This is part 2 of 2 of Lesson 2: Discipleship Then and Now. Click here to go back to the introduction to this lesson.
There are so many disciples in today’s society, not all of them religious.
How often do you see disciples of a certain band, or singer, or sportsperson, or even a ‘brand’ name disciple. Many also are disciples of the latest real estate investment guru or new age teacher.
But as Christian disciples, how can we have an authentic faith, and how can we wear our ‘brand’ such that it will be attractive to those we mix with? Consider Jesus’ own advice:
“By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:35 (NKJV)
On the comeandreason.com podcast this week, the teacher noted the need to be ‘intentional’ about our witness for Jesus. It is something we need to practice like any other skill.
I think this is correct, and in practice it means we need to be intentional about surrendering our fears or leaving our comfort zone to let the Holy Spirit lead us into telling others about the wonderful news of Jesus’ love and sacrifice for us. And along with this comes the responsibility to have lives that give credit to our Master, not ones that detract.
I know that personally without this intention, it is all too easy to fall back into the safe and comfortable ‘blend into the crowd’ mentality. I know even from this week that my witness at work has been less than wonderful!
Some more discussion starters (these two are from the quarterly study guide this week):
- Abraham Lincoln spoke of the dedication “to the great task” before them. Just as the early disciples had a task, Jesus calls us to dedicate ourselves to the tasks of discipleship before us. What are those tasks? How do we carry forward the work they began?
- “Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied ” (Mark 16:20, NIV).
The disciples preached “everywhere.” How can your home, school, or job be a mission field?
That’s it for this week. See you next time.
