Disciples of Christ

If a pastor were to ask his congregation on a Sunday morning to raise their hands if they were Christians, most people would probably raise their hands. But what if, instead, the pastor asked everyone to raise their hands if they were disciples of Christ? Do you think there would be more or fewer hands raised? “Disciple” sounds so…. official. It’s likely that question would result in fewer hands raised, not because Christians don’t see themselves as disciples, but because many Christians aren’t sure of what a disciple is. Disciple simply means learner and follower. A Christian is a follower of Christ and His teachings, and a disciple is a follower of Christ and His teachings; a Christian and a disciple of Christ are the same!

As Christians, we are called to be followers, or disciples, of Christ. Being a disciple of Jesus is more than just a label; it is a way of life rooted in love, commitment, and active obedience to the teachings of Jesus. Disciples trust and believe in the words of Jesus and put His words into practice. When Jesus tells us to love our enemies, as disciples we are expected to obey. In fact, Jesus teaches us that if we don’t merely hear His words but do them, we will be capable of weathering any storm because our lives will be built on a solid foundation. One more time for those in the back: If we obey Jesus’ teachings, He will provide a solid foundation in our lives that will allow us to weather any storm. So, how well are we at being doers of His words? Are we loving our enemies, turning the other cheek, and giving selflessly?

Questions to ask yourself:

1. Am I currently in a season of my life where the storm seems to be displacing me? Have I not built a firm foundation by obeying Jesus’ teachings?

2. In what ways can I improve at being a disciple of Christ?

What’s next?

1. Read Luke 6:27-42, 46-49, and be a more intentional ‘doer’ over the next week.

2. Jesus wants you to follow Him well, so identify all of the things that are keeping you from being an effective disciple and change them!

Pray this prayer

Lord Jesus, I am grateful for you and your teachings. Teach me to live in obedience to your Word, not just in words, but in actions. May my life be built on the solid foundation of your teachings, so that no matter what storms come, I will stand firm in you.