Discipleship

Practicing and practically living in discipleship is an effective culture that needs to be spread far and wide to every community or church that wants or is willing to live out the calling that Jesus put out in his great commission, to make disciples of all nations. Matthew 28:19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Discipleship is not a simple process that you just get into and think will be easy to spread around. Discipleship is something that is passed down to you through a discipler, and you learn from him or her and then, in turn, pass it on down to a group of disciples. It starts with the posture of your heart, where you surrender yourself and really let God in and work you through and through. Listening to him earnestly through prayer and fasting, and knowing what he wants for your life (purpose) and how he will use you to fulfill his mission.

 

Some of the ways to dip your toes into discipleship are through the mizizi experience or being in a discipleship group. In the mizizi experience, you will go through ten weeks of learning how to be a disciple by connecting with God, surrendering your old life and habits, knowing your true purpose in life, and reaching out to the community through outreach missions. The intent would be, after the ten weeks lead your own disciples through the program and lead them as you were led, hence multiplying disciples. The other way is through discipleship groups. These groups are led by a discipler, or in other words, a spiritual parent to his disciples. He or she is committed to engrain his life with his disciples and teaching them and modeling to them how to live up, live in, and live out. Just as Jesus did with his twelve disciples, we are called to do the same. Either in mizizi or in discipleship groups, it may not be easy to reach out to people or have them surrender or let God into their lives. You must remember that you are not alone in this venture. Once you have committed to discipling others, you have partnered with the Holy Spirit to do the work of God. You have all you need to make disciples of men.

 

Through the multiplication of disciples using the two ways, we can expect a culture to be formed of men and women who truly love God and who care for his sheep. These disciples are not just disciples, they are also shepherds/disciplers who are also spiritual parents to their own children. This is a fundamental aspect that is missing in today’s churches; we need to start caring for one another and not in a superficial way, but in a way that Jesus would for each and every one of us. We are called to be greater men and women of God who truly honor him.