Discipleship is defined as one who adheres and spreads the doctrines of another. It follows then that Christian disciples are those who adhere and spread the doctrines of Jesus.
There are two parts to discipleship. Part 1 is one who adheres to the doctrines of another. Part 2 is one who spreads the doctrines of another.
Most Christians do well with Part 1. They believe and adhere to the doctrines of Jesus. Part 2, however, is where many Christians struggle even though we live in a time with such great opportunity to spread the doctrines of Jesus.
Consider: In the days of the first disciples the only way to spread the doctrines of Jesus was word-of-mouth, literally. To spread the doctrine meant walking up to someone and telling them about Jesus. Perhaps, as in the first Pentecostal experience, you could go into a busy market and start loudly proclaiming the gospel. Still, the only way was through physical speaking and hearing.
Today, the methods are many. Consider these opportunities:
- 1I could post something on one of the many social media platforms (Facebook, YouTube, Snap-chat, Pinterest, Twitter, etc.) While there are about dozen available currently, we will just count this as one and we won’t mention I could post something multiple times a day or a single would have the potential to reach many people.
- 2I could send an email. Again, I could do this multiple time a day to multiple people.
- 3I could call someone on the phone.
- 4I could text something.
- 5I could mail a letter.
- 6I could send an inspirational card (physically or electronically).
- 7I could submit an article about faith to any of the hundreds magazine companies (electronically or physically).
- 8I could write a blogpost.
- 9A church could run an ad in a paper or television broadcast.
- 10A church could buy a billboard placement.
- 11A church could put up street signs.
- 12A church could send out a mass mailing relatively cheap.
This is just a short list of opportunities. We could go on.
The point is this: You live in an era with so many opportunities to live out the second part of the discipleship definition, sharing the doctrines of Jesus.
Take the Challenge
Do one of these a month at a minimum. Do one a week if possible. Feeling energetic? Do one a day.
Pass It On
Thanks for taking the time to read this short thought. If the thought inspired you, share it with two of your friends.
