Five Myths of Discipleship

Discipleship takes place when people attend church programs There is no doubt that in many church services and bible studies there is great teaching taking place. Most of the material is too general in nature and it is not usually targeted to the unique or specific needs of a new believer. A new believer can learn much from these services and studies. They need to be taught how to glean spiritual principles from them. Discipleship simply just happens As we look to Jesus, the Master Discipler, we see that He did not just throw out principles and teachings expecting his disciples to just get them. As a matter of fact we know that they more often than not, did not get what Jesus was teaching. New believers must be taught, helped, encouraged, and held accountable. New believers need someone who will ask them hard questions, be involved in their lives, and who will be part of the process of their spiritual growth. Discipleship is for new believers Discipleship is extremely important for new believers. It is also extremely important for all believers. Discipleship is a process that begins at conversion and continues until glorification. A disciple will continue to follow Christ all of his life. Someone once said, “Once a disciple, always a disciple.” Discipleship is a 12 step program The trouble with most discipleship programs is that they are often reduced to a 6 week, 12 week, or multipoint outline. Discipleship is for life, it is actually a lifestyle. There are certain basics every new believer must know and learn, but the training, developing, and accountability of believers never stops. We are called to be followers of Jesus Christ for life. We are to learn and live a new way of life. Discipleship is limited to bible study, soul winning, or quiet time

Unfortunately, we have the tendency to compartmentalize our lives into what we call secular and sacred. We find ourselves reducing Christianity to ideals, lists, systems, or programs. Christianity affects every area of our life and there is no secular or sacred. Christ in us governs all that we think and do whether we are worshipping in a corporate service or working in a corporate setting.

True discipleship must take all of Christ's teaching and be implemented in the lives of all believers. The goal is that we become like Christ, our Master. We cannot be content with simply passing on knowledge and tradition and assume that conviction and belief will just magically happen.

We are to live out the life of Christ before those whom we are discipling just as Christ did. Unfortunately there seems to be a large difference between today's convert and the disciples of old. Let's work to dispel the myths of discipleship!