January 28th, 2016

Discipleship, What is it and why is it important in the life of a Christian?
People all over the world have heard of Jesus and His Disciples.  Those that have not heard directly from another Christian may have seen it through commercial media and other means. A Disciple in Christian terms is a follower of Christ but it actually goes deeper than that. A Disciple of Christ is one that not only follows Christ, but knows Scripture, follows the Truth in Scripture, and understands the vision of Discipleship.
Since Discipleship is a very extensive subject this is just a brief overview with insights to assist in why we do what we do.
The Disciples of Christ lived, breathed, and loved the Master. Some non-Christians and un-churched call it blind devotion to a human but we know better. As Christians we desire to be like Christ so a Disciple is one who eats, drinks, breaths, reads, hears, and understand Scripture in order to have a deeper relationship with Christ. Relationships are very important to life and to have such a close understanding of Jesus through His Word can lead to deeper faith and relationship with Him.
The first thing we need to look at for our needs is the Great Commission (GC). The GC from Matthew 28:18-20 is Christ’s Human Resource assignment to find and bring others to know Him. In the passage, Jesus gives us a command and three instructions to accomplish the command. Jesus tells us to make Disciples in such that wherever you go, you are to baptize (witness), and teach (equip for witnessing to others keeping the circle going).
SO HOW??
                Two different models are shown in Scripture. Of course the Jesus model is where the teacher-student relationship grew to a more intimate close family relationship in order for the Disciples to understand the Truth and the Life on a more personal level. Jesus poured His life into the Disciples. Because of this, the Twelve were able to accomplish many things and stand firm in their faith when facing those with evil intentions.
                The second model is the model brought forth by Paul. Without Jesus in the flesh, the teaching fell onto the Disciples and the first Jesus called after Ascension, Paul.   The Book of Romans digs extremely deep in creating and maintaining a deep relationship in Christ. There were men and women mentored by Paul. One such person, Timothy, experienced what the Disciples did but on a smaller scale.  Paul even commissions Timothy in saying, “And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others (2 Timothy2:2)”.
If we were to break things down into a ministry model, the following can be determined about Discipleship; Discipleship is: Pouring into others, training them in Word, Relationship, and Ministry, in order so they might develop as healthy believers who walk by, share, and multiply their faith.
                Training them in Scripture, Relationship, and Ministry (service), are three pieces of the puzzle to accomplish the Great Commission.
How many times in Scripture does God command us to KEEP HIS WORD well, a lot? How do we keep it, He tells Joshua to “Meditate on it daily…Keep it on your lips…design it in your heart.” In other words, know, live it, love it for “Blessed are those who hear the Word of God and obey it (Luke 11:28)”.
Building a relationship with Christ helps us build relationship with others Christian or not. Jesus associated Himself with His Disciples before He began truly giving them the understanding and knowledge needed for active ministry. This requires deliberate commitment between individuals and others. It also requires consistent meetings with purposeful intent of training and fellowship (we cannot just learn, gotta be relational too). In doing these we become more a family; vulnerable, accountable, and authentic, with each other.
Learn by example to conduct proper ministry.  In other words there is more to teaching ministry than just talking about it, the teacher must be an example for others to follow. Service projects engage all persons in the circle of Disciples. “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do (Eph 2:10)”. During the projects, it opens people up to witnessing (and evangelize) to others. Sharing personal Christ experiences with others is exactly what Jesus was talking about. This may lead to the “mustard seed” being planted and a desire of the heart to learn and grow closer to Christ themselves.
Engaging in ministry (Disciple others) is not just an event, it is a lifestyle.
 
Next time we will discuss why we Disciple