Discipleship and Disciple-Making
Discipleship and Disciple-Making
Timothy Keller once said that discipleship is not an option: There are not two kinds of Christians: regular Christians and Christians who are disciples; there is only one: to be Christian is to be a disciple. We can’t say that we are a truly transformed Christian if we do not commit to being a disciple of Christ. How firm is our faith if we stop short of saying that Christ is the most important thing in our lives?
Let the Dead Bury the Dead
I struggle with this fundamental truth of discipleship – that following Christ has to take first priority above all else. In some ways, I identify with the men in Luke 9. When Jesus called them to follow him, they said, Yes Lord, but first, let me do this (bury his father, say goodbye to family).
In life, we take on different roles – son/daughter, husband/wife, father/mother, friend, boss, employee – and along with them the responsibilities that these roles demand, all of which compete for our time and energy. But it is our role as a disciple of Christ that is the most consequential, yet the hardest to embrace, for it calls for us to put aside our own desires and ambitions, and to make him the centre of our lives.
Jesus said in Mark 8: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” His message is clear, but it is up to us to confront our own selfishness and pride and surrender our lives to Him.
Discipleship is a Journey
Keller also follows up to say that even though discipleship is not an option, it is still a journey. As with any difficult endeavour, it takes time. I can attest that even though I have committed to follow Christ, there are still seasons of my life where I falter because I don’t have it all together. But it is also in those seasons where I can take comfort in the fact that God has not forsaken me.
Perhaps this would also serve as some encouragement for those who are seeking to make disciples for Christ. Our individual discipleship journeys rarely progress in a straight line, but just like any long journey, there will be hills and valleys. Be patient as those you are discipling grow in the faith and be present as they face their own challenges, quietly reminding them of God’s promises.
I remember being called to walk together with a new believer as part of YCKC’s Life on Life Discipleship initiative. This was in the midst of the pandemic, so meeting in-person was still not the norm. We set a regular weeknight to do bible study and pray over Zoom, and occasionally meet for a meal. Looking back, it was close to 2 years of this journeying together that showed both of us how God was working in our lives, through all the ups and downs that we were both facing.
Discipleship is a lifelong journey of wholeheartedly following Christ. It is not optional but essential to the Christian life. As we continue on our own paths of discipleship and walk alongside fellow believers in their spiritual journeys, we pray for unwavering patience and steadfast perseverance to deepen our faith and draw closer to God.
By brother Kevin Kwa