Following Christ: The Disciples Journey

According to the dictionary, a "follower" is "someone accepts the leadership of another." A second definition is, "someone who travels behind or pursues another." What an awesome description of a disciple.

Three things are clear from the above definitions.

1. A disciple willingly accepts the leadership of Christ. A leader is someone who rules, guides, and inspires others. Jesus is our ruler, our guide, and our inspiration. This can only be true however, for those who accept and submit to Him.

2. A disciple positions himself behind Christ. He never intends to push himself out ahead of Him. If he finds himself in a forward position he will quickly humble himself by positioning himself in his proper place: following.

3. A disciple is always in hot pursuit of his Lord. Pursuing Christ requires a continual focus and attention on Him. It means never looking back. If one looks back, he's not fit to be a disciple. The children; while in the wilderness, looked back toward Egypt on several occasions. Let it not be said of a follower of Christ that they looked back to their life before they received Christ.

Let's examine several Greek words and see if we can glean some truths that we can apply to our personal walk with Christ.

1. The Greek word used in Matt 9:27-30 for the English word followed is akoloutheo and means, "to follow someone or something in a very determined manner." Even though two men were blind and couldn't see where they were going, they were determined to to follow Christ until they got His attention. Their determination was evidenced in their crying. This word means "to, scream, yell, exclaim, or cry out at the top of one's voice."

2. In 1 Cor. 14:1 Paul encourages the church and even you and I to follow after love. The Greek word used here is dioko, and means "to hotly pursue." It was used to describe a hunter following the tracks of an animal until he finally catches his game.

3. 2 Thess. 3:7 uses the word mimeomai, an old Greek word for an actor or mimic and it implies "an intentional study of the life, deeds, actions, and thoughts of another person in an attempt to fully understand that person then to replicate his attributes in one's own life." Paul uses the Greek word mimetes in Eph. 5:1 which means, "to imitate someone," or "to mimic what you see someone else doing." It was also used to describe actors or performing artists who acted on a stage as a profession.

QUESTION: Based on the above information, in what specific ways can you follow the Lord.

Discipleship: Defining The Terms

If you asked ten different people to explain what they think it means to be a disciple I'm certain you'd get at least five different answers. Several years ago I heard high school students were surveyed and ask several questions regarding biblical topics. One question was, "Who were the disciples?" Not knowing the answer, many students commented by answering that the disciples were the wife's of the apostles.

This lack of understanding regarding discipleship is not only evident among our high school students but it is also apparent within many of our local churches.

Let's examine what discipleship is not. First, discipleship is not a program or event. Second, discipleship is not for a limited time. Third, discipleship is not limited to new converts. No, discipleship is a way of life, it's for our whole life, and it's every believer for everyday of their life.

Jesus said in Luke 9:23, "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me."

Simply stated, discipleship means learning from and following a teacher. I'm convinced the most important evidence of God's work in the world is in the existence of committed disciples. It's important to note that discipleship is not an option, it's actually a command.

Listen to Jesus' words;

19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20  Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen (Matt 28:19-20.)

According to Jesus conversions are not enough. We think we're doing kingdom business when we win others to Christ. Winning others to Christ is only part of what we're commissioned to in Matthew 28. Leading others to Christ is really just the beginning of fulfilling the Great Commission. The biggest and most difficult task is making disciples.

QUESTION: If discipleship is at the core of of God's work in the world why is it that it's not at the core of what local churches focus on?