What is Discipleship?
It's a term we know. It's a command that we have been given. But what really is discipleship and why might you feel hesitant to take part in it? These are questions that you might be wrestling with as we are starting this new series so I thought I would address them in this newsletter to help set your mind at ease.
The command
that we have to go and make disciples comes from Matthew 28:19. The Greek word for disciple is matheteuo and the root of this word means "to learn." Coupled with this in verse 20 is the command to instruct. Through this we can see that discipleship is a relationship in which one is learning and one is instructing. The content of the material for the Christian is to be all that Jesus has commanded.
In understanding this, within our context
discipleship relationships are those intentional relationships in which those involved are intentionally working on growing in Christ as learning and instruction takes place. The specified purpose of these relationships is to help those involved grow in their Christlikeness.
When does Discipleship take place?
Knowing that discipleship is to be a relationship many of us run to thinking that discipleship happens at the one on one level. While
this is true this is only partly true. Discipleship happens anywhere that teaching and learning take place. By this it should take place within the context of a small group and congregational services. In fact we should expect discipleship to take place at all these levels knowing that these are to help us grow in Christlikeness.
So while discipleship ought to take place during your regular one on one meeting, you should also expect to be discipled when you show up
Sunday morning. You should also expect to be discipled when you show up to your mid-week small group. If these meeting times are not equipping you and encouraging you to continue to grow in Christ's likeness, then they are not meeting their purpose.
Why might you be hesitant to enter a discipleship relationship?
Let's face it, to be discipled means that you have to become vulnerable with at least one other person. This is something that
we are hesitant to do. Many of us have had bad past experiences, or expectations that did not get met, and because of this we do not want to open up to another person. You couple this with the pervasive American ideology of individualism and what you have is a bunch of Christ followers that believe they can grow in Christ on their own. Yet, this goes against biblical teaching. We are designed to be in community, specifically in a community that helps us to grow.
We
know the command to not forsake gathering together (Heb 10:25). But there is also the command to shoulder one another's burdens (Gal 6:2). And there is also the command to help each other settle issues of conflict (Phil 4:2-3). These things do not take place when we operate as individuals, these require community.
So why be in a discipleship relationship?
Now that we understand what a discipleship relationship is, when it takes place, and why
we might be hesitant to it, let's look at why we should be in one. As stated these relationships help us to grow in Christlikeness. Since this is a sanctification issue we know first and foremost that it is not a salvation command to be in. So you do not have to be. Yet, if you want to experience the promises for a fruitful Christian life, you will not overlook this.
Second, the Spirit equips us to be able to serve one another through our times of suffering. When you
are in appropriate discipleship relationships, you give others the opportunity to use their gifts to honor Yahweh. You also get the opportunity to use your gifts. The more you use your gifts the greater sense of joy and peace you have from the Spirit.
Finally, when we live in these types of relationships we have a front row seat to seeing Yahweh work in our lives and the lives of those around us. When we experience these things we become encouraged and
energized as we learn to wait expectantly on our Lord. This becomes the breeding ground for revival.
As we press into discipleship the remainder of this year, be praying about what Jesus might want to do through your obedience to living how he has both called and designed us to live.
