disciple

What is Discipleship?

Dr. Mike 2026 , , , ,

Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!” John 21:22

As I get older, I have come to the place to spend more time listening then talking. You learn more when you first watch and listen then act and speak. The biggest difference today is also grasping the meaning of what is being asked or said. In the old days it seems words contain specific definitions. Today, words have a way of changing their meaning overnight. Also in the old days, it seems people were more precise in their chosen words. Today, the words are misplaced and misused more often than not. This may happen at work, in the home, and also in the faith community you attend.

Recently I had this experience speaking with church leaders. They were interested in starting a discipleship training program. After several minutes, how each person in the group defined discipleship became obvious. We were not on the same page.

Some thought discipleship as learning how to better evangelize the word. Some thought of gaining better knowledge of the church’s doctrinal positions. A few emphasized the importance of practicing spiritual disciplines. Then of course, there was me. Alone again, naturally.

All the things mentioned are a part of discipleship, but in my opinion, not its core. The central core of discipleship is Jesus. To follow HIM. To learn life by walking with HIM. HE is the teacher; we are the student. Being a disciple is having a relationship with Jesus. Allowing HIM to tutor you via the Holy Spirit.

Discipleship is a training process under the tutelage of Jesus. One learns to view the world through HIS eyes. To partner with HIM in your ventures through life. To learn how to be more effective as a spouse, parent, and child. How to be Kingdom focus in your career, work, and play. How to think with wisdom in your everyday practices. As you hang out more with HIM, your attitude and actions become more like HIS. The student becomes more and more like their teacher.

A good discipleship program equips one to with the tools to become more attuned to Jesus in their world. One studies the life of Jesus in all circumstances. You study how HE related with people. How did HE communicate with others? What was HIS focus in HIS relationships? How did HE act on HIS tasks at hand? How did HE recuperate at the end of the day? How did HE prepare Himself for the start of a new day? How did HE spend HIS free time? How did HE lead? How did HE follow others? How did HE use Scripture? One studies into HIS life to gain head knowledge. But the real walk is living life with HIM throughout the day.

I compare it to a ballroom dance. The music is playing. The dance floor is open. This is your time. You have been preparing yourself for a long time for a moment like this. You wait. The anticipation is growing. You Asked your Teacher this morning for his help today. You know HE is dependable and always available to help you. But now you are Seeking HIS presence. The announcer speaks your name. The Opportunity is here. The moment has arrived. You take your first step toward the floor. You sense HIS presence. HIS encouragement. HIS confidence. HIS assurance. You give it your best.  You know HIS grace is sufficient to cover any shortfall.

Whatever the outcome, you are OK. You are being held by HIS arms. You dance for HIS glory. For HIS namesake. You consider it a privilege to dance with your teacher on this day and every day.

Discipleship is learning to function each day with Jesus. To make decisions together. To learn how best to live and love like HIM. Together to bless others. To show HIS Kingdom ways for others to capture the same vision HE has given you.

Like Jesus speaking with Peter on the beach before his ascension into heaven, the same holds true for us. Both Peter and John are HIS disciples. Both have chosen to follow HIM. Yet each may have a different ministry on earth to fulfill. Don’t compare yourself with the other. Instead focus on your purpose in walking with HIM. Peter and John both served Jesus. Both followed HIM till their last breath on earth. Jesus loved both of them.

Discipleship is following Jesus on an individual basis. But also collectively supporting one another in their walk. Together we form the church. But each with individual gifting and mission. As you learn to relate, walk, and spend time together with Jesus, HE will become more and more involved in your life. The result is a life well lived as a disciple of HIS.   

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

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“We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,” (Colossians 1:9)

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Disciple-less Christianity

Dr. Mike 2025 , , , ,

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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 all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”   Matthew 28:18-20

What is the difference between being a Christian and a disciple of Jesus?

Why are there Christians who accept the teachings of Jesus, but lack the power of the Spirit in their lives?

Why is the Church declining in the developed countries of the world today? Whereas in the third-world domains, Christianity is growing.

Somewhere the western Church has lost their way.

To clarify definitions, the Church are the people, not the buildings. Discipleship is the process of being spiritually train for Kingdom impact. This process is Spirit led from the inside-out. The goal is to be shaped into the character of Jesus.

The faith institutions provide the leadership for their respective members. Why are they not held accountable for the condition of the Church today? The majority of established Church communities have lost membership these last thirty years. Many of these churches are at the end of their life expectancy.

When did the Church stop growing?

Could it be when leadership began to water down the cost of discipleship? Instead of providing a path of being a disciple of Jesus, they lowered the bar. They switched goals. They made it easier for people to become members of their faith community.

One now can become a member of the Christian community without being a disciple. In a sense, one could practice Jesus’ teachings without committing to HIM. People now confuse living within a Christian culture is all that is needed to be a disciple. Instead of majoring in the most important mission of the Church, they get lost in activities.

The Church began to focus on social programs to signal their virtue. These programs took energy and resources away from a pathway to discipleship. Discipleship programs became the minor activities of the Church. Though they have remained on the docket, the content contains introductory material. Instead of training and maturing disciples, the courses repeat grade school material. If one wants graduate work, one is on their own.

Thus today, one can be labelled a Christian. They could be a member of a faith community. But they may not even have a relationship with Father-Son-Spirit. Membership allows one to maintained the outer form of service, yet ignore the inner practice of becoming more Christlike in their everyday routine. Members may have a form of religion, but lack the power of God in their lives.

So, if you want more from life than play church, commit to being a disciple of HIS. Ask Jesus to make you a full-time disciple of HIS. Ask HIM to show you how to be a follower of HIS within your home, marketplace, and community. Ask HIM to lead you to people who are likewise hungry for more of HIM. Allow HIS Spirit to enter your heart and mind. Seek HIS Kingdom to govern yourself and others. Become a theologian yourself. Study HIS Word. Learn to dance with HIM in your everyday routine. Let HIM be your #1 partner at work, at home, and play. Focus on building a walking relationship with HIM. Otherwise, who are you going to become? A Disciple-less Christian? Or a Disciple of HIS?

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

“We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,” (Colossians 1:9)

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Why Are You a Christ-Follower?

Dr. Mike 2023 , , , ,

John 18:37

Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.

How many of us are still recouping from the lies which we trusted to be true but found out later they were not? And now paying the consequences of our error in judgement?

The sad fact is we have all been lied too. At times the lies are minor and we walk away with only a small dent in our life. Yet many times the untruths are major accidents.  Years later, we still struggle to restore normalcy to our lives.

Truth matters.

In business, without hard facts, management decisions may quickly lead to financial ruin.

In relationships, lies between parties subsequently destroys trust.

And yes, even in baking your favorite cake using the wrong mixture produces a lower quality treat.

Lies produce fantasies – a make believe world. Truth though allows you to build on reality – how God created the world to actually function.

So what does this have to do with who you follow in life?

Everything.

Each one of us follows someone. Early in life, we follow our parents. Then maybe teachers or coaches. Later, we search out other mentors to help navigate our way to the promise land. Over time, we either crown ourself as god, or realize our need to worship someone greater than self.

Enter Jesus Christ.

If following the truth is of prime importance, than you have a dilemma with Jesus. When you are introduced to HIM, you have a decision to make. Is HE who HE claims to BE, or is HE not?

Like many people before us who have faced the same question, so will you. As C.S. Lewis often stated, after you do your homework, you will have a decision to make. Either HE is who HE claims to BE, or HE was a liar or a lunatic. He couldn’t be a good, moral teacher because liars are not good people.

Yes, I follow Jesus Christ because HE is the Truth. The historical evidence is strong. The personal experience is reassuring. The shared examples with others are real. The proof is testing HIS hypothesis, and evaluating the outcome in your life and the lives of others.

Yes, Truth matters. This is the prime reason I follow my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Everything else sooner or later comes back to HIM. HE is the Alpha and Omega, the First and Last, and HE is the reason why you and I are alive, have hope, and value. HE gives meaning to the universe, to life, and to purpose. HE is the central core of everything good. Everything begins with HIM and ends with HIM.

This is the reason I follow HIM – Because Truth matters.     

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

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