(Kagame Benard. He is a motivational speaker and has in the past been a gospel TV/Radio host. He is the proprietor of www.barakatupu.com. He is also a counsellor and an MC)
A disciple is a one who accepts and assists in spreading the doctrines of another such as of Christianity.
It also can be defined as one of the twelve in the inner circle of Christ's followers according to the gospel.
When Jesus was old enough to start his ministry, he needed some people to learn from him so that they may continue with his work even after he had ascended to heaven.
He called his disciples one after the other and told them to “follow” him.
His first disciples were called at the Sea of Galilee, where he requested them to follow him and his teachings (Mat 4:18-22, Mark 1:16-20, Luke 5:1-11).
To disciple, somebody is to teach him/her about Jesus Christ and the word of God so that he/she may live according to it.
Mostly this is done to a new believer so as to help him/her grow into Christ.
To make somebody a disciple is to make him/her believe in and become a follower of Jesus Christ.
Jesus commanded his disciples to make disciples of all nations (Mat 28:19, Acts 1:8). This making of people disciples has been basically part of evangelism.
The reason as to why I say so is because many who accept Christ as their personal saviour during the time of evangelism, be it in the church or open air crusade, must be directed on what to do so as to grow strong and healthy in their spiritual life.
For such a long time in the Christian lifestyle, I have noticed that Christians have habitually demanded too much too soon from spiritual infants, commanding them to conform to patterns of maturity that it may have taken others years and years to attain.
Many people offer searing judgments on the "baby Christian", the evangelist involved, and sometimes call in question the whole idea of evangelism.
The church has been so reluctant on this thus making it hard for the church to grow spiritually.
If the church represents the spiritually mature, then it follows that it is the responsibility of the mature to relate them to the immature; to meet them where they are and see them for what they are.
These new Christians are spiritual infants with all the limitations of infancy. Did you know that a 40-year old PhD holder can be a spiritual infant?
According to John 3, there is such a thing as spiritual birth. 1 Peter 2:2 indicates there is a state of spiritual infancy from which we grow by the intake of the word of God.
Paul indicated in Colossians 1:28 that spiritual growth should culminate finally into spiritual maturity.
They need spiritual food and a serene environment for them to grow and mature and be responsible Christians to serve the Lord in the church.
Discipleship is, therefore, the act of elementary teachings about Jesus Christ and the word of God to young believers or new converts.
Often, we relapse into a humanistic process of reasoning which simply will not admit to the limitations of spiritual infancy. We automatically expect and demand too much of the spiritual infant.
Only when we apply the limitations of physical infancy to this new spiritual creature will we see them in the proper light and not expect too much too soon.
Discipleship is paramount to young believers and new converts as it strengthens their faith in Jesus through understanding his works and knowing the truth of the Bible.
It is the milk that young believers require for them to grow (Hebrews 5:12, 1Peter 2:2).
When new converts are not guided, they might end up backsliding or living a life not worthy for a Christian.
Discipleship has a great impact on the life of a Christian. A new believer who is subjected to discipleship will definitely grow spiritually more than the one not nurtured and guided.
The disciples of Jesus were more fervent because of the strong discipleship Jesus did to them.
Thus, a fully nurtured and guided Christian will lead a life that emulates the life of Jesus Christ.
(Look out for the next series which explains what the discipleship class entails for a spiritual infant)
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