Discipleship: a long, but rewarding journey

By the time this article is published, most schools will be back in session.

With that being said I have seen some of my friends on social media who have children who have already begun pre-bedtime training by getting them accustomed to go into bed by a certain time.

Typically for most students nowadays, they begin with pre-kindergarten (if not at home by parents) and continue on to high school. Basically 14 grades for years of education, then more if one goes on to get a higher degree.

But what about a follower of Jesus? What about being a disciple?

A very good definition of a disciple is one who accepts and assists in spreading the doctrines of another — such as a follower of Jesus does.

Another way to out it is a convinced adherent of a school or individual, thus again like a follower of the teachings and example of Jesus.

That is what the first 12 did when Jesus invited them to become one of his disciples.

“As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him. Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.” — Matthew 4:18-22

The Scriptures say, “When Jesus went ashore, He saw a large crowd, and He felt compassion for them because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and He began to teach them many things.” — Matthew 5:2

Does it end when one makes the good confession of faith?

Jesus asked Peter “Who do you say I am?” Peter says that Jesus is the Messiah.

Then for the next three years Jesus taught the 12 disciples one on one about the kingdom of God. He also instructed the crowd that followed him and those that also became his followers.

Fast forward to 2023.

We have the formulated Word that the first 12 and later followers didn’t have until the mid-first century. And that was limited to a small group that were able to read.

Most of the early teaching was by the oral tradition of a teacher sharing the teaching of Jesus to the students sitting around and listening. They then did the same to their fellow friends.

Jesus used stories about the kingdom, short sayings, parables, and personal interaction with people to convey his message. All were invited to sit at the feet of the teacher as a disciple

Boy did Peter have a learning curve.

Sometimes I think that I too have a learning curve — and I’ve been at this a very long time.

What I have learned is that being a disciple and a follower of Jesus is not a one time “good confession of faith,” but it is a lifelong journey — even until we take our last earthly breath and are called to our heavenly eternal home.

I have also learned that there will be mountain top experiences where we think that we have totally figured out what it means to live the gospel daily. Then there will be those dark deep valley experiences were we feel that we are totally lost and confused and all alone in our journey.

It is at those times I think that the Holy Spirit comes and ministers to us and gives us strength for our witness and journey.

If you have not made the good confession of faith and are studying the Holy Scriptures, it is my prayer that God will send His spirit to give you discernment for the greatest decisions you will ever make in your life.

“For in the day of my weakness He will conceal me in His tabernacle; in the secret place of His tent He will hide me; He will lift me up on a rock. — Psalm 27:5

“If you really love me, you will keep the commandments I have given you and I shall ask the Father to give you someone else to stand by you, to be with you always. I mean the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot accept, for it can neither see nor recognize that Spirit. But you recognize him, for he is with you now and will be in your hearts. I am not going to leave you alone in the world — I am coming to you. In a very little while, the world will see me no more but you will see me, because I am really alive and you will be alive too. When that day come, you will realize that I am in my Father, that you are in me, and I am in you.” — John 14:16

May it always be so in your discipleship.

Rev. Frank Chlastak began work as senior minister of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Poplar Bluff on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2015.

Rev. Chlastak is a graduate of Northeast Louisiana University and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and has served congregations of the Christian Church in Louisiana, Arkansas, Virginia, Oklahoma and Missouri.