Lifelong Discipleship

Healthy Churches make lifelong disciples who make disciples.

By Cara Garrity, Development Coordinator, Lynn, Massachusetts, U.S.

What comes to mind when you hear the words disciple and discipleship? Perhaps images of Jesus with His twelve disciples come to mind. Maybe you think of a discipleship class that you have taken or facilitated. Maybe you think of the time you began to think of yourself as a disciple of Jesus.

Here’s one way we can describe discipleship:

Christian discipleship is the disciplined habit of thinking and acting in Christ. Discipleship is growing closer to Christ, becoming more like Christ, and growing deeper into Christian community with other believers.

In her book Centering Discipleship Eun K Strawser writes:

Discipleship – being a disciple and making disciples – is about becoming more like Christ, taking on both his identity and his praxis. Denying ourselves, taking up our cross daily, and following him (Luke 9:23) means taking on his identity and mission of self-giving love, identified as participating in a sent community of people on mission together.

When we understand discipleship as being transformed in Christlikeness, we begin to see that it is an ongoing, lifelong journey. As we grow in our appreciation of discipleship as a lifelong journey, we are compelled to reflect on our own discipleship journeys and examine the spaces of discipleship that are facilitated within the life of our local congregations.

In our own discipleship journeys, it is easy to become complacent. It can become easy to neglect our own discipleship, even without noticing. This may be especially true for leaders who are considered among the mature Christians who teach and pour into others. We must continue to submit ourselves to the transforming power of the Spirit for the entirety of our Christian lives. Even as Christian leaders, there is no “destination” at which our Christian discipleship becomes complete or sufficient. Healthy leaders are first and foremost disciples.

Consider:

• • • What does it look like for you to be a disciple in this season of life?
    • Where do you see God at work in your life?
    • In what ways have you become complacent or assume “sufficiency” in your discipleship?

In the life of our local church, it can be easy to focus primarily on creating spaces for the discipleship of new and young believers. While of course this is vital, it is not the only thing that is important. We must continue to cultivate spaces where disciples in all seasons can continue to grow in Christlikeness. Healthy Churches make lifelong disciples who make disciples.

Consider:

• • • What practices, rhythms, frameworks, or structures could facilitate experiences of lifelong discipleship?
    • Where has your congregation become complacent in discipleship and disciple-making?
    • How can a culture of lifelong discipleship and disciple-making be cultivated?

Remember, discipleship is not a one-time event, a program, a curriculum, a class, or a single season of Christian life. It is a lifelong journey of transformation in Christlikeness.