I can clearly remember the evening I responded to God’s pursuit for my heart. I was welcomed into the family of Jesus Christ with multiple hugs and many excited faces. It was beautiful
to say the least. The next big step was being told to start reading the book of John in the Bible and keep coming to church.
Done! So, my journey started.
In the years to follow, I copied what I liked in the lives of those around me in Church and joined as many ministries as I could.
Looking back at that season of my life, I can see how some unhelpful habits could have been avoided quicker, had someone committed to help me navigate this new life I had entered. My story is very similar to that of many people I encounter in the Church. Many are still not aware that life-on-life Discipleship is even an option.
A turning point in my Christianity was when I was introduced to Discipleship in University. These women gave of their time, they taught me how to study the Bible, they walked with me through my struggles, kept me accountable, and invited me into their homes. This was not done through a program that lasted a few weeks, but rather over many years. This all happened while they continued in the normal rhythms of their lives. All they required from me was commitment and the humility to follow.
… Jesus Christ discipling a few for a period of time was an intentional and effective model to emulate.
I am aware that there are many understandings of Discipleship, and I want to emphasize that I am not a scholar on this topic, but rather a beneficiary of it. It is this benefit that has convinced me that Jesus Christ discipling a few for a period of time was an intentional and effective model to emulate. This model was lived out in front of me and deposited into me by a few faithful women. This was done by living out the Great Commission found in Matthew chapter 28 and further explained by Paul in 2 Timothy chapter 2. It is a life-on-life process of learning, where we see the Gospel being displayed in our imperfect daily lives and being taught to others who have crossed the line of faith, with a desire to see a multiplying effect of the transforming work of Jesus Christ. Discipleship is undoubtedly the work of the Holy Spirit, and our role in it is to be obedient and to pursue intentionality.
The call is to make Disciples who make Disciples in and through every season of life to the glory of God.
If we want to see followers of Jesus Christ who are equipped to obey the Great Commission, life-on-life Discipleship should be part of our Missional strategy and not a one-time exercise we graduate from. The call is to make Disciples who make Disciples in and through every season of life to the glory of God.
