biblical foundation of discipleship

I. Lines are drawn in the church. It’s apparent even when a simple question regarding the religion to which one adheres. Those that are deemed “Committed Christians” may be more prone to state their religious affiliation as being “A Follower of Jesus.” While others who are not as committed may refer to themselves as “Christian.” America is a “Christian” country, but in actuality this is not a true assessment of the majority of Americans belief. This idea illustrates the “Disciples are Committed Believers” model of discipleship, which has been my experience growing up in the church. Individuals extremely dedicated to serving God are true disciples, while others who simply fill a seat on a given Sunday are not considered dedicated or true disciples. While this was never blatantly preached from the pulpit it was definitely felt. Much was required from those who were known to be the committed Christian, while those that simply filled the pews were rarely urged to step out of their comfort zone. Those that showed interest were given places of leadership and additional training, while those that
I became aware this was my view of discipleship when I was introduced to a different model in the summer of 2004. This was prior to being sent to Ukraine with four other twenty-somethings to run English camps. I was sitting in a session led by a missionary of the organization. He had a few individuals stand along an imaginary line in front of everyone. In the middle was a cross which signified the point of conversion. The far right was a mature Christian, and the far left was an extreme pagan. He spoke of our time throughout the summer we would encounter different individuals at various places along this spectrum. Some individuals may move from the left side of unbelieving to the point of conversion. However, that movement isn’t any more important than someone on the right side, who already believes, moving a bit further towards being a mature Christian. He spoke of how our interactions with different people would cause a movement on this scale. We shouldn’t simply focus upon the conversion point, but invest in those that desire to grow in their maturity in Christ as well. This was a different perspective for me at that point in my life. It looked more like the model of “Disciples are Converts who Are in the Process of Discipleship.” This has shaped my concept of missions in an extraordinary way. This marked a turning point in my understanding of evangelism, missions, and ultimately my life. Prior to this I had viewed sharing the gospel verbally with an individual as extremely important, but since this point I have seen how my life is an example to those I encounter. I was to love, encourage, and interact with the church leaders in Ukraine just as much as the unbelievers I would meet.
II. In the first century a variety of discipleship relationships existed. Jesus worked within the cultural framework he lived as discipleship was not a new concept. It wasn’t uncommon for a teacher or master in some area to have a group of followers gather around them physically in hopes of learning the specific teachings the master offered. The discipleship relationships within the nation of Israel were all developed as a means to direct individuals to a closer walk with God (61). The discipleship relationships within Israel during the Old Testament were found among the prophets, priests and scribes. These relationships held three common characteristics of some aspect of service, being chosen of by God, and these human discipleship relationships emerged during crisis periods of Israel’s history. These were the type of discipleship relationships the Israelite person was aware. John the Baptist signified a discipleship type relationship with his followers as individuals gathered around him to learn from him. Discipleship relationships can also be found in the Greco-Roman world during the first century. The word in Greek, mathetes, was used to refer to a pupil, a disciple and or a learner (72). A learner simply attached himself to a great teacher and learned a specific subject or skill. A disciple or adherent applied himself to an entire way of life which could ultimately change the entire outlook upon life (75). The master is examined to determine the type of discipleship relationship. Disciples existed of a great teacher, or a great religious leader, or those persons whom imitation of their conduct in life is worthy. Jesus embodied each of these characteristics. He wasn’t merely just an intelligent religious figure who could explain parts of the Torah more clearly. He also wasn’t merely one whom people should imitate in behavior, nor was he just a great teacher. Jesus was all of these things and to follow him completely a commitment must be made to each of these characteristics: His teaching, his interpretation of the Torah, and his behavior. This results in a complete life-change with an extreme reordering of priorities and ultimately the acquirement of new worldview. Discipleship was defined by the master. Jesus was not merely a religious figure, but the Son of God. He taught with authority unlike the mere teachers of the law (Mt 7:28-29). Jesus words were the very words of God and thus had ultimate authority in every aspect of an individual’s life.
The call to discipleship was the call to bear ones cross and count the cost of deciding to believe and following the ways of Jesus. One must truly believe Jesus and this belief would be marked by abiding in what he said, loving others who believe, and bearing fruit (134). Key aspects of Jesus discipleship are his teachings. When his teachings are obeyed one is released from their bondage to sin (Jn 8:31-32). Not only should his disciples know (and abide) in his teachings, but they should be obeyed. Prayer is also a key component as it is a way to maintain communication with Jesus once he left earth (138). The Great Commission is a call to make disciples of unbelievers through teaching them Jesus’ teachings, and calling them to obey the teachings of Jesus, and be obedient to Jesus who is accessible through the gift of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:18-20). It is not necessary to make disciples of those who are already believers. Once one believes in Jesus they are his disciple, and thus discipleship simply becomes a matter of growth.
III. While obvious continuity exists between the gospel accounts subtle differences arise which draw attention to different components of being a disciple and discipleship. The disciples are real and a process of growth is clearly seen in Matthew’s account. In Mark’s account the reader places views Jesus from the perspective of the Twelve as they watch in awe as Jesus perform miracles, stumble through understanding the teachings of Jesus, and ultimately as they watch in confusion as Jesus faces death. In Luke’s account the concept of “The Way” first emerges. This emphasis leads to an understanding of the cost of becoming a disciple of Jesus as Luke depicts Jesus’ teachings of bearing ones cross, hating family, and leaving every possession. The gospel of Luke reminds us that various components of this life can take the place in our life that belongs solely to Jesus. While some of these things are good (family, education), they shouldn’t take the place of Jesus in our life. John examines the important role of belief at the core of discipleship. He also gives us ways to sift out true believers from false believers. It’s not enough to know and see something is true of Jesus teachings. An additional step needs to be taken in belief. Many crowds saw Jesus perform miracles and believed him, and yet Jesus did not give himself to them (John 2:23-25) because they had a false understanding of him. This is a challenge to seek and know Jesus for who he truly he is and what he truly did, and not what we think he did or who we think he should be.
I feel like I often fall into understanding Jesus from what others tell me, or what I perceive from others around me. I have expectations for who Jesus is and what he should be in my life. However, this means I do not rely upon the Spirit’s work in my life to reveal himself to me. I begin to depend upon what others of told me and my own understanding of Scripture instead of letting the Spirit work in my life to reveal what Jesus desires. Instead of allowing space for my own experiences there is pressure to experience the same things others have. I see what is happening with others and I attempt to cultivate this in my own life and heart instead of allowing the one who created me to have a unique relationship with me.
IV. Pentecost marked a beginning of a new type of discipleship as seen in the writings of Luke. In Acts the word ‘disciple’ refers to the community of those who believe in Jesus (256). The church becomes a gathering of disciples or believers (257). The same term is used in Acts to refer to the believers and thus continuity exists between Jesus’ earthly ministry, as depicted in the gospels, and the Church. The core of Jesus’ form of discipleship remains the same, however, as discipleship differs in function after the resurrection of Jesus. In Acts, Believers in Jesus are pulled into a community which has definite responsibilities, expectations, and privileges for those who adhere to the faith (271). Prior to his death and resurrection Jesus gave a few directions for a time when he would no longer be present physically on earth. Jesus exhorted his teachings to be followed, that the Believers be unified through the Spirit, and the Believers would be a witness of Jesus, and that Believers would wait in anticipation for his return (261). The word, ‘disciple,’ conjured up conceptions of following after a master and in this case, Jesus. In the early days of the Church this was an important factor which provided identity to the new community of Believers. The directions Jesus gave to his disciples are expressed verbally by Jesus in the Gospels, and then are carried out by the Apostles in the book of Acts, and shown in the early community in the Epistles.
Certain teachings of Jesus were directed specifically towards the Apostles and the role they played in the early Church. However, certain teachings in the gospels apply to all Believers today. It is still important to note Jesus taught within a specific time and place. Universal truths are gleaned from what he taught, but were expressed within a unique culture.
Unlike the Gospels and the book of Acts, the word “disciple” does not occur consistently. However, the expression and idea of discipleship is woven throughout the Epistles. The master of the disciples, Jesus, was no longer physically present. How does one be a disciple of a person who can no longer be seen? The Epistles help answer this question as the early Church works out how to live and associate now that they are brothers and sisters of a new family. What does discipleship look like today? In a few ways drastically different then what is depicted in the Gospels. However, much of the discussion on what discipleship looks like today is based upon definition and ones own personal experience. More often then not in the Church today discipleship refers to the relationship amongst Believers and not the relationship between the Master and follower. Today the word ‘discipleship’ conjures up images of how-to books, specific programs, activities and a list of things to check off. But, discipleship is a way of life. It seems the spiritual formation movement is an attempt to move away from this legalistic and institutionalized approach and more towards walking in the ways of Jesus through listening to the Holy Spirit. The spiritual formation program seems to have more of an emphasis upon the individual and the uniqueness of the individual in their relationship with God. While the discipleship movement of the last century may have been an attempt to secure the same result (following Jesus), the spiritual formation is a new movement which has reemerged to address a deep craving and need within the Church. In both discipleship and spiritual formation the goal is sanctification. The goal is to grow more and more in the image of Christ and the ways that God originally intended us to live and relate to himself and others.
V. Expectations are powerful. Assumptions are closely followed by disappointment. We need to have the right expectations and assumptions of discipleship, or disappointment and disenchantment will ensue. A firm understanding of discipleship as Jesus designed is of utmost importance for those in positions of leadership in the Church. Discipleship in the Church today has been construed to be more of a relationship between other disciples rather than a relationship with the master, Jesus. While relationship with other believers is important, ultimately the goal of discipleship is to follow in the ways of Jesus. The uniqueness of the individual is lost as certain programs become institutionalized which bring with them expected results from the completion of checklists. Individuals believe a specific outcome will occur if all these steps are followed (340). Discipleship is not something to be completed, but it’s an ongoing process. It shouldn’t be deconstructed into a checklist of sorts, but it should be a development of a way of thinking, or an attitude for all of life. It’s not just doing good things or being the right person. It is about following Jesus and living life the way that he would and did.
The challenge for those in ministry today is to creatively realign the Church’s conception of discipleship. My limited experience causes me to think quite a few individuals in the western Church are looking for a quick fix or a controllable program to employ with hopes of easily and efficiently gaining spiritually maturity. Instead of relying upon the Spirit of God which resides within all Believers, the Christian is looking for humanly developed methods to follow. A person is not following the Spirit residing within him, but following an idea. Discipleship is following a real person and first and foremost we are disciples of Jesus. At least this is what I have gleaned from reading the book, Following the Master. Discipleship shouldn’t be packaged as leadership training as discipleship is for all who adhere to the teachings of Jesus and not just leaders within the Church. It is important to emphasis each individuals ability to follow Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit within the community of Believers. We should view each day of our life as a chance to follow Jesus and realize we are his disciples and are in a discipleship relationship with him.