Elijah Ngule

 Christ in Discipleship Written Assignment 1 Submitted to: in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the completion of Course Code: Course Name: By Student’s Name: Date of Submitted: Table of Contents Introduction3 Importance of the Centrality of Christ in Christian Discipleship3 How Obedience Reflects the Discipleship of Christ4 Areas of Life that a Disciple Must Submit to Christ5 Three Stages of Discipleship6 Conclusion8 Bibliography9 Introduction It is a complicated task to come up with the definition of a disciple. Additionally, it can be even more intimidating when it comes to the definition of Jesus Christ disciple. One of the t definitions of disciple is a person who will follow Christ, be transformed by Jesus Christ and become committed to Christ's mission.1 It is paramount to understand that discipleship means that Christ needs to come first and foremost in all what individual aspirations are in his or her entire life. Importance of the Centrality of Christ in Christian Discipleship According to Luke 14:26 (NKJV) it affirms that Jesus Christ is the central focus, “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.”2 Therefore, the crucial ingredient in discipleship in one’s life is when Jesus Christ being the central focus. The driving force behind one being developed as a disciple is faith. Setting one's faith and taking into consideration the discipline which goes along with the following of Jesus Christ. "And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be my disciple. For which of you. Intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it” (Luke 14:27-28 NKJV)3. It important for one to understand what it takes to be a disciple of Jesus Christ as well as prioritizing; it takes both faith and committing walking with Jesus Christ. It is worth to note that in embarking in the mission of following Jesus Christ, Satan will be actively working to derail the efforts. There is no work which draws so much resistance from Satan than the great mission of Christ followers of disciple-making. How Obedience Reflects the Discipleship of Christ Obedience goes along with faith as one takes a step to become a disciple of Jesus Christ and then teach and mentor others to climb up to be at the same level. “He who does not love me does not keep My words, and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father who sent me” (John 14:24 NKJV)4. According to Bonhoeffer, Christ Jesus is serious in His calling, and it is everyone's choice to obey or disobey5. Another example concerning being obedient to Jesus Christ was, "As He passed by, He saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, follow Me. So he arose and followed Him” (Mark 2:14 NKJV)6. Obedience is an essential character for any person who is a Christ’s Disciple. The first words of Jesus Christ were filled with expectations in the command that “Follow Me” which required a special response. The obedience as observed from the disciples was more critical than an expression made verbally of believing in Jesus Christ. Their actions spoke much louder than how words could. They abandoned everything to follow Christ. Obedience is a key attribute to being a true disciple and follower of Jesus Christ. It expected from them to submit every aspect of their life’s to Jesus Christ. To understand the centrality of Jesus Christ in discipleship, we have to make Christ as the central focus in the process of disciple-making. It is critical to be surrounded by mature and knowledgeable preachers for any person who needs to be assisted to become a disciple. One of the integral roles of the church is making disciples of Jesus Christ. “The churches marching orders are very clear…we are to make disciples. The church is to pursue and make and nurture believers at home and abroad.”7 Establishment of a plan to take current converted Christians and guide them on the path of becoming Christians who are mature is paramount. The beatitudes presented in Matt 5:1-12 are examples of characteristics of a disciple of Jesus Christ. These are character traits that every Christian must work hard to develop and teach others as well. It is not something that will be done overnight, but it can be attained through perseverance, grace as well as discipline. As one develops to become a leader who is dependent on Jesus Christ and communicates to God, he or she will understand better what it takes for one to be a disciple of Jesus Christ.8 Truly for a disciple of Jesus Christ will require the acceptance of Jesus' authority over all his or her aspects of life.9 Areas of Life that a Disciple Must Submit to Christ Obedience is inseparable from submission. Once we submit our lives to Christ, we will then commit to doing His work. There are three commitment areas for a disciple of Jesus Christ; Great Commandment (Matt 22:37), the Great Commission (Matt 28:19), and the New Commandment (John 13:34). It will ensure that the believer will be the Voice of Jesus Christ in fulfilling the Great Commission. Three Stages of Discipleship There are three stages of discipleship which everyone who needs to become a disciple of Jesus Christ needs to understand and are inclusive of 1) declaration, 2) development, and 3) deployment.10 This is a summary of how the disciples of Jesus Christ were nurtured and became the disciples which Christ required them to be. Each disciple of Christ passed through this staged, and it is important for every Christian to work hard and pass through the stages as well. The first stage (declaration), the believer is expected to decide as to whether or not they will proclaim Jesus Christ as their saviour and they are willing to follow Him. For a new believer, regeneration is the key focus. You accept the call and declare that you believe and you will follow Jesus Christ as your savior. This is followed by repenting of sins and decides to be committed in Jesus Christ mission as presented in (Mark 1:15 and Matt 4:17). Also, one is expected to cast out his or her doubts, accept Christ salvation and establish a strong belief in Jesus Christ. In this first stage, it can be expounded as a process which culminates to an event in that one moves from hearing, curious, heeding and finally becomes converted. The second stage in the process of making disciples is the development phase. This stage can last for some time if there is no proper plan which has been put in place in developing the newly converted fellow. At this particular step, there is an immersion into a close relationship with Christ. One comes to an understanding there is a lot to be learnt as a disciple not primarily acknowledging and accepting to follow Jesus Christ. It is important for one to learn how to build and maintain the relationship created with Jesus Christ. One of the critical components in the life of a believer is prayer. Learning how to communicate to God and the reason(s) for talking to God enables the believer to put their faith into practice. Prayer is an essential tool of the believer as stated in Acts 2:42. Another vital step for the believer in stage two is immersing him or her in a community of believers. A Bible teaching as well as a bible believing church is important in the development of the foundation of one to become a disciple of Christ. Bible study and church services are just some of how a new convert can build their foundation in Christ. Bible study and prayer are the best ways in which a believer can develop a strong relationship and foundation with Christ. It is paramount to commit yourself to the community of believers. Staying indoors alone and studying the Bible, however congregating with other believers will help you understand more the aspect of the relationship of being a Christ follower. "They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching, and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and the prayers" (Acts 2:42).11 This emphasizes how the ancient church engaged in fellowship with believers who had the same mind. “No Christian can grow strong and stand the pressure of this life unless he is surrounded by a small group of people who minister to him and build him up in the faith”.12 Being immersed in the Word of Jesus Christ is another crucial step in stage two which believers need to take it seriously. One of the greatest backbones of Faith is education. They are learning through reading God's word each day and praying to God without ceasing opens the mind and heart to hear the word of God. This is quite essential in becoming a disciple of Christ. Believers are expected to submit themselves community’s teaching authority as the twelve disciples submitted to Jesus Christ teachings. This prepares the believer for stage three (deployment) of discipleship. It is important to note that, the requirement of the Great Commission for all followers of Jesus Christ is to “go and make disciples”. In stage three (deployment), it where the passionate, dedicated, and educated followers of Christ go out into the world to teach others what they have been educated about the word of God and how they can as well become disciples. Now the focus of the believer to remain committed to Christ's mission. "The disciples were selected with one primary goal in mind: to be missionaries".13 The believer's now the task is to make disciples. The primary goal now is to multiply the community of believers by teaching others the will and the great commission of Jesus Christ. Conclusion In conclusion, to be called a disciple of Jesus Christ, one must deny him or herself and carries their cross and follows Jesus Christ. Obedience and submission to Christ are intertwoven into every stage of discipleship. Disciple of Jesus Christ should be obedient and be submissive to Christ's call to repent their sins. It expected of them to declare Jesus Christ as their saviour and be committed to the great mission of Christ of disciple-making. Bibliography Bonhoeffer, Dietrich, Geffrey B. Kelly, and John D. Godsey. Discipleship. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2001. Print. Clinton, J R. The Making of a Leader: Recognizing the Lessons and Stages of Leadership Development. Colorado Springs: NavPress, 2012. Print. Earley, Dave, and Rod Dempsey. Disciple Making Is: How to Live the Great Commission with Passion and Confidence. N.p., 2013. Print. Malphurs, Aubrey. Being Leaders: The Nature of Authentic Christian Leadership. Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 2003. Print. Putman, Jim, Bobby Harrington, and Robert E. Coleman. Discipleshift: Five Steps That Help Your Church to Make Disciples Who Make Disciples. N.p., 2013. Print.