Synthesize the readings from the Dempsey & Earley and Putman et al. textbooks
and
- Create your own definition of a follower of Jesus; use Scripture to support your
definition.
For your replies, compare and contrast your definition of a follower of Jesus with the definitions
given by your classmates noting the differences and similarities presented as well as the
outcomes of the differences as they relate to disciple making.
Determining only three characteristics of a follower of Jesus Christ is a challenge. There
are so many more than three characteristics that a follower of Jesus Christ would have and many
of those not necessary exclusive. Although God is the final judge of who is or isn’t a follower,
we can use the Bible as a beacon to guide us as to what characteristics a follower of Jesus Christ
would present.
The three characteristic of a follower of Jesus Christ are holding to His teachings (self),
loving others (relational), and transformation.[1] First, “If you hold to my teaching, you are
really my disciples” (John 8:31) is saying that obedience is a key principle of becoming a
disciple. His teaching are the guidelines and laws that are written in the Bible. This characteristic
is especially important in today’s modern thinking. Today’s Christians often use the Bible like a
buffet by obeying what they agree with and avoiding to acknowledge the things that are
inconvenient or they do not agree with. Jesus Christ says to hold to all his teachings, not just the
ones we agree with.
The second characteristic is relational. “By this everyone will know that you are my
disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:35). Christians today believe in “home church”
where you can study the Bible on your own and have a personal relationship with God and it’s
not necessary to interact with other Christians. The phrase “love one another” is an entire
separate conversation and topic to be discussed, but the point here is that a disciple cannot truly
be a disciple if he or she is alone. The interaction with others is a necessary part of being a
disciple.
The third characteristic of a disciple is transformation. “We all, who with unveiled faces
contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory,
which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit” (2 Corinthians 3:18). When we are dwelling
inside God’s glory and Word, we are to be transformed into his image. Dr. Rod Dempsey says
what it means to be a disciple is, “Knows, grows, goes”. The “growing” part is growing in Christ
and the transformation. “The measure for discipleship isn’t how many times a week you read the
Bible, although that is important,” says King. “It’s how much you are growing in
Christlikeness.”[2]
Due to my lack of Bible knowledge and understanding of God and the Word, it’s difficult
to make my own definition of a follower of Christ. The reason I’m studying and taking this
course is to find and refine my definition. At this time, my current definition of a follower of
Jesus is defined in the book of Matthew as “The Greatest Commandment”. “Love the Lord your
God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and
greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law
and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (Matt 22:37-40).
[1] Putman, Jim, Bobby Harrington, and Robert E. Coleman. DiscipleShift: Five Steps That Help
Your Church to Make Disciples Who Make Disciples. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2013.
[2] Ibid.
And discipleship often takes a long time, says Jonathan Dodson, author of Gospel-Centered
Discipleship. Dodson warns discipleship can’t be reduced to a system, where you enter as a new
believer and pop out the other side as a disciple.
“It’s easy in our culture to retain that thin commitment because if you don’t like one church, you
can go down the street and find another one,” he says.
“Don’t be afraid of slow discipleship,”
After a year or two, those new disciples will be able to go out and pass on what they’ve learned
—and perhaps start a discipleship group on their own.
Putman, Jim, Bobby Harrington, and Robert E. Coleman. DiscipleShift: Five Steps That Help
Your Church to Make Disciples Who Make Disciples. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2013.
Earley, Dave, and Rod Dempsey. Disciple Making Is…: How to Live the Great Commission with
Passion and Confidence. Nashville: B&H Publishing Group, 2013.
Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)
