DISCIPLESHIP A DIVINE MANDATE
Discipleship is a divine mandate, not a human option. The mandate on Discipleship is made clear by the Great Commission found in Mathew 28:18-20. It is assumed that every educated Christian believes making disciples of all nations (geographically and demographically) is a God-given mandate to the true church of Jesus Christ. But we have found that believing in the Great Commission is not the key to accomplishing the Great commission. The history of Christianity has been tainted by the fact that our modern churches, pastors, and laity have not been actively following this divine mandate. The failure of following the Great Commission lies mostly with the acceptance of an incorrect definition of the word disciple. The majority of the church world uses the words educate and evangelize in place of the word disciple. Though education and evangelization are important aspects of discipleship they are not by any means an adequate substitution for discipleship. Discipleship is the diligent and intentional teachings and practices that promote the lifelong lifestyle of becoming ever more like Jesus and reproducing the Christ-life in others . Discipleship is multi-faceted, but there are three key elements that are necessary for the discipleship process to be effective.First, an accurate understanding of the words disciple and discipleship are paramount. “Discipleship” was a well-established institution in first-century Judaism. It was the one and only avenue for gaining recognition as a rabbi (teacher). If a student aspired to be a master of the law and obtain the title teacher, discipleship was the only avenue open to him. This student attached himself to a recognized Rabbi and studied under the Rabbi for many years. These studies were not conducted in a classroom, but rather the student listened and observed the Rabbi teach others throughout the day. It was not unusual for the student to take up residence in the Rabbi’s home to further his studies and gain a deeper understanding of the life of a Rabbi. The twelve New Testament Disciples were living a life of study under Jesus Christ. They were called by Christ to be followers of him (John 1:43) while abandoning their occupations, family life, and personal aspirations for the call of discipleship. After Peter’s confession at Caesarea Philippi and Jesus’ open teaching about His impending death, He began to call for a commitment to full discipleship. To believe truly that He was the Messiah, God’s Son, meant to “continue in His word” as a true disciple (John 8:31). Jesus set in motion the discipleship process of the Great Commission by taking His own disciples to a level that was not previously obtained. Discipleship is a life-long journey of obedience and dedication to the Word of God and the examples of Jesus Christ while reproducing the powerful Christian life in others. There is no other acceptable explanation of discipleship that varies too greatly from this one. We cannot be disciples of Christ without dedication and obedience to the Word of God. Neither can we be effective disciples while pursuing personal ambitions that would take away from the pursuit of the Great Commission.
Secondly, there is a distinct cost of being a disciple of Christ. One must turn away from the pleasures of this world and pursue the goals that the Holy Spirit set before them. The key issue of discipleship is obedience, for without it no fundamental and lasting change takes place. This is the reason such “obedience-oriented” discipleship is required of all who would follow Christ. Otherwise, it is possible for a person to call Christ “Lord, Lord” and even do mighty works in His name and yet be an evildoer who will be denied entrance into the eternal kingdom (Matt. 7:21–23). No one can “fake” being a disciple of Christ. Those that are truly disciples will be made know by the fruit of their labors.
Thirdly, we must become followers of the examples of Christ and the leading of the Holy Spirit. In the original biblical texts, the term used for disciple refers to someone who is a learner or follower who serves as an apprentice under the tutelage of a master. Becoming a follower of Christ is a key to effective discipleship. Following Christ is not limited to following Him as long as He leads us where we want to go as many so called disciples would like to do. A disciple (follower of Christ) follows Him wherever He leads and whenever He leads while allowing the Holy Spirit to direct our paths. A follower of Christ must become sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit. For it was the Holy Spirit that Christ sent to us after He ascended. The Holy Spirit corrects us when we get off the path chosen for us, and gently directs us in the path we should take. Following Christ and the Holy Spirit are aspects of discipleship that if removed the word disciple can no longer be applied.
Even though discipleship is not a hard concept to understand, it seems to be a hard concept to apply. The cost of discipleship is often perceived as too great. The dedication of following the leadership of Christ and the Holy Spirit seems for some too difficult. But if we would completely follow the examples of Christ and learn from the lives of the twelve disciples we can become effective disciples and disciple makers!
DEFINITION OF DISCIPLESHIP
Discipleship is the diligent and intentional teachings and practices that promote the lifelong lifestyle of becoming ever more like Jesus and reproducing the Christ-life in others.
