Why Discipleship? (part II)

We are called to discipleship because this is the example which Christ practices and teaches and it works

The ministry of Christ extends this call to discipleship, by illustrating the perfect work of church growth, painting a picture of leadership development, spiritual mentoring, and mass revival of which the post-modern church could certainly take note. Jesus divides his time into four categories: time with the disciples, time with the masses, healing the sick (an extension of time with the masses), and time alone with the Father. Robert Coleman points out that in the public relations department, Jesus spent the majority of his time with the disciples (Coleman 45). He concentrated on twelve men, for the benefit of the majority. Coleman (35) observes, “Jesus was not trying to impress the crowd, but to usher in the kingdom. This meant that he needed people who could lead the multitudes.” He built his ministry around relationship, recognizing that it is both the end goal of redemption and the means by which redemption is brought to fruition.


In John 15:15-16, Jesus describes his leadership strategy and relationship with the disciples, saying “I no longer call your servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father, I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last…” Jesus calls his disciples, he trains them, and he sends them, recognizing that this is the most effective way to reach the masses. He invited them into his presence, equipping them to lead when he was no longer present. It was the work of eleven of these men that laid the foundation for the modern church. In John 17:18-20, Jesus sends the disciples into the world, praying for them and those who will hear his words through them. Jesus recognized, as Coleman (31) points out, that his ministry depended on these few many leading the many. Jesus is, as Cloud and Townsend point out, our example for living (chapter 5) as well as training disciples. Our very relationship with him is a discipleship relationship because he is our living example. This is what Bonhoeffer meant, saying that Christianity without discipleship is like Christianity without Christ.

We are called to discipleship because we are called to follow Christ.