Following Jesus 75

What is Discipleship?

 

The Vision of the Church is to glorify God. I am to praise, honor, and exalt God in everything I do.

 

The mission for believers and the church collectively is what we are to do to demonstrate and display who we are. To summarize, our vision is to glorify God; our mission is what God commands us to do in order to fulfill the vision of glorifying God. This vision and mission of the church must be biblical, understandable, attainable, and applicable.

 

To glorify God is who we are. God glorifiers. God has given the church specific disciplines in which to glorify Him. They are found in Mathew 28:16-20. “Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:16-20 ESV)

 

The Mission of the Church involves worship, evangelism, ministry and discipleship. “… Teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” Vs. 20a. Discipleship is a divine commission. 

 

What is Discipleship? It is the evidence and the disciplines that one is indeed a disciple of Jesus Christ. Discipleship is living a disciplined life to the glory and honor of God. A disciple is a follower; a pupil; one devoted to his teacher. I.e. Jesus Christ.  Discipleship is living a devoted life for the glory and honor of God; the One who we follow. 

 

“Discipleship is the diligent and intentional (daily and committed) communication (contact: reading and thinking and even praying) about the teachings of Jesus Christ found in the Scriptures… 

 

What are the fundamentals of discipleship? We examine this subject in greater detail next time.