Discipleship...

Discipleship is a wonderful privilege offered by the Lord Jesus to any who would follow Him. It has neither status nor prestige. It promises neither health nor wealth. It demands much of one who would follow.

Discipleship was Jesus’ idea. His terms were quite simple: “Follow me”. Following implies doing what he did, going where he went and listening to what he said. He continues to extend His offer today. Even though the nature of the following is different, the terms of recruitment are the same.

Choosing to follow him has a cost. It may have nothing to do with money. But it may take all the money you have. The cost will always be measured in that which you treasure most. But you will never be forced to pay up. He will only ask you to comply.

Discipleship is always a choice. It involves one who submits his will to the will of another. This is a voluntary submission. One who has something to learn submits to one who has something to teach. If you choose you can leave anytime you want. But you will find, like Peter, that Jesus is the one who has the words of eternal life.

Discipleship comes from the root word discipline. Discipline involves doing that which you would otherwise not do. It is the mind controlling the will. It is the heart controlling the mind.

Discipleship has as its goal the transformation of one from a self-sufficient free spirit to a God-glorifying servant. It seeks to raise a person’s vision from the realm of the ordinary to the sphere of the supernatural.

Discipleship is about relationship. A disciple relates in two dimensions. He relates to God as his Master. He also relates to people as their servant. In both relationships, the disciple is always the debtor. He owes reverence to the Most High God. He owes his assistance to any who need it. His model in servant-hood is Jesus himself. Consider…

For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. (Mark 10:45)

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-- even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Phil 2:5-11)

So there you have it. An invitation to be a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ. If that is your desire, make yourself at home in the studies and materials from this site.