Christian discipleship is the process of making believers become fully committed followers of Jesus Christ. Discipleship training builds and strengthens the believer's faith on a firm foundation. As a believer, you will be sharpened in wisdom and matured in Christian doctrine. The ultimate goal is to have you also disciple other believers.
Here are 7 reasons why Christians should be disciples.
1. The need for maturity
The Bible places emphasis on the need for you to grow
in Christian doctrine. (Hebrews 6:1) You will be protected from becoming complacent
in your relationship with God. It also
helps to check against stagnation in your knowledge of biblical truths. The objective is to keep growing in your relationship
with God.
2. Disciples have to be accountable
The Christian model of discipleship is drawn from
Jesus Christ’s method of discipling His 12 followers. He taught them what He
knew and gave them certain responsibilities to carry out. He also required a
report from His students. Discipleship
is supposed to make you as a Christian become accountable to God in how you live
your life.
3. As a disciple, you should become a role model
In 1 Cor 11:1, Paul wrote to the believers telling
them to imitate his lifestyle. Discipleship requires that a trainer use his
lifestyle as a pedagogical method. As a result, you will align your life
with biblical teaching.
4. It helps in character and spiritual formation
The Bible gives 9 key values for you as a Christian.
(Galatians 6:22-23) These are love, joy, peace, perseverance, kindness,
goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. It goes further and
emphasizes that having these values and cultivating them will cause you to be
productive in your faith life. (2 Peter 1:5-6)
5. Discipleship is training church leaders
The church is a spiritual institution that requires
leaders. These are to be picked from
among mature believers. The spiritual requirements
of a leader are clearly given. (1 Timothy 3:1-10; Titus 1:7-9) The bible goes
as far as requiring that as leaders, you should be tested before being given any
responsibilities in the church.
6. A Christian is a disciple
The word ‘Christian’ occurs only 3 times in the New
Testament. However, the word ‘disciple’ occurs 268 times in the gospels and
Acts. Clearly, the emphasis is laid on discipleship. As a Christian then, you should be a
disciple.
7. Jesus Christ
commanded discipleship training
In one of His last acts before ascending to heaven,
Jesus met His disciples and gave them the Great Commission. He further
instructed them to teach others what he had taught them. Jesus Christ told His
disciples to use the method he employed to disciple them. (Matthew 28:19-20)
You Must Be Discipled
As a Christian, you are supposed to keep growing
deeper in your relationship with God. Churches are also supposed to have
discipleship programs. It is strongly recommended that you should go through it.
