Offering intentional pathways of discipleship dramatically increases the likelihood that people will begin and continue growing in Christian faith and action. Pathway infers that discipleship involves journey and movement. When Jesus made the invitation, “Come, follow Me,” he wasn’t speaking metaphorically. People literally left routines and preoccupations of their lives to explore what life can become by walking with God. Recall how much of the Bible highlights journeys and encounters as avenues of God’s presence and formational opportunities for growth.
I think this speaks to the nature of Christian discipleship itself. What do we mean by our shared mission together “to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world?” Jesus provides clarity in response to a question.
One of the religion scholars came up. Hearing the lively exchanges of question and answer and seeing how sharp Jesus was in his answers, he put in his question: “Which is most important of all the commandments?” Jesus said, “The first in importance is, ‘Listen, Israel: The Lord your God is one; so love the Lord God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence and energy.’ And here is the second: ‘Love others as well as you love yourself.’ — Mark 12:28-31
Relationship is where love happens. Love calls us into new frontiers of connection, even with ourselves. Love outdistances the pondering of ideas. It surpasses even belief, because it moves and calls us to embody, not just think. God’s graceful compassion is a life force that fuels us to reach out and expend our energy for the good of all, especially the most vulnerable. Love is experiential and transformative – sacred in the giving and receiving. Our faith and practice arises from the affirmation that “God is Love.”
With this understanding in mind, Jesus’ Great Commission for all of us makes so much sense.
“God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I’ll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age.” — Matthew 28:19-20
This new column in the LINK, Pathways of Discipleship, will highlight stories and ideas from congregations, extension ministries, and people’s lives that reveal a network of paths, journeys and relationships, which encourage persons to powerful intentionality in going deeper and wider in loving God, loving those we know, loving strangers, and loving the world. What are new pathways and possibilities that your congregation can implement to consistently help persons journey further in faith and love? Stayed tuned for the next installment – Why camps and retreats make powerful pathways of discipleship.
