What is Discipleship?
- A disciple is a follower of Christ. As Christian disciples, we connect ourselves to Christ, spread the good news of Christ’s life, death and resurrection. We are equipped by the Holy Spirit to overcome pressures and trials of life and to strive to be more Christlike.
- We put Jesus first in all things. We are set apart from the world. We are called, as believers in Christ, to “put off your old self…and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God…” (Ephesians 4:22-24)
- We follow Jesus’ teachings. “So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, ‘If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.'” (John 8:31-32)
- We are called to love one another. “Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” (1 Corinthians 13:4-7) Love is an action word.
- We are called to evangelize – to make disciples of others. “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded of you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20)
- No matter our faith maturity level or where we are in our walk of a Christian life, we have something to offer everyone, which is to share the Gospel, also known as the “Good News” of our Lord and Savior, Christ Jesus.