I’m reading a pre-release copy of a book written by a new friend, Dr. Bobby Harrington. If you cut Bobby, he bleeds discipleship. In fact, he’s one of the few people who’ve taken the time to define it.
Disciple: A disciple is someone who is following Jesus, being changed by Jesus, and is committed to the mission of Jesus.
For years, I’ve been saying a disciple is a “learner and follower of Jesus.” I think Dr. Harrington’s definition better . . . it goes further. To me, “following Jesus” starts with obedience and connection. I’m trying to do what I know He wants me to do based on what I read in the Bible. Not only does God’s Word show me right from wrong, it casts a vision for how to proactively live and love like Jesus. Forgiving, accepting, challenging . . . Jesus’ life story shows us how and gives us permission. But connection carries it a step further. Back when everyone was wearing “What would Jesus Do” bracelets, it hit me that so much of what we face in today’s culture didn’t exist in Jesus’ day. He didn’t have to choose between G, PG, PG-13 and R-rated movies. He didn’t have to choose his internet content. He didn’t have children to discipline. So, I came up with a better slogan, “What would Jesus have me do?” I talk to Jesus, ask His guidance, and seek His peace (that passes all understanding) about these kinds of decisions. Doesn’t that strike you as more like what Jesus would want from one of His disciples? Personal interaction over invoking rules. That’s following Jesus.
“Being changed by Jesus” show that that personal interaction is sinking in. Jesus accepted you just as you were but He’s not leaving you that way. As you forgive, you become more forgiving. As your gratitude for what He’s done for you grows, you become less anxious and develop a more grateful heart. As you realize how lost you’d be without Him, you become more sensitive to people who are lost. And then slowly, or sometimes more dramatically, you find yourself interested in the spiritual well-being of other people. You realize God has put them into your life for a reason. You’re conscious of how they’re watching you and listening to the things you say. Before you know it, you’re praying for them and maybe even telling them your faith story or inviting them to church. Similarly, you might struggle to let your church’s empty offering plate pass, so you go online and sign up to give regularly. Or you might volunteer to serve at your church and BAM! . . . you realize you’re “committed to the mission of Jesus!”
So, do you follow Jesus? . . . to the degree that He’s changing you? . . . that you’re becoming more like Him? Does following Him involve helping others to find and follow Him?
Scripture: By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. (John 13:35)
Mentor Tip: At Radical Mentoring, we use the terms “mentoring” and “disciple-making” interchangeably. Radical Mentoring is a disciple-making system and we never apologize for that. We simply believe that calling it “mentoring” opens the door for more men to step forward and get involved. Many people with bad or irrelevant church experiences think discipleship and disciple-making is a course you take or another Bible study. We’ve seen God bring huge life-change through “life-on-life” mentoring that begins in a men’s mentoring group . . . just like yours!
