Discipleship

Jesus not only calls us to believe in him but also to follow and learn from him – to be his disciples. The Bible teaches that when a person trusts in Jesus, their whole life begins to change – we start to think differently, speak differently, and act differently. No longer do we follow our own whims and desires, but the Holy Spirit brings us to surrender our lives to Jesus and begin to live like him.

2 Peter 1:3-11 explains both why and how we should pursue discipleship – it says:

3 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, 4 by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. 5 For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. 8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. 10 Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. 11 For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

In other words, we should pursue discipleship because Jesus offers to us “precious and very great promises” – an escape from “the corruption that is in the world” and to partake instead of “his own glory and excellence” in heaven. Practicing discipleship keeps us from falling away from Christ and helps us to focus on and remain in “the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” We pursue discipleship when we devote ourselves to living like Jesus and practicing “virtue”, acquiring “knowledge”, learning “self-control”, gaining “steadfastness”, pursuing “godliness”, and living with “brotherly affection” and “love”.

At St. John, we are committed to leading our congregation towards discipleship because we believe that Jesus has called us to it and that it will enable us to be the best Christians, church, and witnesses we can be.

In this section, you’ll find a growing list of links to resources that, with the help of the Holy Spirit, will aid you in taking steps toward growing as a disciple of Jesus.