“Discipleship is the process of becoming who Jesus would be if he were you.”
Dallas Willard
Dallas Willard
The importance of discipleship
One of Jesus’ most well-known disciples, Peter, was an activist. He loved to get things done! He was the first to declare that Jesus was the Messiah (Matthew 16:16), the first to get out of a boat in a storm to walk to Jesus (Matthew 14:28-31), the first to protect him with a sword at his arrest (John 18:10).
If you are reading this, you may well be someone who likes to move beyond talk to action. But Peter’s second letter ends in a striking way. He says: “since you already know these things (the teachings of the apostles) … grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18). For the most well-known activist in history, growing and going weren’t an “either-or” but a “both-and”.
Discipleship is about growing. It’s the process of training people to become more like Jesus, as they follow his example and teaching. We encourage each other to grow more like Jesus individually (like Peter teaching Cornelius in Acts 10) and as church (seen as they gathered together to hear the apostles teaching in Acts 2:42).
Try to reflect on what the biggest barrier to growing in this area is for you.
Ask God to help you overcome that challenge, even as you engage with God’s word now...
"At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like..."
Matthew chapter 25
In Matthew 25, Jesus tells three parables that point us to three important truths about discipleship.
First, we need to live aware that Jesus could return at any time, like a Bridegroom (verses 1-13). We should not be complacent about our daily walk with him.
Secondly, we need to use the resources he’s given us wisely, like the master who gave his servants bags of gold (verses 14-30). Our minds, hearts and behaviours are meant to be used for our master.
Thirdly, we should be aware of serving those on the margins, like those on the King's right in the parable of the sheep and the goats (verses 31-46).
All of this teaching is directed to how the group behave towards one another in the first instance. That means that you can’t do this well if you’re not rooted in a local church.
So practically what does all this mean? What steps can I take to make progress?
Find a mentor
The biblical pattern for discipleship isn’t limited to a church leadership team. The whole church has a role in growing each other (Titus 2:3). Who could act as a spiritual mentor to you? Do you know someone who might invite you into their life to learn from and be encouraged by?
Could you, in turn, encourage someone as well? This could look like meeting up regularly to chat, pray and read scripture, or something more informal. If getting together in person is challenging, why not try meeting together online regularly.
Use a catechism
Over most of the history of the church, a key part of discipleship has been using a question and answer format to learn key Christian truths as a community . These are called catechisms. They make clear that there are specific truths that Christians through the ages have held dear, and that we learn best in community.
There are lots of resources available to get going on this. The New City Catechism is just one freely available example. Could you join with a friend and learn one each week?
There is so much more to say! Here are some bible verses that you might turn to, to fuel your reflection on discipleship:
Here are some London City Mission resources that will encourage you in your discipleship journey:
Gareth Jones, LCM Field Director for Children, Youth, and Schools, shares the profound impact of including young people in God’s great rescue mission.
Alexandra Huggins from Faith in Later Life, explores the major gospel impact of older people in our churches.
Dan Strange, Director of Crosslands Forum, shares how our day-to-day expression of faith can become magnetic, attracting others to be attached to Jesus!
LCM shares the gospel alongside the local church of London, equipping everyday Christians to lovingly bring a message of hope in Christ to those least likely to hear it.
Registered Charity No. 247186
