A popular reality television show which has aired for nearly 40 seasons depicts contestants from all the nation racing against one another for a 1 million dollar grand prize. The catch is simply that the race takes place in foreign countries and contestants are not allowed to use their cell phones or any other electronic device that may aid them. They receive their clue to a location and they have no idea how to get there. Inevitably one team will not spend the initial needed time to look at a map before speeding off – they just go – often in the wrong direction. The old cliché holds true, “if you don’t know where you are going any path will get you there.” How often do we (pastors and ministry leaders) take off and lead the flock in a direction before pausing to seek the Lord for His intended direction? I fear this is often the case with discipleship. We feel the pressure to disciple and to “get going” without first pausing to understand where God wants us to go.
Recently I had the privilege to work with several pastors and ministry leaders in the Pikes Peak Baptist Association to develop discipleship programs. One of the longest, and admittedly most intense, conversations we had centered on defining what is a disciple and what is the profile of a healthy growing disciple. Ostensively the question may seem simple enough but it is wrought with nuances. Is a disciple a convert? Does regeneration and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit make a disciple? If so, how do we explain the twelve who followed Jesus and were called disciples even before Pentecost? Is a disciple simply one who associates with Jesus or even follows his teachings? Again looking to the twelve, where does Judas the disciple (need reference) fit into that conversation? For our purposes I would like to submit the following three characteristics that can serve to provide a definition of what is a disciple. These characteristics have been adapted in part from Jim Putnam’s Real-Life Discipleship:
Follows Christ (head): A disciple has surrendered to Jesus as Savior and Lord of their life. “I know he is my Lord and Savior and I submit to His authority in my life.”
Being changed by Christ (heart): Jesus says we will know a tree by its fruit (Mt 7). He didn’t mean perfect fruit; he meant growing fruit.
Committed to the mission of Christ (heart): Jesus saved us for a purpose. God’s mission is now our mission and our hands are now for His service.
With a working definition in mind it is also appropriate for us to consider the concept that there are different stages of a disciple’s growth. Obviously we would all want for the flock under our care not to be stagnant in their walk but to be actively growing. Consider the following profile of a healthy growing disciple:
- Strives to put Christ first in all areas of life and takes steps to separate from sin.
- Growing in both the knowledge and life application (wisdom) of the Word of God.
- Deepening fellowship with God through both private and corporate prayer and worship.
- Demonstrates Christ’s love by identifying with and serving alongside other believers.
- Identifies as a Christ follower in their environment and is actively sharing their faith.
With both the definition and a working profile in hand we now can begin to understand where we are headed. The path in which we take to get there as well as how we lead others will differ from person to person. The one constant to remember through this journey is that discipleship is a cooperative work between the Holy Spirit and the believer. We are not alone in our efforts but rather we are empowered in them. I would offer this quote from Billy Graham as both a launching point but also one to set expectations:
“Salvation is free but discipleship costs everything we have.
Matt Morton is the Lead Pastor of Cross Fellowship Church in Blackforest, Colorado.
