotional everything I read or listened to was about being a disciple of Jesus Christ. Three quotes that really grabbed me in my YouVersion devotional are: I looked deeper to find out what the word disciple really means. In the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, these are the synonyms given for the word disciple: What does the Bible say? See Luke 9:23:
Being a Disciple of Jesus Christ
“And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.”
In the NLT, Luke 9:23 the first sentence emphasizes surrender. It reads as “Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way…” Emphasis added. See also Mark 8:34 and John 13:35:
- Mark 8:34: “And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.”
- John 13:35: “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”
One more Scripture passage challenging us to surrender our ideas comes near the end of Luke 9. It’s familiar, but this time as you read, think in terms of being determined to being a disciple of Jesus Christ and bring others into true discipleship. See Luke 9:57-61 below.
- Luke 9:57-61: “And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God. And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house.”
How does one become a disciple? How did Jesus make disciples? Jesus discipled through relationships. In a video that I watched a few years ago Pastor Bryan Stiverson said the following:
- Know God: You first must be in a relationship with God to have a relationship with His people.
- Find community: Jesus primarily ministered to the 12 disciples; and fellowship with other believers during the week (men’s or women’s groups, for example).
- Make disciples: The disciples made other disciples. Study the bible together.
- Live sent: After being a disciple of Jesus Christ and trained, the Lord sent them out to minister.
Why is discipleship such a big deal? One reason is if there’s no discipleship that leads to the fact that there’s no fruit. I am frequently drawn to John 15:1-16, especially verse 16 which says: “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.” Emphasis added.
“You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.” Emphasis added.
I close with these questions:
Are you a true disciple? If not, why not?
Are you duplicating yourself in people or Jesus Christ?
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