The Importance of Discipleship
One crucial aspect of growing in your new identity that I can't stress enough is the importance of discipleship. Being discipled is not just helpful—it's essential for your spiritual growth and understanding of who you are in Christ.
What is Discipleship?
Discipleship is the process of learning from and following a more experienced believer who can guide you in your faith journey. It's a biblical concept that Jesus Himself modeled with His disciples. In Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus commands His followers to "go and make disciples of all nations," highlighting the central role of discipleship in the Christian faith.
Why is Discipleship Important?
Biblical Foundation: Discipleship helps you build a strong biblical foundation. Your discipler can guide you through Scripture, helping you understand God's word and how it applies to your life and identity.
Spiritual Growth: Through discipleship, you're challenged to grow spiritually. Your discipler can help you develop spiritual disciplines like prayer, Bible study, and worship, which are crucial for understanding your identity in Christ.
Accountability: Having someone who regularly checks in on your spiritual growth can help you stay committed to your faith journey and personal development. This accountability is vital as you work through questions of identity and purpose.
Modeling: By observing how your discipler lives out their faith, you can gain practical insights into what it means to live as a Christian. This modeling can help shape your understanding of your own identity and role as a follower of Christ.
Emotional and Spiritual Support: As you navigate the challenges of your new faith, including potential identity crises, your discipler can provide emotional and spiritual support. They can offer perspective, encouragement, and prayer during difficult times.
Multiplication: As you grow in your faith, you'll eventually be equipped to disciple others. This multiplication effect is at the heart of the Great Commission and gives you a sense of purpose in your Christian identity.
My Personal Journey of Discipleship
I want to share a bit of my own experience with discipleship because I believe it illustrates just how powerful and transformative this relationship can be.
About two years ago, I found myself in one of the darkest seasons of my life. Despite growing up in the church, knowing Jesus, and even being in ministry and missions, I felt lost and broken from my own personal “church hurts”, and childhood traumas. It was during this challenging time that God brought an incredible mentor named Veronica into my life.
Veronica became my discipler and mentor, and her impact on my life has been profound. Here's how she has helped shape my journey and identity in Christ:
Walking Through Darkness: Veronica didn't shy away from the broken place I was in. Instead, she walked alongside me, helping me navigate through some of the most challenging times in my life. This taught me that our identity in Christ isn't about perfection, but about allowing God to work through our brokenness.
Calling Me Higher: Even in my struggles, Veronica saw the calling God had placed in me. She consistently called me to a higher standard, reminding me of who I am in Christ and encouraging me to live up to that identity.
Accountability: One of the most valuable aspects of our discipleship relationship has been accountability. Veronica isn't afraid to call me out when needed, helping me align my actions with my identity in Christ, and the godly woman she knew I was.
Spiritual Disciplines: Through Bible studies and prayer, Veronica has helped deepen my spiritual gifts.
Deliverance and Healing: Our discipleship journey has included times of deliverance and healing. This process has been instrumental in helping me shed old identities and fully walk in who God says I am.
Wisdom and Guidance: Veronica's wisdom and guidance have been invaluable. She's helped me apply biblical principles to real-life situations, showing me how to live out my identity in Christ in practical ways, and the power we have in Him.
My experience with Veronica has shown me that discipleship isn't just for new believers. Even those of us who have known Jesus for a long time can benefit immensely from this relationship. It's a continuous journey of growth, challenge, and transformation.
Through this discipleship relationship, I've learned that our identity in Christ is not static—it's something we grow into and understand more deeply daily. Veronica has been a crucial part of that process for me, helping me rediscover and fully embrace who I am in Christ, even in the midst of life's challenges.
How to Find a Discipler:
Pray: Ask God to lead you to the right person who can disciple you.
Reach Out: Talk to your pastor or church leaders about your desire to be discipled. Many churches have discipleship programs or can connect you with a mature believer.
Be Open: Look for godly individuals in your church community whose faith you admire. Be open to building relationships with them.
Commit: Once you find a discipler, commit to regular meetings and be prepared to be open, honest, and teachable.
If you're considering discipleship, or if you're in a difficult season and wondering if it's for you, I encourage you to take that step. Whether you're a new believer or have been in the church for years, a discipleship relationship can be transformative. It has been for me, and I believe it can be for you too.