With the Great Commission, Jesus Himself directs us to go and make disciples of the nations and baptize them in the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. All too often we apply this verse to evangelism or simply telling others about Jesus. However, though a disciple can’t be made without hearing about Jesus, telling someone about Jesus does not a disciple make. The question, then, is what is discipleship? And what discipleship opportunities does Oak Ridge Baptist Church offer?
Keys to Discipleship: Know, Grow, and Join Together
We know Jesus commanded His church to make disciples of the nations. In fact, it was His parting instructions. What is a disciple, though? Surely it’s more than simply knowing Jesus. Are you a disciple? Consider the following 3 keys to discipleship:
1) Know the faith
The faith is the foundation of discipleship. It is the set of facts all discipleship and the entire Christian experience is based on and stems from. It comes first and without it, there really is nothing else. So what is it? When the Bible talks about “the faith”, it is referring to the body of information believed by the early church concerning Jesus. It’s the gospel- what must be believed to be saved and have eternal life. Jesus is God. He became a Man while remaining God and died in our place to pay for our sin. He resurrected on the third day. He did this so we could know Him. That’s the faith.
2) Grow your faith
Whereas the faith is factual, your faith is subjective. It’s your personal experience and trust in God. It’s also what you make of it. Meaning, it’s your responsibility to grow your faith. If you don’t do it, no one else will. Read the Bible, pray, go to church, and let Him live in you as you live life in Him. Trust only grows when it is exercised. It is little more than wishful thinking otherwise.
3) We need each other
Though it’s your responsibility to grow your own faith, you can’t do it alone. We need each other. We are the body of Christ and He designed it so that we would grow up together in Him. This means you need other people in order to grow your faith, but it also means other people need you. Discipleship isn’t about what any one of us needs in any moment individually, but what we all need together to grow in Him and mature as a body. You will receive, no doubt, but you will also give.
Let’s Make Disciples
Let’s make disciples, my friends, of all the nations, but let’s start right here with you and me. You can’t fathom all the Lord has in store for us as we follow Him together. What will He do in our community and the world? What will He do inside of you? The keys to discipleship are simple to understand and only complicated by the will. What will you choose?
Join us in discipleship as we seek the Lord together as a body. To learn more about the discipleship opportunities ORBC offers, Contact Us.