Really mean business

We can begin by setting ourselves the highest standard for discipleship – the standard Jesus himself set us. This includes loving the Father with all our heart, mind and strength; denying ourselves; lifting our own heavy cross; and following Jesus and loving those around us in active and meaningful ways (Luke 10:25-28, Matthew 16:24-25, James 2:14-17).

Living and travelling together

It will help us if we talk about these commitments daily, read what the Bible has to say about them, and pray and work together to sharpen our focus. Read the Bible (2 Timothy 3:16-17), especially the gospels, with a view to what we must do (not just what we must think). Regular patterns of prayer, together and alone, are essential (Philippians 4:6). Don't forget worship (Hebrews 12:28, Romans 12:1) another key part of becoming a disciple. And worship includes serving one another and the wider community, offering everything back to the Father.

So we need to become kinder, more generous and more patient. We must think about justice, and giving and using our spiritual gifts. And we will need to meet around Jesus and encourage one another. We are responsible for the way we use our time, our skills and our money. These resources are not just for our own pleasure; the way we live speaks volumes about what we value – and the world is watching and listening.

We need to care about our neighbours and about the environment. How can we release more time for friends and family? Are there ways we can represent the Almighty's deep concern for justice? How can we better care for our surroundings? Try to become an ace recycler, or help keep the locality clean and tidy. Save fuel by turning down the heater or the air conditioner; drive less and walk or cycle short distances instead.

Jesus' disciples lived and travelled together, ate and talked and listened and learned together. Community is an essential part of being a disciple, for us as for them. He calls us to love one another as he loves us (Ephesians 4:32, Galatians 5:22-23).

Discuss – Pick one or two of the ideas in this section (or ideas of your own) and consider together how you could use them regularly to focus more on living as disciples of Jesus.

A more effective way

Leaving footprints

If we are going to become disciples, who will disciple us? Sometimes it's been thought that we need to follow others who have set us a good example. But if we follow another person there is always a risk of following some bad habits in amongst the good. This must be so; we know that nobody is perfect.

To do better than this we must follow a leader and guide who is perfect (Matthew 4:18- 22, 5:43-48, John 10:30) , and that's a tall order indeed for any human being – except one.

Discuss – Who could you turn to as the One example to follow? Yes, the answer is obvious, of course. But what does this mean in practice? Talk together about anything you might try to help you become better disciples of Jesus.

Put the gospels first

Measure everything you do against what Jesus taught. And to get to grips with that teaching, read and think about the parables and topics like prayer, money and the kingdom; go through the Sermon on the Mount thoroughly. (Matthew 5:1-7:29) Do your best to absorb these truths into your daily life and expect to be deeply affected by them.

A New Testament papyrus

Reading the gospels on a steady cycle is one idea, aim to read some verses every day. If possible read the same passages as other people you know so you can talk about what you read and share insights. Get as many people as possible to join in. Study one of the gospels in depth from time to time. Studying a gospel can be done together or it might be made the topic for a teaching series.

When you read other parts of the New Testament, read them with the life, words, actions and nature of Jesus as the framework. Let Jesus be the source of light that makes the entire New Testament clear to you. And when you read the Old Testament books, look for Jesus there as well. Interpret everything with Jesus' teachings and actions in mind.

Discuss – Talk together about practical ways you might spend more time in the gospels. They focus on Jesus and they'll help you do the same. What could you do individually? Even better, what could you do together?

Jesus alone

We need to avoid the common idea that we have two lives. There's the life we live in church and the life we live at work and in our free time. One life for Sunday mornings and perhaps a mid-week evening meeting, and another life for the rest of the week. One life with Christians, another life for worldly people. One life following Jesus, another life following our own desires and needs. (Matthew 6:24, Luke 9:57-62)

Partial overlap

Recognise that it's necessary to see things very differently. All of life comes under Jesus' direction.

Discuss – How might you restructure your life around Jesus? Are there things in life that are more important to you than Jesus? Career? Financial security? A nice home? The latest in home entertainment?

Magnificently modelled mission

Make Jesus your primary model for mission. Study the ways he interacted with others, the things he said and the things he did. Prayerfully consider what you can learn from him.

Washing feet

Follow his example in leadership by recognising that he was a servant who washed his disciple's feet. He didn't have or desire any institutional or positional authority, but he had immense moral and spiritual authority. Character trumps position. Check this out in the gospels, see how Jesus led and made disciples, work to become more like him in this.

If Jesus is not the all-consuming centre of my life, I need to be asking the question who (or what) is?

Read 1 Corinthians 8:4-6 and consider what these verses mean. What do they tell you about Jesus? Jesus is described here as a channel for creation and for life. Our awareness of the Almighty's presence in our lives in and through Jesus should stir us up. It is all about him!

Jesus says he only does what he sees the Father do (John 5:19) and only says what he hears the Father say (John 12:49). He came to reveal the Father (John 14:9). It's time to start following him in this. Do only what you see Jesus do; say only what you hear him say; live to reveal Jesus. You will be surprised at the impact this will have. Gradually, even the way you think will change.

Discuss – Why did Jesus wash his disciples feet? (see John 13:1-17) Washing feet was a sign of welcoming guests into the home and honouring them. Whose home is Jesus, as a servant, welcoming them to? For more on the meaning of washing feet see Genesis 18:1-5 and Luke 7:36-50. And notice that washing feet is an action. Jesus is defined by what he does.

Jesus at the centre

We need a fresh understanding of who Jesus really is, every explosive church growth movement throughout history has had this focus. Many of these movements were persecuted and this seems to have given them a fresh and urgent vision. They let go of everything that would hold them back and clung to the core of their faith.

A royal crown

We need to know how Jesus lived and worked because he intends to live and work in these same ways through us. We can so easily block him, that's part of having the privilege and responsibility of free will. And we are often overwhelmed by the complications and demands of modern life; our focus on the essential is lost and we are distracted by so many side issues.

To get away from everything that hinders us we need to focus on Jesus much more. The Bible calls him King, Shepherd, the One and Only, the Son, Master, Teacher, Lord, the Almighty with us (Immanuel), Prince of Peace, the Word and more. Jesus himself said, 'Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father'. (John 14:9) By reading books about him, watching films about his life, and going through the gospels repeatedly we will begin to notice for ourselves what he is like, what he says, what he does and who he is.

Carefully think about where you are spiritually. How do your lives (individually and together) compare with that of Jesus? What changes would he want to see? When you meet, remember that you are meeting, as in all things, in Jesus' name. (Colossians 3:17)

The One

Deuteronomy 6:4-9 makes it very clear; Yahweh is One and we are to love him with everything we have and are. What a dramatic change from earlier times when offerings and worship had to be made to many gods, perhaps repeatedly during the day. For us, today, 'Jesus is Lord' in exactly the same way (1 Corinthians 8:6). No other loyalties are acceptable in our lives, just Jesus.

Jesus is Lord

There are at least three helpful habits we can develop; these are keeping Jesus at the centre, following
Jesus alone, and putting the gospels way, way ahead of anything else.

Discuss – Read Deuteronomy 6:4-9 and think about the difference between one and many where gods are concerned (most people 2000 years ago had to make offerings to many gods). In John 10:30 what does Jesus mean when he says, 'I and the Father are one'? And in John 17:20-23, what does he mean when he prays for all his followers – including you and me?

Jesus at the centre

It's extremely important that Jesus is at the heart of our lives, both individually and in church life too. If we don't get this foundation right we cannot be built into what he wants us to be. What would happen if you built a house of heavy stones but didn't have proper foundations?

Good foundations

The fact is, this forgotten way is fundamental; everything else depends on it and results from it. We need Jesus to be in the right place because he is the only foundation we can trust
(Matthew 16:15-20, 1 Corinthians 3:9-11). Has this way been truly forgotten? Not completely, perhaps, but we have sometimes been half-hearted in following it.

Discuss – Do you follow Jesus in everything? List some parts of your life where you do follow him. List some parts where you don't. Is he the foundation of your daily living, truly?

Jesus at the centre

As his followers, Jesus should be central in all we do. Few would argue with that! The alternative is to do things in our own strength and wisdom and we know this will never be enough.

Aiming for the centre

Here's the opening paragraph from JDMC on 'Jesus at the Centre'.

Start a bandwagon

J

Jesus - Start small, begin with one thing - or rather, start with one person - Jesus. Is he at the centre of your life? Is anyone or anything else trying to share that place with him?

Check out 'Jesus at the centre' in JDMC.

Becoming disciples

Last time we looked at the central part, Jesus at the Centre. This time we'll take a brief look at Becoming Disciples.

Jesus at the Centre

Let's take a look at the central part of JDMC, the hub, the part around which everything else revolves. It's hardly surprising to hear that Jesus is at the centre. It would be disturbing if he was not!