Principles of Discipleship

This is an abbreviated version borrowed from a blog by Ali Zimmerman 5 Principles of Discipleship from Colossians 1:28-29

“Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations.” The command of Jesus is known by all Christians, yet it is not understood or followed.

In my pastoral experience, I have been involved in numerous discipleship groups.  Most assume that Small Groups is one and only solution and model of discipleship.  Yet, different groups modeled discipleship in a different way. Perhaps there is not a cookie-cutter methodology to discipleship in Scripture. Yet there are principles throughout Scripture that we must be careful to adhere to.

Apostle Paul writes In Colossians 1:28-29 “Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil, struggling with all His energy that He powerfully works within me.”

Consider these principles:

1. The Heart of Discipleship: Proclaiming Jesus.

First and foremost, discipleship is about proclaiming Jesus and making much of His name. We proclaim Jesus to men and women who will go on to proclaim Jesus to the world. Even if outwardly we are “proclaiming Jesus” in how we do discipleship, we must make sure that inwardly, our motive is to make much of Him, rather than to make much of ourselves.

2. The Means of Discipleship: Teaching and Warning With Wisdom.

Teaching, or instruction is the basic component of discipleship. We must teach those we lead in the Word of God and show them how to live lives that glorify Him. Yet we must go beyond teaching, we must also to warn them when they are going the wrong way. Out of love for those we disciple, we must not be silent when they are living in opposition to the Scriptures.  Depending on your personality, you might be someone who tends to dodge conflict. For you, the temptation will be to avoid having hard conversations with those you lead out of a desire to please them. However, if you tend to like power and control, you might be more prone to be too harsh in your correction. Don’t forget that Scripture also says that this must be done in a spirit of gentleness (Galatians 6:1) and out of love.

3. The Goal of Discipleship: To Present Everyone Mature in Christ.

Through Christ’s redeeming work, believers grow in maturity. We are not only to make converts that make converts, but for all believers to become increasingly like Jesus. True discipleship is about Christian maturity. Don’t allow those you disciple to be too dependent on you. Don’t be Jesus to them, point them to Jesus.

4. The Cost of Discipleship: Toil and Struggle.

Discipleship is rewarding, and, like most valuable things, discipleship also requires energy, time, and hard work. It is costly.  The Greek word which is translated as “toil” in this passage means “to grow weary, tired, exhausted”, or “to labor with wearisome effort”. Paul fought and labored to the point of exhaustion to present believers mature in Christ. Our culture loves comfort and ease of life. It teaches us to believe that if we are uncomfortable and strained, then something is wrong. If we function under this lie, it will lead to half-hearted discipleship.

5. The Power of Discipleship: His Energy. 

 “I toil, struggling with all His energy that He powerfully works within me.” it is crucial that you are constantly coming to the Lord to ask for His energy and power. While we do exert our energy, it is not ultimately our energy that will do the work of transforming hearts and lives, but the power of God. We are simply instruments in His hands. It is not our knowledge or skill that will develop disciples, but the power of God working within us.

Reflect on these principles as you consider your duty to be a disciple and discipler.

Disciple-shift

Since the beginning of this year you had been hearing numerous presentations, reading blogs on discipleship.  Is there a noticeable shift towards discipleship as a culture taking place in your life and the life of our congregation?  We are all called to be followers and disciples of Jesus and to go make disciples.  Are you being disciple?  Are you in a growing relationship with other disciples?

Whenever branch grows over a boundary it gets trimmed closer to the root.  Asa movement we had been moving in all kinds of directions for 175 years, and we need to be reminded of our roots in Jesus, of our radical Biblical practices.  This past week pastors discussed the disciple-shift in our province, and it appears that more explanation is needed for the local leaders, many do not see the need to change how we did church for the past few decades.  Indeed, the theology must be in place before practice will change.  The church had introduced the new Doctrine on Discipleship – No.11, called “Growing in Christ” in 2005.  The last General Conference in San Antonio emphasized the need for discipleship by adding a line to the Church Board job description – to develop Discipleship Plan before Evangelism and members nurture. What does hold us from it?

Perhaps, instead of teaching we must model discipleship.  Discipleship is not what happens in Sabbath School, or at a Board meeting. It is sharing life together in Christ.  We are disciples of Jesus and Jesus told us to make others His disciples.  This is simple theology of discipleship.  Disciples making disciples!  There is no other alternative Christianity.  Anything that is not discipleship is fraud, human invention.  Disciple0making is one and only Method of Jesus.  Apostle Paul would paraphrase this in his “one another” formula – serve one another, love one another, care for one another.

One thing I must communicate – discipleship in our church is not a fad, it is not something we will try for a year or two.  Discipleship is shifting our culture back to the roots of Christian Way as Jesus introduced it.  Discipleship is here to stay in our church as our movement is maturing from pursuing recognition of the world as a legitimate church, to becoming a Remnant movement of Definitely Devoted Disciples of Jesus. And it starts with personal choice to have a spiritual mentor, spiritual father/mother.  Even if you are in age and not a child, there is someone who may come along and disciple you to grow.  And the next step is to practice discipleship in our families.  Our children are our first disciples.   Then our circle of friends – being together disciples of Jesus.  Welcome to the church of Disciples!

Leadership Excellence needed - Discipleship is the only answer!

Friends, as we are envisioning the mission, the essential requirement is a healthy leadership team.  Ellen White says “generally the people rise no higher than the minister” (Manuscript Releases, 168), and that means not just pastor, but elders, leaders in general.  On another occasion she penned “Men in responsible positions should improve continually. They must not anchor upon an old experience and feel that it is not necessary to become scientific [learned, trained] workers. (Testimonies for The Church Vol.4. p93).

As we discuss discipleship plan for our church we are envisioning discipleship on all levels.  Here’s the preferred picture of desirable future, or simply, the Vision – elders are coaching, encouraging, supporting directors of various ministries.  As overseers they are “cheerleading” directors of ministries and their team. At the beginning of each year the elder discussed with a ministry leader their roadmap and plans, as the year progresses, the elder meets with their disciple in coaching session to talk about progress and improvements needed, at the end of the year the elder celebrates results with those he or she coaches.

In addition, elders are visiting with members in their parishes annually and interviewing every member about their spiritual growth, about their use of spiritual gifts, about their involvement in service, and presenting with ministry opportunities, connecting all people to be engaged in meaningful service.

The lead pastor is coaching elders, providing support, training and resources for elders to lead their parishes.  The pastor is also interviewing elders.  When coaching, mentoring, or simply – discipleship becomes our norm, then we can talk about warmth, spiritual environment, and total members involvement in our church.

Do you have a coach?  Are you being discipled by an elder? Are you coaching someone? Are you discipling people on your team, your children, people who are looking up to you? 

Discipleship is not about sitting in the pews once per week on Sabbath and hearing a lecture.  It is about doing life together, it is about serving others, it is about walking alongside people in different seasons of their life.

Remember that the Message of Jesus has to be shared through the Method of Jesus – discipleship!  Jesus told us to go to be His disciples (John 8:31) and to go and make disciples (Matthew 28:19-20).