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Reclaiming Discipleship

Discipleship sometimes gets a bad rap, and I think I know why. Discipleship was intended to be transformational, but we’ve made it informational. We’ve reduced discipleship to a class to take, a book to read, or a small group to join. All of those are great, but they come up short of God’s goal.

God has a plan for breaking destructive, flawed, and failed systems. True discipleship isn’t without pain. Even grape-producing branches in a vineyard are pruned to produce far more grapes. And Jesus promises to prune our life, “that it may bear more fruit” (John 15:2). Pain is a necessary element for your life to count for something great. Discipleship is God’s plan for abundance; anything less is spectatorship. Dietrich Bonhoeffer said it even more directly: “Christianity without discipleship is always Christianity without Christ.”

Being a disciple of Jesus is more than an event; it’s a lifestyle that invites God to touch and cut away at every aspect of who we are. Discipleship involves the intentionality of the Christian to bring broken systems before God and let Him prune, lift, and redirect our lives. If you desire God’s promises in part or total, you must be a disciple. It is not optional.

Disciple or follower are the words most used in the New Testament to describe what it is to have a relationship with God. “Christian” is used only three times in the New Testament, while “believer” is only used eight times. “Disciple” and “follower” are used 269 times!

Discipleship is the best descriptor of authentic faith. It indicates movement and engagement. It means that when we put our feet on the floor in the morning, we’re allowing God to take control of our body and soul. I’m begging you to decide to take hold of this kind of faith. Speak it out to God right now. Lean into discipleship, resolving to stay postured in His presence and walking in His power!

DISCIPLESHIP IN ACTION

• How have you made discipleship more about information than transformation?
• Ask God to reveal an area of your life that He wants to transform, then surrender it to Him in faith.