Discipleship. An important concept in Christianity, one whose root, disciple, occurs over 200 times in the gospels and the New Testament (all within the gospels and Acts.) I think most of us are very familiar with the term disciple in the context of being a follower of Christ, as in the 12 disciples. I wonder, though, how many of us think of the term discipleship in relation to our own faith journey.
As this week marks the beginning of the new school year, there is no more appropriate time in the secular calendar for the church to talk about discipleship, for in it's original Greek context the word translated into "to learn." More specifically, one "who learns."
I bring this to your attention for we cannot accept mediocrity in our faith journey. Like so many, I pray that we will be a community where people come to know the saving grace of Christ our Lord. Reading through the scriptures, we see that converts were never encouraged to 'just believe' and not undertake more serious growth and development in their walk with God.
Let me be clear: I subscribe completely and wholeheartedly to the concept that we are saved by faith alone. However, I want to be quick to add this: Looking at the calendar and seeing students heading back to school for another year of learning, let us be inspired to not be satisfied with just knowing the basics, but moving each other to a deeper relationship with Christ by intentionally seeking a life of discipleship. Let it be our focus to seek a deeper relationship with God through involvement in our shared lives of worship, study, prayer, and fellowship.
Developing a relationship with God is very similar to developing a relationship with one another - it boils down to how committed are we to making this relationship work? How committed are we to move beyond the superficial and into discovering the depths of God's love for all He created?
As this new academic year approaches, let me encourage you to seek out ways of intentional discipleship. From our Sunday School classes, to our Pastor's Bible Studies (offered Sunday evenings and Tuesday mornings), our Wednesday evening Communion & Prayer service, to our bi-weekly UMCOR missions, to the UMW meeting once a month, and other things that come along from time to time, there are plenty of ways to take on the role of 'disciple', learning more about the God who loves you so much you were not only created in the divine image, saved through the grace of Christ, but were also given the gift of the community of faith to help explore and deepen your faith.
Children (of all ages) who are in school know that the best example of learning comes not from a classroom, but from the adults in their lives. I urge you to have the youth in your households deeply involved in the youth ministry of our congregation; they learn a lifetime of discipleship early and it will stick with them throughout their lives (even if it isn't always obvious).
If you do not see in these areas a place where you feel led, do not just sit out. Come talk to me so we can discern how to help your discipleship journey. It's too important to let this slide. Immaturity is not a Christian virtue.
See You Sunday!
Lamar
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