Written by Thomas Tarrants, a minister, writer, and President Emeritus of the C.S. Lewis Institute.
Being a disciple of Jesus and growing in Christlikeness is a wonderfully blessed but very challenging journey through life. This “ongoing process of growth as a disciple” is commonly referred to as discipleship. (Paul uses the equivalent idea of being conformed to the image of Christ and calls believers to the same wholehearted surrender, commitment, and transformation as Jesus. Whatever language we use to describe it, we must reckon with the fact that growing in Christlikeness takes time and will have difficulties along the way. In our “instant everything” culture, we periodically will need to remind ourselves and those we disciple that this process cannot be completed in a matter of weeks or even months; it is the work of a lifetime and will require patient perseverance. With our American tendency toward individualism, we must also remember that it cannot be completed alone. An individualistic, do-it-yourself faith or “solo Christianity” is guaranteed to fail. That is why we must be an actively engaged member of a congregation of God’s people, where we have Christ-centered friends to walk with us and help us grow as disciples. This need has given rise to the word discipling, which “implies the responsibility of disciples helping one another to grow as disciples.” Discipling is a ministry to which all believers are called in some fashion. Someone has said that each of us needs to be in relationship with at least one person who is like a “Paul”—a more mature believer who can disciple (spiritually mentor) us; at least one like “Timothy”—a person younger in the faith whom we can disciple; and one or two peers like “Barnabas” (who encouraged Paul) to cheer us on.
Prayer:
Written by the Nicki Koziarz, a contemporary author and teacher.
O God of Enduring Faithfulness, I believe in You and want to follow You in my actions every day. I want to learn from You, by studying Your word and listening to others teach it. I ask today that You open my eyes. Open my eyes to the Holy Spirit. Soften my heart.. Flow Your holy words through my mouth. Allow me to spread the good word for You as Jesus’ disciples did for Him. Make me into Your holy servant. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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