What is Discipleship?
Discipleship can be a “buzzword” of sorts. In other words, it can become a word that is used so often and has an implied meaning that is not clearly understood. That is an unfortunate reality.
The unfortunate part is that the more that discipleship becomes a word with no meaning, the more likely that we are as Christians to avoid it. Avoiding discipleship though means that we miss God’s mission for us. The cost of discipleship is high, but the cost of neglecting it is even higher! A simple definition of discipleship is, “Walking with others as we grow in our faith.”
Scripturally, we see the idea of discipleship in several places. The three most famous places are Matthew 28:18-20, 1 Corinthians 11:1, and 2 Timothy 2:1-2.
Matthew 28:18-20 is near and dear to our hearts at Cornerstone. We read this passage together every Sunday for a reason. These verses give us a clear mission for what we need to do as believers! We read, “Jesus came near and said to them, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
So what does that passage challenge us to do? It challenges us to make disciples as we go through life. The word for “go” here does not mean “as we go overseas,” instead, it means, “as you live life.” So discipleship is to be part of our daily lives! Our daily lives should heavily involve our active discipleship of the people around us!
Matthew 28:18-20 also tells us what it looks like to make disciples. Disciples first must follow Jesus! After all, the root of the word “disciple” means follower! Secondly, our discipleship should involve baptism. We will touch on baptism more in-depth later on with the Practical Theology Corner, but part of discipleship is baptism! Thirdly, we are to teach people we disciple to observe everything Jesus taught. That is the thrust of making disciples! Making disciples is about helping people around us follow Jesus and it is built based on God’s word.
The second passage that clearly defines discipleship comes from 1 Corinthians 11:1. Paul is writing to the Corinthians about what it looks like to follow Christ. He writes, “Imitate me, as I also imitate Christ.” That is a simple description of discipleship! Discipleship is built on the idea of imitation. When we are discipled, we imitate someone else as they follow Christ. When we disciple someone else, we provide an example of what it looks like to follow Christ!
The third passage that is clear on discipleship is found in 2 Timothy 2:1-2. Paul writes to Timothy in what is his last epistle and says, “You, therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. What you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, commit to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” Paul calls on Timothy to first stand strong in the grace of Jesus! Then, Paul tells him to pass on the lessons that he has heard from Paul! The vision of Paul is not just for Timothy to pass these on. Rather, Paul says that Timothy should pass on what he’s learned to men who will be able to teach others. Paul has an idea in mind for discipleship. Discipleship is to be multiplicative, or in other words, it will reproduce! A disciple will become a disciple-maker who helps others grow and make disciples!
Discipleship, or the idea of helping someone to follow is not only Christian. The word disciples too! This is where discipleship becomes deeply personal. Every person in this world is discipled by something. Either it is by the world and we become more like the world around us, or we are discipled towards Jesus and we grow to be more like Jesus! So let me encourage us, discipleship is not just a term, it is a practical command that Jesus gives, that the early church models, and is a practice that we must engage in. Discipleship is how the world is changed!
Pastor Daniel