Here is the question, how do you do discipleship?
To answer this question let’s look at the master discipler himself, Jesus.
How did Jesus do discipleship?
Jesus Called His Disciples
The first thing Jesus did was call those whom he wanted to disciple. We are not told why he chose them. But once he made his choice, he called them to follow him.
We sometimes think it is upon the person seeking discipleship to seek out a mentor. Jesus doesn’t follow that model. True disciples of Jesus should be looking for others to disciple.
Now this doesn’t negate the responsibility of those seeking discipleship. The Gospels indicate many people followed Jesus. In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus chose the twelve Apostles from a larger gathering of disciples. So there were many disciples other than the twelve.
Some were called. Some sought to follow him (See Luke 9:57-62).Luke 6:13
NRSV
And when day came, he called his disciples and chose from them twelve, whom he named apostles:” Luke 6:13
Jesus Spent Time With His Disciples
Regardless if they were called or sought to follow, Jesus spent time with them – lots of time. The disciples traveled with Jesus from place to place. They ate with Jesus. They took Jesus to their homes. They sat at his feet while he taught. It seems they were always with Jesus.
Jesus Expected Them To Do What Disciples Do
The disciples also did what Jesus instructed them to do. They gathered food to feed thousands. They prepared places for Jesus to teach. The disciples went out in groups of two to preach, teach, heal, and cast out demons. There was an expectation that the disciples did what Jesus instructed them to do.
Summary
So, discipleship as we look at Jesus involved a calling (or following), spending lots of time with Jesus, listening to him teach, and doing what Jesus instructed.
Now, back to the question, "How do you do discipleship?"
HOW DO YOU DO DISCIPLESHIP
Call Someone to Discipleship
If we follow the model of Jesus, then discipleship begins with calling others to discipleship. Interesting is that it starts with the mentor, the one who is to do the discipling. As disciples of Jesus we should be looking for others to disciple.
Sure, someone could be seeking discipleship. In this case, this person should look for someone to disciple them.Spend Time With Them
Regardless if you call someone to discipleship or they seek you out to disciple them, you must spend time with them – lots of time. True discipleship is more than Sunday School or a weekly small group meeting. True discipleship is taking someone under your wing and mentoring them. You eat together. Pray together. Talk about life and faith together. You check in on how they are doing. Much more than once a week.
Have Expectations
Discipleship involves teaching and training. As the one discipling, you should be giving the disciple tasks with expectations. At some point, you should be sending the disciple out to tell others about Jesus. You should be asking the disciple how they helped others in the past week? Did they feed the hungry, visit the sick (via telephone now-a-days), cloth the naked, strengthen another disciple? Did they pray? Did they keep their spiritual disciplines you assigned them? It’s discipleship!
As one being discipled, you should expect this from the person discipling you. If they are not doing this, find another person to disciple you!
Summary
So, doing discipleship following the model of Jesus involves calling (following), spending lots of time together, listening to one another, and doing what disciples do.
Who are you discipling? No really, truly discipling?
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