What is Discipleship?
People often discuss discipleship from two perspectives. On the personal level, discipleship is the ongoing process by which a Christian progressively learns to follow Jesus in every area of life—bringing desires, thoughts, words, and actions under his lordship. As it relates to our ministry to others, discipleship is the intentional process by which we help others follow Jesus in their own settings and circumstances, walking with them as they grow in faith and obedience. In short, discipleship involves both growing as a follower of Jesus ourselves and guiding others to become faithful followers of Jesus as well. Following Jesus, therefore, requires careful attention to both our core responsibilities and our core purposes as defined in Scripture.
Our core responsibilities are the contexts in which we are called to live out our discipleship in everyday life:
Privately – cultivating habits of Bible reading, prayer, meditation, and personal holiness so that our hearts remain aligned with God and his Word.
In our Families – leading, loving, and serving those closest to us with Christlike humility, providing spiritual guidance and care for spouses, children, and extended family.
In our Local Churches – participating actively in the life of the church through fellowship, studying God’s Word together, praying together, taking the Lord’s Supper, and worshiping as a gathered body.
In our Neighborhoods – showing kindness, practicing hospitality, and naturally sharing the gospel in our day-to-day interactions with those around us.
In Broader Society, including the Workplace – modeling integrity, diligence, and godliness in every responsibility, so that even in ordinary labor and civic life we bear witness to Christ.
Our core purposes remind us not just where we live out discipleship, but what we are striving for as followers of Jesus:
Godly Character – growing in Christlikeness as the Spirit transforms us from the inside out, producing the fruit of the Spirit in our lives.
Service – meeting needs with humility and love, imitating the example of Jesus who came not to be served but to serve.
Evangelism – bearing witness to the death and resurrection of Jesus and calling people to repent, believe, and find new life in him.
Discipleship – coming alongside other Christians to help establish them in the faith, encouraging them to follow Jesus faithfully in the places where God has put them.
Worship – loving and valuing God above all else, offering our lives as living sacrifices to his glory.
In this way, discipleship is both practical and purposeful. It speaks to the ordinary, day-to-day details of how we live, and at the same time it directs us toward God’s purposes for our lives as outlined in Scripture.