Discipleship Pathway
A discipleship pathway isn’t what we normally think. Aim for the right destination — a destination that looks more like a daily journey.
A pathway is a road from here to there. Steps from where you are to where to want to be. Discipleship pathways are often presented as a set of classes, groups, studies, activities, and practices that develop new believers (or even nonbelievers in some cases) into mature disciples of Jesus. All of these can be helpful but they should not be confused with discipleship.
Discipleship is being trained by Christ. Disciples are becoming better learners-followers-imitators of Jesus.
Jesus gave us a discipleship pathway. He said:
“If anyone wants to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross every day and follow me.” (Luke 9:23)
Whatever helps you walk this path with Jesus — a path of self-denial and self-sacrifice — is helpful indeed. But the next step in your discipleship isn’t a class. It’s a step with Jesus toward Christlikeness.
Unsettled
Not everything in life is clearly settled. Still we work for unity in the Body of Christ.
“Now food will not bring us close to God; we are neither the worse if we do not eat, nor the better if we do eat.”
How were disciples to approach food offered to idols? According to another’s conscience, not their own. Eating meat offered to idols means nothing to a follower of Christ with a strong faith. But it could be a stumbling block to an unbeliever or someone with weak faith. The life of a disciple in this world is full of mysteries and paradoxes. God makes room for honest disagreements and differences of interpretation. These are wonderful opportunities to extend grace and preserve our unity in Christ.
Twice
As a church leader, I need to watch out how I live, long before I lead others.
Woe to you, experts in the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You travel the sea and the land to make one convert, and then when he is converted, you make him twice as much a son of hell as you are.
— Matt. 23:15
These people are filthy stains on your love feasts when they eat with you without fear, shepherding themselves. They are clouds without rain, being driven along by the winds. They are autumn trees without fruit, twice dead, pulled up by the roots.
— Jude 1:12
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