Discipling

As I mentioned in this post, I had to apologize to some women in my life for my failings with them.

One of the things I've been learning a lot about lately is the importance of discipleship.

Not only am I supposed to have someone (or multiple people) discipling me and helping me grow...but I need to be discipling others and helping them grow.

In fact, Jesus calls us at the end of Matthew to "go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" (Matthew 28:19, NIV).

We should be walking so closely with those in our lives that we are constantly teaching and encouraging them to be more like Christ.

While it may seem impossible, especially in the midst of our busy society, it is absolutely necessary. It's something we need to make time for. It's something that should be so important to us, something we are passionate about.


One of the reasons I know discipleship is so important is because it's something Jesus did. He chose a select few to follow Him closely, to learn from Him, and to then go out and do the same with others. While He of course taught the crowds that followed Him as well, it was the 12 that He really devoted the majority of His time to. It's extremely important that we do the same.

It will be lived out differently in each of our lives, but I'm sure there is someone or a couple of people that immediately come to mind that we should be teaching and encouraging in a much deeper way to follow Christ more closely. Or, even those who don't already have a relationship with Christ. If not, I would encourage you to begin praying about it. Pray that God brings people your way that He wants you to lead closer to Him. It may be tough, you may have to call them out on some things...but it will be worth it in the long run.

And, if you yourself are not being discipled, be praying for someone to come into your life that will do that for you. You may have to seek it out yourself. It definitely does not hurt to ask someone.