Why Discipleship Matters: A Biblical Perspective

Introduction

I am not sure if this is a widespread issue, but here in the Texas Panhandle, it is challenging to find a church that doesn’t include discipleship as a key term in its mission statement. This isn’t necessarily a negative aspect, but I believe it is often included simply because it is expected. It sounds appealing, but are we genuinely focused on making disciples and promoting spiritual growth among our church members? I have personally observed some churches claim to emphasize discipleship, yet very few, if any, individuals are being discipled outside of Sunday morning and perhaps a Wednesday night class.

There seems to be a lack of seriousness regarding discipleship, or at least a lack of understanding of its vital role within the church. Many, I fear, have reduced discipleship to a one-hour Wednesday night Bible study held in a large group, but it encompasses much more than this. Discipleship is essential for the life of every Christian, and when it falters within the church, its members will struggle as well. Let’s examine four ways in which discipleship fosters healthy church growth.

It Fosters Obedience

Matthew 28:18-20 “And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on 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, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

At the end of Matthew’s gospel, there was one clear command left by Jesus to the twelve: “Go therefore and make disciples.” Simply put, to be a disciple means being committed to the teachings of Jesus Christ and obeying them. Paul Tautges put it this way, “A disciple of Jesus Christ is one who is committed to a lifelong process of growing in obedience to his Master’s commands and, by doing so, becomes like Him.” Discipleship is a lifelong journey of becoming more like Jesus each day and in every aspect.

Attached to this command to make disciples is also a three-pronged view of the discipleship process: Go, Baptize, and Teach. To “go” means we must be intentional about discipleship, actively seeking people to disciple and being proactive in their lives. While we don’t run around with bowls of water to dunk everyone’s heads, to “baptize” means making converts, caring for people’s souls, and prioritizing their salvation above all else. Lastly, to “teach” simply means that we instruct people on all of Christ’s commands and how to live them out. Ultimately, discipleship should cultivate obedience in both the disciple and the discipler.

It Fosters Growth in Christ

John 15:5-8 “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.”

In Mark 8:34-35, Jesus makes a profound statement about discipleship: “If you want to be my disciple, you must give up self-interest, pick up your cross, and follow me (my emphasis).” According to John’s gospel, apart from Christ, we cannot bear good fruit and thus cannot be true disciples. Therefore, growth in Christ is the essential aspect of all discipleship; without it, we do not genuinely make disciples. It has been said, “The true Christian life is neither a so-called progress that carries us away from Christ to newer masters, nor a dogged and stupid obstinacy that will not budge from the past and stagnates in its immobility, but a growth in Christ.”Growth in Christ should always be our primary focus in discipleship; anything else will result in stagnation or a search for new masters.

In 1 Peter 2:21 it says, “For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.” Christ has left us with His example to follow, indicating that we should strive to walk in His ways if we are to be true disciples of Christ. Suffering is a reality for us as Christians, but when we can come alongside others, and they come alongside us, the suffering becomes much more bearable. This leads us to the next point of discipleship.

It Fosters Community

John 13:34-35 “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Discipleship should always be conducted in a manner that promotes growth within the church community. The writer of Hebrews says in chapter 10 verses 24-25, “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” Dietrich Bonhoeffer says, “It was the Word made flesh who had called them, who had created the visible, bodily community. Those who had been called could no longer remain hidden; they were the light which has to shine, the city on a hill which is bound to be seen.” Christ has not called us into isolation, but into a community of brothers and sisters, intending for us to love and build one another up.

Without a visible community of believers around us to help, teach, hold us accountable, and most importantly, love us, we cannot grow in a healthy way. We need each other. Discipleship involves being part of a larger community of like-minded believers, all striving to become more like Jesus in their daily lives. If our discipleship does not promote growth in the wider community, we are failing our brothers and sisters in Christ and fostering a mindset of self-reliance.

It Fosters Reliance on God

2 Corinthians 3:18 “And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart.”

Lastly, but not exhaustively, our discipleship should foster a reliance on the God who created us and loves us. Ed Hindson put it this way, “True evangelical faith is the submission of oneself to that which he believes. It is trust in the reality of the Person of Christ. It is coming to Him to meet one’s need.” True discipleship and care in the church should aim to grow one another’s faith in Christ, to a dependence on Him, rather than on oneself for all their needs. In John 15:5, Jesus explicitly states, “Apart from me you can do nothing (my emphasis).” If our greatest need is not Jesus, it will be someone or something else, which will ultimately fail us.

We know that we are to become more like Christ in our daily lives, but are we doing this out of sheer strength, pulling ourselves up by our bootstraps and dusting ourselves off, or are we relying on the Spirit to work these things out in our lives? If we are more reliant on ourselves, we will exhaust ourselves and be driven to despair. However, if we depend on Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit, we will be inspired by the victory Christ has already secured for us. Our discipleship must drive more dependence on Christ and less dependence on ourselves or the programs we are in.

Conclusion

In conclusion, discipleship is a commandment from Christ to go, baptize, and teach, all of which should foster obedience, growth, community, and faith in Christ alone for the glory of God alone. Intentional discipleship and the local community of the church are vital for the life of every believer; without them, individuals grow more like the world instead of more like Christ. Be intentional about your conversations, the way you care for one another, and how you counsel those in your care. Ask yourself: what type of faith am I fostering through my words and actions toward others?

For more information, email rdawson28@outlook.com or visit www.redeemercare.net

Tautges, Paul. 2009. Counsel One Another: A Theology of Personal Discipleship. Leominster: Day One.

Spence-Jones, H. D. M., ed. 1909. Colossians. The Pulpit Commentary. London; New York: Funk & Wagnalls Company.

Bonhoeffer, Dietrich. 2015. Discipleship. Edited by Victoria J. Barnett. Translated by Barbara Green and Reinhard Krauss. Reader’s Edition. Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press.

Hindson, Ed. 1979. “Biblical View of Man: The Basis for Nouthetic Confrontation.” Edited by Howard A. Eyrich and Jay E. Adams. The Journal of Pastoral Practice 3, no. 1: 53.