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Discipleship is more than just meeting together with others. It is when God uses Christians to multiply His image and teaches them to do something beyond what they can do themselves. This takes a great commitment from someone who will make disciples, yet from Jesus’ example it is something that doesn’t come from perfect people. In the discipleship relationship, there are many roles that emerge. There can be accountability, teaching, empathy, fellowship, serving, prayer, and working on character. All of these are part of discipleship, but the essence is much more.
Payable Upon Life Unlike the popular saying “payable on death”, discipleship requires a cost that is payable now, while we live. It requires real change and a desire to become like Christ. Otherwise what would be the point? The cost of discipleship is more than can be measured in one life and likewise the result is beyond our imagination. There is a true concept that shows what the cost of discipleship is. If you are willing to give your life for your disciples and live with a mission to further the kingdom through them, then you will most likely see the return through the lives that will be reached by those people. If you don’t truly commit to the people you are called to disciple, then you might not see anything. eValue-ation Discipleship is a commitment to constant evaluation of yourself and others. This is a comparison of yourself and others but a look into your heart to see what you truly value and what you should value. They should be the same, but often they aren’t. Good growth always comes from a realization of what could be and a boldness to strive for what could be over what is. This is the time to set God sized goals and also resign yourself to the fact that God can bring it about. We can’t change ourselves, but God can, Having said that, it doesn’t happen without us either. That is why a relationship with God is necessary. Word The evaluation process is pointless without a source of truth that shows us what to value. The word is a mirror to show us ourselves and what God sees in us. It’s no wonder why some people don’t enjoy reading the Bible. I don’t want to look in the mirror often either, but for discipleship, it is essential. Many people confuse discipleship with correction. Good discipleship points people to God and not their faults. The Spirit can convict well enough without us adding to it. In all aspects of discipleship, there should be a rich presence of what God says. Speak It would be impossible to have any kind of real relationship with someone without two-way communication. The thought of even trying is ludicrous, yet many try to do exactly that with God. They read and search the Bible for answers to their questions and never really ask God. Or they ask continually and never listen. Prayer is the link to God’s perspective and a resource that changes us at times more than any other discipline. Investment Scripture of the talents: some invested and made a return, but one hid the money. What builds you up as a Christian? Look for others who are built up in the same ways. |
