discipleship
by abby Ralph
What is true discipleship? Discipleship today is overcomplicated by the American church. But in reality, it’s something very simple that we are all called as believers in Christ to do. We are to be disciples and make disciples!
Matthew 28:19-20 says, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” We are called to make disciples – not just people who believe in Christ, but who follow Him in obedience.
When making disciples, we are to reflect Christ in everything we do. We are the earthly example of Christ to that person standing in front of us. We can lead them to Christ with humility, joy and understanding while also being bold and honest! Christ was all of these things.
Discipleship is all about relationships – Christ discipled through close, personal relationships. He has 12 disciples who were at the core of His ministry who then spread His message to others. He did life with them – they traveled together, ate together, prayed together. It was not an added burden because Christ was already doing all of these things! He calls us to do life with others in community. This is where discipleship doesn’t have to be complicated – discipleship is doing life with others. It’s getting coffee with them, having them over for dinner, and exemplifying Christ through it all.
When we live in community that is based on discipleship, it gives us both accountability and encouragement. We all need to hold each other accountable in our walk with Christ. James 5:16 says, “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” So, when we are honest with fellow believers and allow them to keep us accountable, we are allowing for healing to take place in our lives. We also need encouragement! 1 Thessalonians 5:11 says, “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” We can encourage each other in good times and in bad to continue following Christ.
We also get to experience multi-generational wisdom in discipleship. I believe this is a key point we often miss in the church today. We are often separated at church by age group – in Sunday school, in community group, or even by worship service. We were not created to live separately from older or younger believers. Older believers have wisdom and life experience to share with the next generation, and younger believers can be a source of energy and encouragement to older believers. We were created to live in community as the entire Body of Christ – not be separated by age.
Take time this week to think about who you are being discipled by and who you can disciple. The church only thrives when we are willing to use our time and resources on our fellow believers. We all have something to learn, and we all have something to teach. Let’s live in Christ-centered community!