Discipleship
Trends fly past us at breakneck speed these days; something is in one moment and out the next. Those addicted to fashion have been at the forefront of trends for decades, if not centuries, but it appears that the interconnectedness of the world via social media is pushing us along at speeds even they are surprised by. In other words, nothing lasts; built-in obsolescence is de rigueur. The mantra, ‘change is the only constant,’ has been normalized – it is the only acceptable progressive view. And we, the church, aren’t immune to this relentless, so-called necessity of change and forward progress (even if it is little more than circular).
Currently, the word discipleship is ‘in,’ until it isn’t, that is. It will fall out of favour when a new thing gains traction, or titillates our ever-consumeristic needs. What is soon forgotten is thereby consigned to the archives of ‘been there, done that.’
However, discipleship is not ‘in’ as it has never been ‘out.’
Currently, discipleship is the theme of conferences, books, podcasts, ministries, and teaching initiatives. Some good things are being communicated. That being said, few seem to emphasise how important discipleship is to the Great Commission – it is the Great Commission. It isn’t a trend, an add-on, or another methodology to grow your church. It is the vital and only means of transforming people into the image of Christ, and in so doing, forming the people of God. All else is subsumed under it. And fewer seem to know how, or what the means are, to disciple.
But if we can imagine discipleship being fundamental/formational, as are baptism and the Lord’s Supper, we will ensure that the final words of Jesus are being adequately fulfilled. If not …?
The following descriptions (by no means exhaustive) of the process of discipleship could help us be delivered from the tyranny of the trendy, a fashionable faith forever chasing its own tail.
Discipleship is Personal
The model of the Rabbi suggests this, aside from the record of Scripture. Jesus taught the crowds, but he discipled as a Rabbi those he chose. No doubt discipling the few is to reach the crowd, but even then, the crowd needs to be discipled, as they were in the first centuries of the church. This was accomplished by small groups being catechized, patiently, deliberately, accountably, and, might we add, fruitfully.
Rabbis chose their disciples – it wasn’t up to the potential acolyte to choose. Jesus asked specific people to follow him, and learn from him.
The Sunday pulpit can’t provide sufficient context for effective discipleship, except in the general terms of teaching and example (of the teacher’s life and faith – not unimportant). Open meetings can’t, by definition, disciple people in the way of Jesus. There are many things we can’t say. And people in these settings can sit, listen, and take it or leave it; this isn’t the environment of discipleship, as it is achieved in the more intimate and accountable connections of smaller groups, and with one-on-one discipling. This is the patient work of the Kingdom.
Discipleship is Communal
Except in the case of one-on-one or smaller groups (the 3), discipleship is done together, as it requires being accountable within any given community of God’s people. For instance, Jesus would rebuke the disciples when they were gathered, not in private. Why? Because being accountable to each other forcefully brings home the necessity and desirability of change. This is something we avoid – we call it shaming or singling people out, but Jesus called it discipleship. This takes into account that he wasn’t just ticked off and venting; that is a different matter. Anger disciples few.
Discipleship is Geared Toward Behavioral Change
We have supposed discipleship is about preaching or leading styles, but that is not the goal of being discipled. It’s about character change and being held accountable to and for those necessary changes. It is focused on thought and action transformation, not on preaching styles or stage histrionics.
This assumes a local setting in most cases, as in, the discipler is a member of the local church. Why? He or she sees the lifestyle, the influence, the weaknesses of the one they are discipling. And the one being discipled can see a living (incarnated) example in the life of those discipling them. This can only be done if the disciple and discipler know each other. This is impossible via books, podcasts, or other platforms. These mediums can help in ministry, but they are never your local assembly, the home of your relationships and consequent growth in Christ; they are insufficient to the task of discipleship.
Mentors and coaches are unlikely to be disciplers, strictly speaking – maybe generally speaking. The help offered by coaches is performative, and the exchange of money for services certainly muddies the water.
Discipleship Employs Scripture
The word of God is the means that is employed in transforming the life of a disciple of Jesus, someone joined in the body of Christ to the head. Hearing Scripture, discussing Scripture, and obeying the demands of Scripture is axiomatic to the process of discipleship. Behaviour change that doesn’t focus on Scripture won’t lead to the formation process of the life of Jesus Christ in us, as individuals and as a community. And it is a process; it takes time.
We will only create impoverished disciples if we minimize Scripture. It is in Scripture we see patterns of discipleship. Matthew, who finished his gospel with the final words of Jesus centered on the Great Commission, doesn’t leave us wondering. Matthew 5-7 is the new law, the word spoken from a mountain by the prophet like unto Moses, to form, guide, and keep God’s people accountable. It is these words we are to teach others to obey, as we baptise them into the life of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. His word creates houses built on the rock.
Scripture is often a rebuke to our selfishness and sin, which may account for them not being the agenda of a lot of preaching, but they are what Jesus taught his disciples; therefore, what we are to teach others to obey.
“All authority in heaven and earth has been given to me. 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, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”