The word ‘discipleship’ gets thrown around a lot. We talk about needing more of it and how we really need to focus on it. Because sure, we all have an idea of what it implies.
But to truly understand what is expected of us, we need to start with the basics, and that means defining what discipleship is: ‘Following in the ways of someone else.’
So if we expound upon the idea of ‘following in the ways of someone else’ – and how someone evolves from an attendee to a leader – we realize that discipleship is a journey, and one that we as church leaders must be sure to facilitate: How we grow people, take the church beyond its walls, and beyond any given Sunday; how we welcome people in, keep them engaged, equip them, and send them out to do the work of the ministry. But most importantly: How and where does discipleship begin?
As church leaders, should continually be focused on discipling the people God entrusts to our ministry. However, we often forget that the discipleship process should begin with us and how we lead our people. We must disciple them well and teach them how to do the same before we can make disciples of others.
So to better equip you to equip others on their journey, we’ve rounded up a few of our favorite ‘how-to’ articles to start you in the right direction.
Intentional discipleship needs a plan. It needs a vision of what we can become, of what life in the Kingdom as a Christ-like person can be. We need intention – the decision that Jesus models for us is what we want and intend to become. And we need the means to get there. We need a strategy made up of spiritual disciplines and godly relationships.
God empowers us to become the sort of people whose impulses are bent toward love, and this happens when we create space in our lives to know God intimately. Justice and spirituality go together! What if we all chose to allow the life of God to live in and among us?
Intentional discipleship is a church filled will people who are becoming more like Jesus. When your church makes the commitment to be intentional in your disciple-making process and equip the saints for ministry, you can expect spiritual maturity to change the conversation, address problems, and draw seekers.
Often, we all know what we want, but aren’t sure how to get from Point A to Point B. But just as we have all heard the adage about journeys beginning with a single step, we must also recognize that this journey begins with a single person: ourselves.
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