What is a Disciple? First, we may want to ask ourselves why it is important to know what a disciple is. In the Bible, it is recorded that Jesus said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20 NIV
So, we have established the most important reason to find out more about what a disciple is - Jesus told us to make them! I don’t know about you, but when I set out to make something, whether it be a meal for my family, a craft project with my kids, or homemade cleaning supplies to satisfy my inner “greenie,” I don’t jump in without first finding out a little about what it is I want to make.
Jesus says to make disciples by baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (which Heartland does in spectacular fashion at our annual baptism service at Kill Creek Park - hope you were there to join us a few weeks ago) and teaching them to obey what he has taught us through the Bible.
My daddy taught me that the first place you should go when you don’t know what something means is the dictionary. In my techie world that has translated into the nifty Merriam-Webster Dictionary app on my iPad (although I haven’t let my daughter in on the fact that it is available digitally - she still has to go to the beloved book with the red cover). Merriam-Webster defines:
Disciple: (noun) 1. one who accepts and assists in spreading the doctrines of another: as one of the twelve in the inner circle of Christ’s followers according to the Gospel accounts. Merriam-Webster Dictionary
So, we are to accept the teachings of Christ and assist in spreading those teachings to others as his inner circle did. Looks like what Jesus told us to do, doesn’t it. But, what does this look like in us?
According to Greg Ogden in his book Discipleship Essentials: A Guide to Building Your Life in Christ, “a disciple is one who responds in faith and obedience to the gracious call to follow Jesus Christ.” He goes on to say that, “being a disciple is a lifelong process of dying to self while allowing Jesus Christ to come alive in us.”
There is a more local reason to figure out what this whole disciple thing is about. At Heartland we have a strategic plan. Part of that strategic plan involves one Big Hairy Audacious Goal (which we tend to just call the BHAG): “To Advance a Discipling Movement in Our City by Inviting Everyone Into a Life-Changing Relationship Over the Next Five Years.”
Since our leadership has narrowed down what our focus as a community is to be over the next five years to one goal (not to mention calling it out as big and hairy) we should probably take notice and find out how we can get involved.
We have just completed a four week journey on Sundays called Life Changing exploring this further. If you weren’t able to make it to the services or you want a refresher on what it is all about, check out the podcasts on Heartland’s website.
How would it look for you to “respond in faith and obedience to the gracious call to follow Jesus Christ?”
