This Is Hopeಮಾದರಿ

Day 4: Discipleship as Our Lifestyle

Have you ever received someone’s last words? They often carry weight and are spoken with intention, urgency, and love. Now imagine those words coming from someone who died…and came back to life.

That was the scene in Matthew 28. Jesus’ disciples had grieved His death for days, possibly shaken by what happened on the Cross. But then Jesus appears - alive, whole and radiant before them, and says: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”

These weren’t just parting words, but a commissioning. Jesus didn’t just give this command to the spiritually elite. It was for the ordinary people – fishermen, tax collectors, worshippers, doubters. People like you and me. And in this command, we see the heart of our faith – discipleship isn’t just something we do, it is who we are as Christ-followers.

Before we make disciples, we must first be disciples ourselves – seeking God’s heart, loving what He loves, and walking with Him daily. But just like any deep relationship, it is a journey which takes intentionality and commitment. When we truly love someone, we want to know them, and we want to delight in what they care about. The same is true with God. As we do so, we are also moved to love others the way He does – to disciple them and to build them up in Christ.

Practically, making disciples can start with small and faithful steps. It can come in many forms such as having regular honest conversations about Jesus with those around you, praying and journeying intentionally alongside someone, mentoring someone younger in the faith or stepping up to lead a lifegroup as God calls you.

Regardless of the form, God delights in our obedience to His command. If you’re still hesitant due to fear of not being good enough, may you take heart. We do not need to be perfect to lead someone closer to Jesus. We can simply choose to be present, faithful, and available for the Holy Spirit to use us. Additionally, the risen Christ doesn’t send us alone – He goes with us, even to the very end of the age. We disciple – not by our own strength, but with the love and the authority of the One who lives.

Pray and reflect:

• Take time to ponder about how you are growing as God’s disciple today. Ask God to help you to continually know His heart and to stay close to Him.
• Is there someone around you that God is calling you to walk with, love or teach His Word? Take some time to pray and commit the person to God, and seek courage from the Holy Spirit to act in obedience to His call.