Elements of Discipleship
by Jeffrey D. Jones
What needs to be part of the life of a person in order
to grow as a disciple? There are probably as many ways
to answer this question as there are disciples, for we
are all unique persons who relate and learn and minister
in unique ways. Recognizing that uniqueness, we can
still provide a framework that honors it yet provides a
basic sense of direction for all disciples. In order for
a person to grow as a disciple of Jesus Christ regular
experiences of deepening, equipping, and ministering are
essential.
Deepening is about relationships—with God, self, and
others. The foundational relationship of the disciple is
with God in Jesus Christ. It is that relationship that
has touched and transformed the person, that
relationship that has led the person to stake a life
claim on being a disciple. Discipleship is a continuing
process of growth in relationship with God as Creator,
Christ, and Spirit—experiencing in ever-deepening ways
the fullness of God. The relationship with one's self is
also a growing relationship for the disciple. The inward
journey is important because it enables us to know
ourselves well enough to understand how God is at work
in us and what God seeks from us. The personal growth
this inward journey brings is essential because it is in
this growth that we set aside the old self and become
more able to serve others in Christ's name.
The third dimension of deepening is growth in
relationship with others in community. The disciple
depends upon the community of faith. Ideally that
community will be the local congregation, but this
doesn't always happen. At times the disciple will need
to seek his or her community of faith in other places,
among those who share the commitments of being a
disciple and with whom the person is able to develop
relationships of depth, integrity, and truth. Without
this kind of community, the disciple cannot live.
Equipping is about preparation. It has two dimensions:
gifts/call and skills/knowledge. The call of a disciple
is, among other things, based in the gifts God has given
us. Part of our uniqueness rests in these gifts, which
have been part of us since we were born. They are what
shape our personality and abilities. Recognizing these
gifts is important to the disciple because they are the
means through which we participate in God's mission in
the world. That is, they are what we bring to the mix.
So knowing and nurturing gifts, which leads to a sense
of call, is the first dimension of equipping. The second
dimension is skills and knowledge. Disciples need to
know certain things and be able to do certain things.
Some of these are for all disciples. All of us, for
example, need to know about the Bible and how to use it
in our lives and faith. Other skills and knowledge are
specific. They are determined by call. The skills and
knowledge we need will differ, for example, if our call
is to work with at-risk youth, provide leadership in a
business, be a teacher, or serve as clergy.
Ministering is about involvement. It is our
participation in God's mission of redeeming all
creation. The gifts we have, the call we receive, the
skills and knowledge we acquire are put to the test in
ministering. This can happen both within and outside the
church. Leaders and teachers are needed within the
community of faith. That may be the call of some. For
most disciples, however, ministering will occur outside
the church, through their various involvements in the
world.
Discipleship Assessment Tool for Individuals
Reflect back on the last several weeks and answer each
of these questions. After you have completed them, note
the areas of significant involvement as well as those in
which you have done little recently. Then, make plans to
enhance the weaker areas of your own growth as a
disciple.
How has deepening been a part of my life these past
weeks?
How has equipping been a part of my life these past
weeks?
How has ministering been a part of my life these past
weeks?
_______________________________________
Featured Resources
A
Praying Congregation: The Art of Teaching Spiritual
Practice
by Jane E. Vennard
Pastors and others who want to develop their skills as
teachers of prayer and spiritual practices will find in
this book not only wisdom for themselves but easily
accessible lesson plans, so that they can share
Vennard’s insights with others while infusing the
activities with their own spirit and creative ideas.
A New and Right Spirit: Creating an
Authentic Church in a Consumer Culture
by Rick Barger
In A New and Right Spirit, Barger argues passionately
for congregations to reexamine what it means to be an
“authentic church” in a culture where authenticity is
hard to come by. He exhorts leaders to return to the
story of the church, which is grounded in Christ and the
resurrection.
Alban Weekly, 2006-01-09
Number 77