discipleship

A Vision For Discipleship

Dr. Mike 2026, Jesus Apprentice, Kingdom Paradigms , , , , , ,

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

In reviewing several discipleship programs for our faith community, I was intrigued. Each one emphasized a different area of the disciple-making process. What all had in common was using Matthew 28 as their key Scripture to build upon. But each emphasized one specific aspect and gave little time for the vision.

Some emphasized the recruiting aspect. Others the learning. But none on the relationship-building purpose behind the discipleship making process.

This Scripture does capture the vision and strategy his team is to use for growing the Church. Yet when I see what programs are being used, I see an immense amount of strategy but very little on the vision. So let’s read this Scripture together. Let us see how the importance of capturing the vision helps direct the strategy to use.

First when Jesus states that ALL authority in heaven and on earth has been given to HIM, what does that mean? In summary, HIS incarnation restored humanity into the Triune circle. Humanity is now included within the Triune God circle of Papa God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. Jesus lived the perfect righteous life on behalf of all humanity. HE also defeated Satan in the process. Papa God thus rewarded HIM with full authority as the Son of Man and Son of God, and as Lord of Lords and King of Kings. Jesus has final say on all heavenly and earthly matters. We now serve a benevolent dictator who has a heart of love balanced with the discipline of justice.

HIS instructions are for us to make disciples from all ethnic and racial groups. This includes all people from all nations – no one excluded. “Make” does not mean we force people to accept HIS beliefs. But as one practice this way of life, one learns to walk along with the Holy Spirit in HIS work. “To make” is a process. It is about recruiting and mentoring others with Jesus, Holy Spirit, and Papa God.

Also “go” doesn’t mean we necessarily leave our homes and travel to a far-off place. But the Greek text states otherwise. It is a corrective passive particle rather than an imperative verb. It means where you are already planted and active you share the message of Jesus to others.

“To be baptized” is our public acknowledgement we accept the work of Jesus Christ in our life. HIS life restored us into a relationship with Father-Son-Holy Spirit; the Triune God. To be baptized is us participating with Jesus in HIS death and resurrection. HIS death washed our sins away and HIS resurrected life has given us new life in HIM.

“Teaching them” is the primary function of the Church. As HIS disciples we teach others what we have learned from HIM. The process is for life; it never ends. It involves more than academic knowledge. It is training in all the practices and all the ways of HIS Kingdom. It involves head knowledge and heart knowledge. It involves the body, soul, and spirit of the believer. It covers the entire human experience of birth, family, work, community, and death. Jesus spoke about it all.

In the end, HE encourages us. HE reminds us that HE is alive and with you in all you do. Always. Even when you sin. HIS grace covers you. Even when you are rebellious. You may close your eyes at HIM, but HE is always there for you. We need to keep refocusing our eyes on HIM.

The purpose behind discipleship is to observe Jesus, our Rabbi and Teacher, work in our life. Yes, HE is Savior and Lord. But we start off the discipleship route as a learner. We are learning HIS Kingdom ways. We are putting them into practice each day. As we do, our relationship with HIM changes over time.

Like HE spoke to HIS graduating class of disciples the evening before HIS death. HE called them friends. The relationship changed from student to friend. Then again, after HIS resurrection, the relation changes even deeper. HE calls them brothers. A familial relationship.

Today we are HIS disciples. But we are also HIS brother and friend. The purpose of discipleship is to be trained in Kingdom practices. It is to learn how to live under the auspices of King Jesus. It is to learn how the Triune God governs the universe through the Kingdom of God. It is for us to learn how to govern ourself and others in similar fashion.

In many ways, discipleship is an executive training program of the Kingdom of God. It is the way Jesus is preparing you and me for eternity with HIM. It is more than head knowledge. It is training the entire body-soul-spirit under HIS authority. We are to learn how to serve others for God’s glory and for the sake of others. It is our preparation unto eternity. It starts now. It never ends. It is a life-long process. We are learning, integrating, and growing in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ. This is the vision and purpose of discipleship.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

Click Here for more Writings Neatly Bound in Book Format Available at Your Favorite Bookstore.

“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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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

Click Here for more Writings Neatly Bound in Book Format Available at Your Favorite Bookstore.

“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)

Encourage a Friend…Share Today’s Message! | Copyright 2013-Present | Abbaco LLC | All Rights Reserved

Distractions and Traditions

Dr. Mike 2026 , , ,

“…but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it proves unfruitful.” Mark 4:19

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And the Pharisees and the scribes asked him, “Why do your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat with defiled hands?” And he said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, “‘This people honor me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’  Mark 7:5-7

One day, if you haven’t done already, you will come to a place in life you stop, look around, and shake your head at all the distracting noise surrounding you. Each way you look, you see nothing but others pushing their agenda upon you. Influencers vying for your attention. Marketers packaging their merchandise in your face. Politicians communicating their message of fear and more dollars to feed their mission. Every which way you look you are being bombarded with distractions from your goals.

Then there are those who still live in yesterday’s past. They want to keep the fences in place but cannot give you a viable reason for their position. To remove the fence would change their surroundings. They cannot tell you the importance of the fence. All they mutter is tradition is important and we need to continue keeping it.

Jesus faced the same issues in his time on planet earth. The religious people made up traditions that they placed more importance over God’s way of life. The cares of everyday living and the pursuit of power, money, and sex is nothing new. The same carnal desires humans pursue today were alive and well in Jesus’ time.

All these distractions and made-up rituals are the same battles we face today. They challenge us in our walk with Jesus. We may notice the spiritual fruit of a godly life is missing. Then wonder why? Could it be time to stop; get off the worldly bus, and start down the road the slower way – walking with Jesus.

He has a way of teaching you where to find real freedom, flourishment, and fulfillment. HIS Word, Spirit, and Kingdom ways open the door for you to fully live as a human being. HE leads you to discover real love, joy, and peace without the trappings of social customs. HE welcomes you into a family of the Triune God circle. You meet Papa God. You are introduced to the Holy Spirit. You capture HIS vision for humanity. You find purpose in your life. You find a way of life that is grace-paced. It all starts when you disregard the noise around you and focus your eyes and heart unto Jesus.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

Click Here for more Writings Neatly Bound in Book Format Available at Your Favorite Bookstore.

“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)

Encourage a Friend…Share Today’s Message! Copyright 2013-Present | Abbaco LLC | All Rights Reserved