What Kind of Ship is Discipleship? And do I want to Come on Board?

I was ordained on May 18 of this year and have been called to be a Discipleship Pastor at Victory Lutheran Church in Mesa, AZ! I am so humbled and excited to take on this role, but it is also a role that is causing lots of questions!

Our mission here at Victory is to “be and make disciples of Christ Jesus.” Why? Because Jesus told us to...

Matthew 28:19-20, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

So, what exactly is a Disciple?

Looks like a lot of men! Can women be disciples? Yes!!!!

Being a disciple is what we are called to be as followers of Jesus.

John 8:31 “So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

This verse tells us that disciples not only know what the scriptures say, but disciples also continue to trust Jesus and obey Him and following Him becomes a way of life. 

“Discipleship isn’t a program or an event; it’s a way of life...

It’s not for a limited time, but for our whole life.

Discipleship isn’t just one of the things

the church does; it is what the church

does.

The crucial element of being a disciple of Jesus is acknowledging the presence of God in your life, Emmanuel, “God with us,” and wanting to share this knowledge with others through acts of service based on our giftedness.

John 13:34-35 "Love one another. As I have loved you, love one another. By this all will know that you are my disciples."

We have not chosen to follow Jesus. We have not chosen to be His disciples. He chose us.

He chose each of us to follow Him and to lead others to hear His word of promise. You are on the disciple “ship” whether you remember coming on board or not! I pray that you will continue to sail with us as we through the power of the Holy Spirit invite others to come on board as well!