3 Reasons You Need Discpleship
The cool ocean breeze wound around us as we stood on the shores, watching the waves. A few friends were brave enough to climb out among the rocks of our hidden cove.
It was perfect weather for hunting for shells and hermit crabs, after all.
In watching their steps out into the rocks, we couldn't help but sit back and think of our walk with the Lord. How often have we ventured out into the rocky pathways, following His call and looking for treasures and people to add to His kingdom?
In our humanity, our best intended steps can sometimes grow unsteady.
Without each other, the question remains: what happens when we fall? How do we learn which steps to take and what to avoid?
We think that may be exactly why Jesus makes it clear to go and make disciples, and why fellowship with other believers is such a vital aspect in our walk with Christ.
Because discipleship, in its simplest form, is working out the truthful word of God in the context of a relationship and having the accountability to continue to grow more like Christ. How can you learn to look like Him if you aren’t attached to His body?
Our faith was never meant to be walked out alone—God designed us for connection and for intimacy; both of which naturally grow when your are discipled and in community with believers.
Here are three reasons why we need discipleship:
Building the body. Much like our friend, when we have fellowship, and are building disciples of Jesus, we are able to turn and strengthen each other, and pull disciples onto drier, steadier rocks. We can pull the lost into the embrace of the Father we know so well. How exciting is it that God can use YOU to help restore and heal others?
It’s a call to action by Jesus! Now, some friends may be excited about where Jesus says to “Go.” It's exciting to GO. To DO. But what about the other piece? What about making disciples? In English, the sentence to "Go, and make disciples," can sometimes be focused on the "Go," when in Greek, the verb, or action word was actually "Make." There is no greater act we can do than live our lives serving one another and walking alongside other believers.
We are made for relationships. One thing is made clear: we aren't to walk alone. Just as the Lord brought Eve to Adam, the Body of Christ works in fellowship and harmony together. Our world has made it so easy to isolate instead of bring connection. One of the most life-changing ways we can come together as Christians is through discipleship. When we choose to have someone relationally involved in our lives – showing love and being loved, extending and receiving grace, working through the storms in life – we have the opportunity to experience the abundant life Christ promises us. We were made to be in fellowship—with God and with others.
As we step into the new year, this is the perfect time to pray into discipleship.
Are you being discipled?
Are you actually connected to the Church or just showing up to sermons?
Are there people in your life you want to pour into?
What would your life look like connected with solid believers?
”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 28:19-20 ESV
