Why Discipleship
What's the bigger picture and purpose Jesus had in mind when He wrote each of our life stories? I think all of us at some point ask questions like, “Why am I here?” and, “Why is this happening to me?” You may be asking, for that matter, what is this discipleship thing all about, and why should I consider taking on a discipleship lifestyle when I already have more than enough on my plate to keep me running ragged into infinity? Furthermore, why now?
What does discipleship mean?
We hear the word “discipleship” used in so many ways in our churches today, and I'm afraid most of us are more than a little fuzzy on its actual meaning. Does discipleship mean attending church on Sundays and perhaps even dropping some money into the offering plate or basket as it passes by? Does it mean being present in our church bubbles every Sunday morning to hear sermons and again on Wednesday nights for additional studies? Perhaps discipleship is about showing up throughout the week for church-based sports, musical activities, and meals? Or maybe it means going to Bible studies and community groups and serving in the church nursery? Delivering casseroles to church members with new babies? Making coffee or directing traffic? No, I suggest it means something more. Something else.
Let me be clear, those aren't bad things. Sign me up for all the casseroles and kiddos and coffee! As a matter of fact, I think our experience within the local church setting is vitally important as members of the Body of Christ, and helping to create a sacred space for others to encounter God is nothing shy of a mighty work. Meanwhile, I dare to suggest that discipleship for a Christian is, in fact, simpler. Discipleship means literally being a personal disciple, or a student and follower, of Jesus. Discipleship is all about living our lives like Jesus and with Jesus. This requires taking a long, hard look at what Jesus actually said and did with His life.
Our Greater Purpose
Jesus called those of us who follow Him to use our lives for a very special and specific purpose: to make fellow disciples out of those who need Him, from our nearest neighbors to people in every nation.
Jesus came to earth, after all, to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10). He brought the truth about God's plan of salvation for all people, the good news we call the gospel. He showed us the heart and face of God, and He called those of us who follow Him to use our lives for a very special and specific purpose: to make fellow disciples out of those who need Him, from our nearest neighbors to people in every nation.
As followers of Jesus Christ, we are all called to obey the command of the Great Commission, to take up a discipleship lifestyle within our own unique context. During His final moments of life on earth, following His resurrection and just before His heavenly ascension, Jesus purposely selected His final words to humanity. Christ left no doubt of the divine importance of these final utterances.
Why bother doing all of this?
First and foremost, we do it because Jesus said to. We do it because Jesus himself did it. We do it because it helps others. We make disciples because it benefits us personally - we ourselves grow as we journey with those whom we invite to join us. We do it because it's the greatest thing we can do with our lives for the Kingdom of God.
As noted earlier, don't we already have enough on our plates to keep us busy in life? Yep, we do. Maybe you've heard of the "Yes, And" exercise that improv artists use to inspire their own creativity and collaboration? Yes, all of us seem to have more than enough on our plates to keep us busy…and, making space in our lives to relationally and spiritually come alongside others is critically important. Yes, we've all got the same 525,600 minutes in any given year. No more, no less. And, we do make time for what is truly important to us.
If your experience proves to be anything like mine, once you enjoy the depth and authenticity of relationships with other disciples in a “small batch” community of faith, nothing else will satisfy. When you are no longer meeting regularly, you'll long for more of this genuine fellowship and your own intimacy with Christ, and you'll be ready to start again with someone else at once.
It's just that good.
{excerpt from chapter 1, Small Batch Discipleship}