Discipleship.
In terms of church words heard "in the wild" or outside of our faith community, this one ranks pretty low.
I can't think of too many popular tv shows, movies, or songs that slide in a reference to discipleship very often. The only place I can think of is when one sports coach is described as being significantly influenced by another coach.
"Mike Ditka was a disciple of Tom Landry's philosophy of football."
Basically, the only place you are really going here about discipleship is in church. And that is appropriate as discipleship is the basic foundation of the church.
19 "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, 20 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)
Make disciples. Or as we might say today...discipleship.
A few years ago, I was challenged to define for our church the essence of discipleship. What exactly does it mean to be a disciple? How do I know if I am a disciple? What is the difference between a Christian and a disciple?
Working with some of our other pastors, the definition we came up with was --
Joyfully pursuing the patterns, priorities, and purposes of Jesus.
I would like to spend some time the next few weeks thinking through that definition and those questions.
In the meantime...what are some ways that you have felt like a disciple in the last few weeks? What stands in the way of you confidently claiming the title "disciple" today?
Let's talk about it.
Your pastor,
Tim
