MM33 – Movement of Church Planting and Discipleship—Discipleship and Mission: Living out the Call in the World

In his article, Rev Alvin Ngo explores perspectives on how viewing discipleship as a relational journey with a Person—rather than a program—transforms our challenges into a missional testimony.

Discipleship in the Bible is described as the lifelong process of intentionally following Jesus Christ by learning His teachings, imitating His life, growing in obedience to become more like Him and fulfilling His purposes.

A disciple is radically committed to follow Christ and is given a commission to be a witness for Christ and leading people to Christ. He is to exercise “self-denial” and empowered by the Spirit in accomplishing His call and ministry while on earth.  

Being a disciple of Christ is more than just attending church for worship with a community of others, more than attending a small group meeting (for Bible study, fellowship and mutual encouragement), more than building dependence and reliance on God through personal or corporate prayers (as in attending a prayer meeting) and more than just helping people to come to Christ. Many have done all the above and yet find themselves not any closer to becoming or being a disciple of Jesus. At best, they are means to an end but does not guarantee the outcome itself.

A disciple is radically committed to follow Christ and is given a commission to be a witness for Christ and leading people to Christ. 

Three Simple Motifs of Discipleship

1. There is a Person – Following.

The Lord Jesus tells us plainly “whoever would be my disciple must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.” (Matthew 16:24; Mark 8:34; Luke 9:23)

While many are regularly drawn to the three essential requirements to this following:

• Deny himself
• Take up His cross
• Follow Christ

“In discipleship, we learn to die to self so that we can live for Christ and fulfill His purposes.” – David Platt

We follow Christ/God.

Often we forget that we are actually following a Person. He is “Immanuel” (Matthew 1:23), “God with us”. He walks with us and talks with us. He is in our world as we are in His Kingdom. 

We do more than following a set of rules and requirements, we follow a Person. As Peter says in John 6:68, ““Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.”

The Spirit, He has given us, will “guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.” (John 16:13) 

This is also something God did for the Israelites in the Old Testament, in Isaiah 42:16 and Isaiah 49:10; and a promise He gave them in Psalm 31:3. 

“Discipleship is not a program; it’s a relationship.” – Bill Johnson

We do more than following a set of rules and requirements, we follow a Person.

2. There is a Process – Journeying

There is a starting point and an ending place. It is from here to there. From the old earth to the new heaven and earth.

Many have illustrated discipleship as a baby born into a family, as living under a gardener’s care, as clay in a potter’s hand, as a ship navigating stormy seas, as a runner in a marathon, as the metamorphosis of a caterpillar into a butterfly, or as a mountaineer’s ascent. I rather like the illustration of “a journey”.

Matthew 7:13-14, calls it the Narrow and Wide Gates, “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”

We are on a journey.

“Discipleship is not a solo journey; it’s a community of believers walking together, encouraging and challenging one another along the way.” – Priscilla Shirer

This journey is the same and yet not the same for each of us. The way is Jesus.

It might look like a wide way as together with many others we traveled on it towards our eternal destiny. But yet it is a narrow way, as we are face with having to overcome life’s many challenges, trials and sufferings on top of the natural disasters, mishaps and accidents along the way. Some of these struggles we brought upon ourselves by our wrong decisions and choices, and some by others in a sinful and imperfect world. All these make the way “narrow” for us. We have to navigate carefully and purposefully in order not to deviate from or totally abandoning the journey. Which some have!

We are to bear witness in spite of our circumstances and what life would throw at us while we are still on this journey. 2 Corinthians 4:17 reminds us that “our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” 

If God is truly sovereign, then life has no accidents. Everything happens with His permission and for a specific purpose. Our reasonable response is to “trust and obey”. We walk in faith because “we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28) We might not see or know the purpose now, but we will eventually. Every setback is a call for us to step up. Every failure can be a steppingstone for upward growth. And every challenge will make us stronger and build in us the character which God has desired and intended. And God has given us a promise to overcoming, “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” 

This process is called “sanctification.”   

“True discipleship is not just about following Jesus; it’s about becoming like Him.” – Rick Warren

We are to bear witness in spite of our circumstances and what life would throw at us while we are still on this journey.

3. There is a Product and Production – Mission to Influence and Multiplying

“Discipleship is not about gathering information; it’s about transformation.” – Francis Chan

The Transformation of life.

Discipleship is a lifetime process for us to become more like Jesus Christ. To accomplish the task God has called us to: the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20), and “to take hold of the things, God has taken hold us for” (Philippians 3:12-14). 

The Transmitting and Testifying of the Good News in reaching others for Christ.

In following Christ, Matthew 4:19 tells us to “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” Our discipleship should lead to us leading others to Christ. 

We are to “be witnesses” (Acts 1:8). We are to represent Christ, “as His ambassador on earth” (2 Corinthians 5:20). We are to exert certain influence and make an impact in our worlds, leading to people coming to Christ because of our testimony. (Matthew 5:13-16)

“Discipleship is the art and science of helping others find, follow, and fully become like Jesus.” – Robby Gallaty

As long as we are still alive, we are on a journey (with Jesus), we are following Him and we keep following in spite of the situations, mishaps, tragedies, trials, testings, persecutions, and sufferings in our lives. There is a purpose in and through all of it. Our testimonies will be formed through them. Daniel 12:3, “Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.” We are to pursue our calling and fulfil the mission given us. Our discipleship must be both intentional and missional. (Isaiah 2:3, Micah 4:2, Zechariah 8:22) 

How are you as a disciple living out the call of God in your life?

“Discipleship is not a burden to be endured, but a privilege to be embraced.” – Dallas Willard

We are to exert certain influence and make an impact in our worlds, leading to people coming to Christ because of our testimony.