The 3 Core Components of Discipleship
by Sheldon Bryan
The question of discipleship has occupied the core of my ministry approach for close to 20 years. Years ago, I developed a basic paradigm for discipleship. I know that discipleship has many facets to it. However, within my general program, I address three issues at the core of any discipleship program.
Core Component #1: Pleasing God
First, I examine our commitment to a life lived to please God. Discipleship is, first and foremost, a life lived to please God. Discipleship means following Jesus beyond the accolades of popular culture and through the conflicts and swords that confessing Jesus brings to home and nation. Discipleship is committing to the sacrifices that cross-bearing requires of all would-be disciples.
I use the story of Esther to talk about four main discipleship principles to living life that is pleasing to God. (1) Disciples experience the liberty of asking anything and receiving the answer. (2) Disciples have an intensity to minister in trying circumstances because God grants them peace. (3) Disciples are given the facility to accomplish God’s will. (4) Disciples have expectancy even in hopeless situations.
Once we understand that the foundation of discipleship is a relationship that pleases God, we can move to our second and third discipleship core issues. Both can be summed up in one word: communication.
Core Component #2: Receiving the Word
Our second discipleship issue is our reception of the Word of God. Disciples need to develop an ear for the Word, and lips that know how to impart the Word with grace and power. Here, I examine four responses to the Word: (1)defiance, (2) emotionalism, (3) dividedness, and (4) obedience.
Learning how to hear the Word involves getting the heart ready to receive the Word. This involves examining any resistance to the Word we might have in our hearts. Then, we all need to have resilient roots if we are to become better through the problems we face daily. Listening demands a commitment that is deeper than surface acceptance. A surface acceptance is emotional at its core. It does not have enough staying power to grow through the inevitable opposition that comes because of our commitment to Christ.
Listening to the Word further requires total allegiance. Material wants or thirst for wealth often becomes a dangerous distraction. Discipleship demands that our lives make Christ’s principles our priority. Fruitfulness will be evidence of our conversion in pleasing God, and in growing and grooming others to know God. Discipleship involves listening to God’s Word and listening to those we teach God’s Word. Fruitful discipleship is a result of a heart open to hearing God’s Word.
Core Component #3: Privileged to Pray
Finally, discipleship is about learning how to exercise the privilege of prayer. Bible Study and prayer are powerful, basic complements central in any disciple’s communication with God. We can tell that we are becoming disciples when our attitude toward holiness, bible study, evangelism, and prayer changes for the better. In the last segment, I analyze the prayer life of disciples using model prayers from 4 luminaries.
Using (1) Abraham’s prayer for Sodom and Gomorrah, I articulate the privilege of intercession. (2) Mary’s prayer of surrender is the second model prayer I examine. It teaches the power of partnership that is foundational to a disciple’s prayer life. (3) Nehemiah’s prayer life is the third model prayer. Nehemiah reads like the prayer journal of a transformative leader. When I teach about prayer, I focus on how our personal stories impact our prayers for change. Lastly, I end with (4) Jesus as the ultimate agent of prayer. His prayer for Peter illustrates how prayer uncovers aspects of our character, circumstances, and commitments that impact the effectiveness of our discipleship.
Here’s how I use it in my church…
In addition to teaching about the importance of a commitment to please God and to communicate with God in Bible study and prayer, my ministry to the three churches I pastor revolves around five main questions that seek to encourage deeper engagement with their discipleship. These questions form the paradigm for all my preaching and teaching within my district. The questions also inform how we share our faith with our communities, how we do life together, how we serve our churches and communities, what we study together, and how we organize our leadership training to develop multi-generational leadership within our congregation. I have included the questions below and a short description of what each question means.
What is your story? This is a question about witnessing, encouraging members to share their experiences with Jesus.
What is your support system? This is a question about pastoring, equipping members to be authentically supportive.
Where do you serve? This is a question about ministry, engaging members in passionate service.
What are you studying? This is a question about discipleship, enhancing members’ core competencies.
Who is your successor? This is a question about mentorship, ensuring intentional multi-generational growth.
While this system may not work for everyone, everywhere, I believe it does highlight some of the principles that are indispensable to any quality discipleship training framework. I pray God’s richest blessings on you as you lead your members to a more vibrant relationship with God.
Sheldon Bryan pastors the Williamsburg, Yale, and Newport News churches in Virginia.
