“Fellowship with God is the privilege of all, and the unceasing experience of but a few.” --Author Unknown
Lately I’ve been drawn to the word discipleship. What does it mean? How do we carry it out? Am I being discipled? Am I discipling others?
As I see it, discipleship takes place in three categories in the body of Christ. These are clearly illustrated in the life of Jesus.
The first category is the large group. Jesus discipled people first by teaching them in large groups—"the multitudes." To me, this corresponds to the Sunday morning worship service. We will grow in the Lord as we meet together corporately to worship and sit under the teaching of the Word of God. The large group meeting is part of our discipleship. It has a place in the Christian life.
The second category is the small group. Jesus called 12 disciples, and the Bible specifically says He called them "that they might be with him" (Mark 3:14a). That's one of the main reasons He called them. He spent a lot of time just with those 12 men developing a special relationship with them. The small group is where we become relational. It's where we get to know each other more personally and build relationships. Small groups include various church ministries such as home fellowship, men's and women's Bible studies, children's ministry, youth group, prison outreach, and a host of others. For many years, I (and my family) have taken part in many small group settings. Over time, those team members got to see my imperfections, and I saw theirs. We even joked with each other about our differences. But one thing happened. We got to know one another personally through that ministry time together. Even now, I continue to make it a priority to stay involved in some form of small group fellowship. Not only because scripture shows the benefit of being together and growing in my own walk with Christ, but also for the purpose of being “sent out to preach” (Mark 3:14b) and helping mature others in their walk.
The third category of discipleship is the smaller group. Among the 12 apostles, Jesus often took with Him Peter, James, and John to places that the other nine didn't get to go. And even among those three, there was one, John, who became known as "the disciple whom Jesus loved" (John 13:23). John had a unique, singular relationship with Jesus that was unlike that of the other 11. The smaller group is where we experience three-on-one, two-on-one, or one-on-one discipleship.
I believe each category—the large group, small group, and smaller group—constitutes a vital part of our discipleship, and that no part should be excluded. Yet, it's in the small groups that we become connected with each other. In those relationships, not only will we grow, but through our lives, others will grow too. In turn, our investments in one another's lives will contribute to the growth of the body. Small groups, home fellowships, and relational ministries are a necessary part of our Christian walk. As we become relational in the church of Jesus Christ, we will mature as Christians.
Things to Think About:
- Will you make it a priority to exercise your privilege of spending time with God?
- Will you make it a priority to help mature and grow the church spiritually by joining a small group?
- Will you join the few (in accordance to the Word) in investing of yourself as you step out in faith to ask for discipleship and disciple another?
