MEANING TO MEDITATE TO CONFORM: “DISCIPLESHIP”  

This series of blogs on “MEANING TO MEDITATE TO CONFORM” is our invitation to you to come along and slowly think through these words so that we conform to the nature and character of God.  We will present a word each week to meditate on and conform our hearts. 

WORLD DEFINITION 

The world (outside of the Church) does not use this word.  ‘Disciple’ might be used in a general sense to mean someone who learns from a master, but the word ‘discipleship’ seems to be used only in Christian circles and in cults.  The world uses words like ‘apprenticeship’ or ‘on-the-job training,’ but it is not the same.  Admittedly, cults would be outside the Church and therefore a misuse of the word.  This is a word oriented around the Bible. 

CHURCH/FOLK USE 

Discipleship is learning to obey everything Jesus commanded. 

Faith.  Faithfulness.  Obedience.  Sanctification.  Conformity. 

It is Sunday School, Small group Bible studies, Learning at home with parents, VBS, Outside groups brought into church to teach principles, and some sermons.  Most Churches introduce programming to help Christians learn how to be Christians.  This is prep work for being a disciple.  The actual ‘discipleship’ is the doing after the prep work. 

In addition, many times, in the Church ‘discipleship’ means ‘bringing others to Jesus,’ but it is more than this.  That is evangelism and happens outside the Church.  Discipleship happens amongst Christians inside the Church. 

BIBLE/THEOLOGICAL INFLUENCE 

In the Bible, discipleship is seeking to be a human being who follows the example of Jesus Christ through the support of the Holy Spirit.  This is nothing that could be done “in the flesh.” 

Discipleship is learning to obey everything that Jesus commanded and taught through the eyewitness account of those who walked and talked with Him.  It is following a spectrum from the starting point (hearing the Gospel) to all that Jesus commanded.  A disciple works at loyalty to seeking Christ.  Christians learn to increase loyalty to Jesus.  Loyalty is key. 

Key Passage >> 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.” 

How do we increase our loyalty? 

We must first recognize when we are being a poor disciple.  We must accept the direction of the Holy Spirit.  Then, we fall forward into God’s faithfulness and obey.  The key is obedience.  There might be a process of wrestling with God relationally as we identify our rebellion/disobedience and seek to be open to faithfulness with Him.  Do something… even if it’s small.   

Additional thought… you cannot abide in something you do not know well. 

MEANING 

Discipleship is conformity to the person of Jesus Christ according to the level of your loyalty to Jesus in the power of the Holy Spirit.  Discipleship is the action and the persistence in faith. 

This series of blogs on “MEANING TO MEDITATE TO CONFORM” is our invitation to you to come along and slowly think through these words so that we conform to the nature and character of God.  We will present a word each week to meditate on and conform our hearts. 

ADDITIONAL VERSES: 

Luke 9:23: “And He said to all, “If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me.”

John 8:31-32: “So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in Him, “If you abide in My word, you are truly My disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” 

Luke 14:27: “Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.”