Discipleship is the soil from which the fruits of the faith grow.
When asked what or who constitutes a disciple, most people would likely respond “a follower,” having in mind the Twelve who Jesus called in the Gospel accounts. And indeed, Jesus did beckon them each to follow him.
Yet defining “disciple” as “follower” isn’t quite accurate.
The word “disciple” literally means “learner” or “student.”
The word “disciple” literally means “learner” or “student.” And while disciple comes from the Latin, the Greek word is no different. In fact, the Greek word for disciple contains the same root word we find in mathematics (“knowledge”).
Thus it makes sense to revise our previous definition: a disciple might be a follower, but they are a follower with a specific purpose– to learn. Therefore if baptized Christians are called to lives of discipleship, we are not merely called to be followers of Jesus, but to be students of Jesus.
This brings up a fairly obvious question: If we are to be students of Jesus, then how do we learn from him? It’s a fair question, especially since we unlike the Twelve do not have the living, breathing, corporeal Jesus walking around with us to teach us.
Before we attempt an answer to that question, however, let’s back up one more step and ask how we learn anything at all.
At the most fundamental level, I believe we learn anything and everything the same way: through 1.) encounter, and 2.) engagement.
We encounter something new– in a classroom, in a book, in the world– and then we engage with that thing in various ways. The end result of this engagement is learning, and the cumulative learnings of a community is knowledge. (How we judiciously apply this learning might be called wisdom.)
Returning to our previous question then– if we learn through encounter and engagement, then how do we encounter and engage with Jesus Christ?
I believe that we encounter and engage with Jesus in five primary ways.
These five aspects of discipleship are:
- Worship: We encounter Jesus Christ in our worship. This is especially true of a sacramental tradition like ours in the Episcopal Church which holds to a eucharistic theology of real presence– the idea that Jesus becomes really present to us in the mystery of the liturgy.
- Prayer: Though we pray as part of our worship, we also (hopefully) pray on our own outside of corporate worship. Jesus meets us in these moments of prayer.
- Study: Of course, we encounter Jesus Christ in our study of Scripture, but I believe we also encounter Jesus in other places, too. We can encounter Jesus in poetry or fiction or film, in studying our creation, in scientific disciplines, and the list goes on. We shouldn’t forget that Jesus tells us to “love the Lord [our] God with all our heart, soul, and mind!”
- Service: In the Gospels, Jesus speaks often of service to others, and he encourages his disciples to live as servant leaders (think: John 13). We are called to the same vocation. Additionally, in Matthew 25, Jesus tells us that when we serve others (especially the oppressed, the poor, and the downtrodden), we serve Jesus himself. For these reasons, I think we encounter Jesus in a profound and unique way when we open our hearts and extend our hands in service to others by demonstrating the self-giving love that Jesus exemplified.
- Fellowship: Finally, we encounter Jesus in one another– in laughter, in joy, and in the sharing of stories. We see God at work in our lives in new and important ways when we share our story with others and when we have the privilege of hearing others’ stories. We need to remember that Jesus wasn’t a loner; instead, he called others to join him in his ministry. Community is vital to the Christian life, and I believe that we meet Jesus when we meet one another.
I believe that each of these five aspects, when taken as a whole, constitute the fullness of the Christian life. (Or something approaching it, anyway.) They summarize the principal ways that we encounter Jesus and engage with Jesus. Through that process and rhythm of continual encounter and engagement, we are transformed. Over time, we find ourselves steadily molded into the image of our Teacher.
We are followers, but with a purpose.
We are followers, but with a purpose.
Discipleship is not merely something that happens in small groups or on Sunday morning or in a rector’s forum. Rather, discipleship is what happens in all of those things together. It is an active engagement in a life of faith. Discipleship isn’t a passive exercise whereby someone else does our faith for us and we simply plod along behind. Instead, discipleship is a conscious exercise that requires intention, discipline, and care.
Through that care and intention, we see spiritual growth and maturity. (Don’t take my word for it– read the letters of Paul!) In my next post, I’ll explore what it means to view the church as a community of learners devoted to this purpose of spiritual growth and maturity. Until then, think about how you might be engaging in the five aspects of discipleship I described above. Are there some that you might be missing in you life?
CAMERON & SURPLICE 