Discipleship

Introduction

In the days when revival thrived, believers – including the so called average Christians – were blazing for Christ. They were ready to pronounce Christ wherever they were because they were thoroughly discipled. The two foundations of Christianity are evangelism and discipleship as commanded in Matthew 28:20. All believers are given the mantle to evangelize, but you cannot evangelize when you are not a disciple of Christ. Discipleship is therefore not an option; it is an assignment and also the centrality of our faith. Matthew 28:19-20. It is not an academic exercise; it is a spiritual affair.

WHAT IS DISCIPLESHIP?

Discipleship is the process of producing Christ in a believer’s life. It is a systematic and deliberate process of pruning a believer into maturity. It is a continuous process for life.

The end product of discipleship is found in Romans 8:29: “For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters”.

DISCIPLES & two kingdomS

The two kingdoms applicable to Christians are: the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom in God. The later is what the church represents now (John 3:5). To enter His kingdom in heaven, you must belong to His kingdom on earth – you must be born of God and be a disciple. The primary function of a church is to be like the big brother to other believers helping them to grow in faith.  Discipleship exposes you to the practicality of a believer’s life. It is therefore not an academic exercise rather a spiritual affair. The primary purpose for becoming a Christian and coming to Church is to settle down with God so that He might carve out Christ from our lives.

Two types of rest

Discipleship provides two types of rest for a believer to experience: (1) Deliverance from labour and heavy burden. In Matthew 11:28, Jesus offers to all Christians rest from sorrows, burden and distress, also deliverance from sickness, demonic attacks and other ailments. (2) Becoming a Disciple. The second rest is to be found by a disciple who deliberately follows Jesus: taking up of His yoke, learning from Him and keeping His company daily. Rest from prioritizing mundane things and ungodly pursuits; rest from criminal tendencies and worldly rat race. Read Matthew 11:28-30 from MSG translation.

There is no Christianity without discipleship.  Discipleship is an instrument for terminating the adamic nature and starting Christ’s nature in us. Discipleship alters the personality of any human in Christ to conform him to Christ’s nature. This is the later rest to be found by every disciple.

THE PROCESS OF discipleship

1. Chastisement and correction of believers. In Luke 9:23, Jesus says, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me”.
2. Discipline. Discipleship is used to enforce discipline.
3. Injury and pain. At times, discipleship can cause injury and pain with the purpose of actualizing the believer’s growth.

Conclusion / Mark of Discipleship

Discipleship relationship in Christ makes you speak and live Christ (Act 11:26). You also begin to operate in your ministry (Act 4:32- 40). Prioritizing heavenly things is also a hallmark of a disciple (Col. 3:1-2); and sharing pains of other believers (Gal. 6:2).

It is only a Christian that can be a disciple of Christ! Give your life to Him NOW!