One HeartSample

ONE HEART FOR DISCIPLESHIP

2 Corinthians 5:17–20 (CSB)  Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has come! Everything is from God, who has reconciled us to himself through Christ and has given us the ministry of reconciliation.  That is, in Christ, God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and he has committed the message of reconciliation to us. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us. We plead on Christ’s behalf: “Be reconciled to God.” 

The heart of God is that every person on Earth would be a disciple of Jesus and thereafter become a disciple maker of others. It is in Jesus that we find peace, purpose, worth, calling, and love. So, what exactly is a disciple? And furthermore, what is discipleship? 

A disciple is defined in Matthew 4:19 when Jesus calls His first disciples as,  (1) Someone who follows Jesus,  (2) Someone who is becoming more like Jesus, and (3) Someone who is committed to the mission of Jesus. 

Discipleship is the ever-furthering journey of becoming a mature Christ follower, in the power of the Spirit and in the pattern of Jesus’ life and teaching. As Jesus followers, we are called to lead all people toward reconciliation with God through faith in Jesus and then teach them His life-giving ways and wisdom. 

The Bible sees this journey similarly to that of a person’s physiological development, moving from spiritual infancy to spiritually mature father- and motherhood. 

Discipleship is Kingdom-influence in the lives of others. Every disciple is called to not only love and follow Jesus themselves, but to take co-responsibility for the growth and flourishing of others. Is it not amazing that God has decided to co-labour with us? He has called each of us as an ambassador, bringing his Kingdom to Earth, one relationship at a time.

Reflect

• If you think about your current life-stage and vocation, what unique mission field has God called you to?
• What would one next step be in your own journey as both disciple and disciple maker?

Prayer

• Pray for a mission-driven wisdom and compassion regarding the colleagues, friends, family members, and neighbours that surround you.
• Pray for every church you know by name, that God would set our hearts ablaze for the Great Commission.

This brings us to the end of our ONE HEART journey.  May you constantly be challenged to have ONE HEART for God, His people, the lost and for discipling those new to the faith.  

Continue to pray for the Churches in our city to spread the message of salvation, hope and restoration through the ONE name, the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.