Dear Reader,
If you’ve been walking with Christ for any amount of time, chances are you’ve heard about the call to “make disciples.” It’s a foundational part of the Christian life, rooted in Jesus’ final words before He ascended. But what does discipleship actually look like in day-to-day life? What does it mean to live in a way that truly reflects the heart of Jesus?
These questions led me to dig deeper. I didn’t want to just assume I knew what discipleship meant. I wanted to understand the qualities that mark a true follower of Christ and how those qualities play out in real life.
Here’s what I found.
First, discipleship begins with a determination to be wherever God calls us to be. Jesus didn’t call us to stay comfortable or blend in. He told us to move toward others, to engage, to share the hope we have in Him. The Great Commission in Matthew 28 is not a suggestion. It’s a directive. Following Jesus means being active participants in His mission.
Next, disciples make time to show others the way of Jesus. You don’t need a theology degree to help someone understand the Bible. You just need to be faithful in passing along what you’ve learned. Paul’s letters to Timothy and Titus make it clear: we are responsible for pouring into others and helping them grow in their understanding of God’s truth.
A disciple puts God above all else. This isn’t about feelings that come and go. It’s about choosing Him totally. Scripture calls us to love God with all our heart, soul, and strength. That means pushing aside distractions and idols and letting God take the central place in our lives.
Of the utmost importance is that we’re called to love people. And not just the easy ones. Jesus said people will recognize us as His followers by how we love others. That love shows up in how we treat strangers, how we listen, how we serve, and how we forgive.
Disciples don’t just blend in. They allow their light to shine bright! Jesus called us the light of the world, meant to shine so that others can see God through us. The way we live, love, and handle adversity should all point to something. Someone greater than ourselves.
One of the most challenging parts of discipleship is learning to give up something or sacrifice for our Father. Jesus told His followers to take up their cross daily. That doesn’t sound easy, and it’s not. But it’s a daily invitation to let go of self-centered thinking and live for something far more meaningful.
Being rooted in Scripture is another key. You can’t disciple anyone well if you don’t know the voice of God through the teaching of the Old and New Testaments. The more we abide in the Bible, the more we’re shaped by it. And the more we’re shaped by it, the better we can point others to the truth.
Koinonia is the next key to discipleship. It’s a Greek word that occurs 20 times in the Bible. Koinonia's primary meaning is “fellowship, sharing in common, communion.” It plays a huge role. We weren’t designed to grow in isolation. The early church modeled this beautifully eating together, praying, sharing life. Being part of a faith community strengthens our walk and helps us sharpen one another.
Finally, living as a disciple means loving through service. Not just when we’re at church or on a short-term trip, but every single day. Wherever we are, we’re ambassadors for Christ. The people around us are watching, and we get to show them what it means to live with hope, purpose, and love.
Discipleship isn’t a one-size-fits-all formula. It’s a life of intentionality, love, and truth. It’s walking closely with Jesus and inviting others to do the same. And while it requires sacrifice, it also brings the deepest kind of joy, the joy of helping someone else discover what life with Christ is all about.
If you’d like to go deeper as a disciple of Jesus, try to put these precepts into practice one by one each month. Eventually it will come naturally. With intentionality and prayer, God will use us to make a difference in the community and the world.
James
Rev. James A. Williams
Senior Pastor
Grace Resurrection Methodist Church
If you’ve been walking with Christ for any amount of time, chances are you’ve heard about the call to “make disciples.” It’s a foundational part of the Christian life, rooted in Jesus’ final words before He ascended. But what does discipleship actually look like in day-to-day life? What does it mean to live in a way that truly reflects the heart of Jesus?
These questions led me to dig deeper. I didn’t want to just assume I knew what discipleship meant. I wanted to understand the qualities that mark a true follower of Christ and how those qualities play out in real life.
Here’s what I found.
First, discipleship begins with a determination to be wherever God calls us to be. Jesus didn’t call us to stay comfortable or blend in. He told us to move toward others, to engage, to share the hope we have in Him. The Great Commission in Matthew 28 is not a suggestion. It’s a directive. Following Jesus means being active participants in His mission.
Next, disciples make time to show others the way of Jesus. You don’t need a theology degree to help someone understand the Bible. You just need to be faithful in passing along what you’ve learned. Paul’s letters to Timothy and Titus make it clear: we are responsible for pouring into others and helping them grow in their understanding of God’s truth.
A disciple puts God above all else. This isn’t about feelings that come and go. It’s about choosing Him totally. Scripture calls us to love God with all our heart, soul, and strength. That means pushing aside distractions and idols and letting God take the central place in our lives.
Of the utmost importance is that we’re called to love people. And not just the easy ones. Jesus said people will recognize us as His followers by how we love others. That love shows up in how we treat strangers, how we listen, how we serve, and how we forgive.
Disciples don’t just blend in. They allow their light to shine bright! Jesus called us the light of the world, meant to shine so that others can see God through us. The way we live, love, and handle adversity should all point to something. Someone greater than ourselves.
One of the most challenging parts of discipleship is learning to give up something or sacrifice for our Father. Jesus told His followers to take up their cross daily. That doesn’t sound easy, and it’s not. But it’s a daily invitation to let go of self-centered thinking and live for something far more meaningful.
Being rooted in Scripture is another key. You can’t disciple anyone well if you don’t know the voice of God through the teaching of the Old and New Testaments. The more we abide in the Bible, the more we’re shaped by it. And the more we’re shaped by it, the better we can point others to the truth.
Koinonia is the next key to discipleship. It’s a Greek word that occurs 20 times in the Bible. Koinonia's primary meaning is “fellowship, sharing in common, communion.” It plays a huge role. We weren’t designed to grow in isolation. The early church modeled this beautifully eating together, praying, sharing life. Being part of a faith community strengthens our walk and helps us sharpen one another.
Finally, living as a disciple means loving through service. Not just when we’re at church or on a short-term trip, but every single day. Wherever we are, we’re ambassadors for Christ. The people around us are watching, and we get to show them what it means to live with hope, purpose, and love.
Discipleship isn’t a one-size-fits-all formula. It’s a life of intentionality, love, and truth. It’s walking closely with Jesus and inviting others to do the same. And while it requires sacrifice, it also brings the deepest kind of joy, the joy of helping someone else discover what life with Christ is all about.
If you’d like to go deeper as a disciple of Jesus, try to put these precepts into practice one by one each month. Eventually it will come naturally. With intentionality and prayer, God will use us to make a difference in the community and the world.
James
Rev. James A. Williams
Senior Pastor
Grace Resurrection Methodist Church
Posted in Rev. James Williams Weekly Blog
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