Discipleship

Discipleship is simply the process of becoming more and more like Jesus in our attitudes, behavior and character. This process is life-long! We never arrive (until we finally see Jesus face to face). I hope my articles help you think about Christianity and eventually discover how you can become a disciple of Jesus Christ.

I trust you will find on this site for tons of information about how to become an authentic disciple and follower of Jesus Christ. Christianity is a process of becoming… it’s a marathon, or a journey rather than a sprint. Take a few steps toward Jesus today.

• A Model for Christianity [ Go ]
• Being Missional vs. Missions Activity [ Go ]
• This Video is a Strong Foundation for Discipleship [ Go ]
• The Missional Church: How Discipleship Ought to Be [ Go ]
• What is the Gospel? [ Go ]
• An Early Creed of the Faith; the Gospel [ Go ]
• What Part of the Gospel is Optional? [ Go ]
• Making Disciples Jesus’ Way [ Go ]
• Here is a Brief History of Christianity [ Go ]
• The Basics of New Testament Greek [ Go ]
• Here is a simple Bible Study Form – Chapter a Day / Verse a Day [ Go ]
• How to Study the Bible [ Go ]
• Instant Bible Studies [ Go ]
• A Devotional Tool for Studying the Bible [ Go ]
• The Story of William Borden [ Go ]

Francis Chan on Making Disciples:

Multiply Disciples – Francis Chan has a series of video discussions that help us on the journey toward making disciples. There is an app (for both iOS or Android) that helps you multiply disciples, which includes these teaching videos and a digital copy of Francis Chan’s book.

Definition of a Disciple:

I have been researching just what a disciple of Jesus is supposed to look like, perhaps you’ll take a look at my posts on discipleship as well as notes from books I have been reading:

1. Responding to Conflict Biblically
2. How to Teach the Bible
3. Reading Notes on Church is a Team Sport
4. Reading Notes on Transforming Discipleship
5. What Should a Disciple Look Like? 2017 – Scott Chafee
6. What Does a Disciple Look Like? 2011 – Rick Leineweber
7. How to Spot a Disciple of Jesus 2006
8. The Marks of a Disciple 2012
9. Are You Qualified for Service?
10. The Discipleship Method of Jesus
11. Disciples Bear Fruit – Secret of the Vine
12. The LifeShapes Discipleship Strategy
13. Notes on the Disciple-Making Pastor
14. Notes on Simple Church
15. Discipleship and Grace
16. Disciples Know How to Hear from God
17. The Purpose of Small Groups
18. Why We Need Small Groups
19. The Values of a Relational Leader
20. Mentoring 101
21. What to Do With the Bible
22. Ten Things You Need to Know About Discipleship
23. Truths on Which Churches Build
24. The Biggest Obstacles in Starting Small Groups
25. Tips for Memorizing Scripture
26. Sermon-Based Small Groups
27. Free Market Small Groups
28. Instant Bible Studies
29. Leading a Small Group
30. A Devotional Study Form
31. Why We Avoid Small Groups
32. Everyone Needs Recovery
33. Properly Interpreting Scripture
34. What are Some Old and New Christian Heresies?
35. You Have a Calling
36. You Are Equipped for Ministry
37. Leaders Mentor Others

Why Bother With Discipleship?

I recently read a great article by Dallas Willard regarding the issue of discipleship. He challenges the modern idea that we can be “vampire Christians” like saying to Jesus… I’d like a little of Your blood, please, for salvation, but I do not care to be your student or to develop Your character. In fact, just let me live my life and I’ll see you in heaven. Willard quotes A. W. Tozer, that salvation apart from obedience is unknown in the sacred Scriptures.

He stresses the importance of becoming an apprentice of Jesus, mainly to avoid the practice of sin, and that it is by spiritual transformation that the “cup becomes clean on the inside” and the “tree will bear good fruit.” This is far from assenting to a list of propositions regarding the Christian faith. Walking with Jesus in discipleship is the only way to exercise a power that is beyond us in dealing with problems and evils that afflict our earthly existence.

He ends the article with this quote:

But, someone will say, can I not be saved–get into heaven when I die–without any of this? Perhaps you can. God’s goodness is so great, I am sure, that He will let you in if He can find any basis at all to do so. But you might wish to think about what your life amounts to before you die, about what kind of person you are becoming, and whether you really would be comfortable for eternity in the presence of one whose company you have not found especially desirable for the few hours and days of earthly existence. And he is, after all, One who says to you now, “Follow me!”