What It Means to Be a Disciple
Discipleship is how we reach the world, I am told. I understand that if each disciple reaches one person, and in turn that disciple reaches one that reaches one, the multiplication of disciples in a few years will reach the whole world.
I have done the math and get the picture. While numbers are great, it’s really about intentional relationships that develop the character of Jesus in others as well as myself. As I look back on my journey in Christ, several men have poured into me to grow me as a disciple of Christ. Jesus says you can tell a disciple by the teaching he holds to (John 8:31-32), by the fruit that he bears (John 15:8), and by the love he has for others (John 13:35). This is doctrinal, practical, and relational.
My development as a disciple came from many people, and it continues to this day. In fact, we never stop needing people to pour into our lives and help us live as disciples of Christ.
Doctrinally, Bill Smith poured the nourishing word of God into my life that showed me Jesus and the freedom his life and word has for me. I didn’t really understand the power of grace and truth until he opened my eyes to the Gospel and the assurance that comes with the message of Jesus. Thank you Bill (and a host of others) that have taught me the word of God.
Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.” –John 8:31-32
Practically, Ray Melton trained me to produce fruit in evangelism and preaching. He taught me authenticity, and that there is value in every human being— regardless of his or her struggles. From coon-hunting to coffee drinking at the local café, Ray took me everywhere with him, and I watched and learned how he was consistently using every situation to bear fruit for God and influencing the community.
He taught me how to take everyday living into the pulpit on Sunday. He intentionally discipled me—even though I wasn’t always aware of it. He taught me loyalty and that relationships were more valuable than church politics. He taught me that you don’t sacrifice people for someone else’s idea of church success. We are all broken people, yet broken people are who God uses to change the world. Thank you Ray for pouring into my life and the lives of so many other disciples.
Jesus said, “ This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.” –John 15:8
Relationally, many people have discipled me. I guess God knew I would need a lot of love and patient people to help me grow (and I still do). Gary Stephenson is a man that loved me and gave me a front row view to integrity and faithfulness.
Gary’s wisdom was beyond his years. I always said he was 60 when he was 40. I watched him, as an elder, deal with people no one else wanted to deal with, yet he was patiently discipling them.
Randy Green taught me how to love people and express love for God through singing. Singing together with someone you love as you worship God deepens your relationship. Our relationship with God and one another is meant to be worship, as we celebrate the great God that saved us and put us in relationship with other disciples. Because we are all blood kin we need to learn how to love one another.
Alan Robertson taught me (or is attempting to teach me) how to get along with the “ungetalongable.” I have seen him love people through the hardest of times. He is my partner in the pulpit, but more importantly, he is my fellow disciple that continues to teach and encourage me in ministry.
We must fulfill the command to make disciples (Matthew 28:18-20) in the spirit of the greatest command to love God and others (Matthew 22:37-39). Without love, we are just a loud religious noise trying to get people in our church buildings. The old saying is true: “people don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” One of my elders and best friends, Tommy Inman taught me this years ago. I have watched him love people to such a degree that, when their life falls apart, he is the first one called.
Rules don’t prick hearts, love does. When I sin do I want to be corrected by the one who knows the rules or who knows my heart? In 1 Peter 4:8, the Bible says, “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” We tend to condemn peoples sin and sincerity when we don’t know them, but we are much more patient with those we love deeply. Discipleship is relational.
Jesus said, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” –John 8:34-35
If you are looking for a church, don’t. Look for disciples. Look for those abiding in Christ teaching, bearing fruit in Christ living, and loving one another in Christ relationally. Renew.org Network defines disciple as, “A disciple is someone who is following Jesus, being changed by Jesus, and is committed to the mission of Jesus.” (p.430, Disciple Making: The Core Mission Of The Church by Bobby Harrington and W. Scott Sager).
If I were starting a church, I would take Gordon Dasher, Robert Ables, Tommy Inman, and Randy Green with me. Not because of their talent(although there is a little talent there!), but because they understand discipleship, doctrinally, practically, and relationally. This all starts with what it means to follow Christ.
It’s a challenge and adventure laid out before us by the one who died for our sins and was raised from the dead, and will come again to take us home. Without discipleship, amazing grace becomes cheap grace. I cannot reverse my sin, but I can go forward in following my Savior in grace and hope. Denying the self and taking up the cross is a daily challenge, but his grace is enough.
In Luke 9:23, it is written, “Then he said to them all: ‘If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.’”