DISCIPLESHIP EXPLORED

Christian discipleship is a term that many of us never hear, so it might behelpful to understand it from a biblical viewpoint.Well, what is discipleship according to the Bible? The word for "disciple" is bestunderstood to mean a person who learns from and who follows a masterteacher. In contrast to our current Western age, learning in Jesus' time wasvery personal and holistic. "Discipleship in this sense meant much more thanjust the transmission of information, knowledge and skill sets ... rather itrelated to imitating the teacher's way of life, including his values, andreproducing his teachings."In summary, Christian discipleship means having a growing relationship withJesus.Jesus' expectation for his followers is very clear; it is to become increasingly likeHimself (Luke 6:40). "In the heart of a disciple there is a desire, and there is adecision or settled intent. A disciple of Christ desires above all else to be like him..."Jesus said, "if anyone would come after me, let him deny himself, take up 

Christian discipleship is a term that many of us never hear, so it not helpful to understand it from a biblical viewpoint.Well, what is discipleship according to the Bible? The word for "disciple" is best understood to mean a person who learns from and who follows a master teacher. In contrast to our current Western age, learning in Jesus very personal and holistic. "Discipleship in this sense meant much more then just the transmission of information, knowledge and skill sets ...related to imitating the teacher's way of life, including his values,reproducing his teachings."

In summary, Christian discipleship means having a growing relationship with Jesus.

Jesus' expectation for his followers is very clear; it is to become increasingly like Himself (Luke 6:40). "In the heart of a disciple there is a desire, and there is decision or settled intent. A disciple of Christ desires above all else..."

Jesus said, "if anyone would come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me" ([Luke 9:23, ESV]Dallas Willard, The Spirit of the Disciplines (San Francisco, CA: HarperCollins,1991), 271.

"He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver."(Malachi 3:3)This particular verse can be very puzzling for some people, and many have wondered what this statement means about the nature and character of God.We can all gain a better understanding of the nature and character of Godwhen we investigate the actual process of refining silver.If you watch a silversmith at work, you will notice that he holds a piece of silver over a very hot fire and lets it heat up. In the process of refining silver, the silversmith needs to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames are hottest as to burn away all the impurities.We could think about God holding us in such a hot place and reconsider theverse. The verse that says: "He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver." In reality does the silversmith have to sit in front of the fire the whole time the silver is being refined? Not only does he have to sit there holding the silver, but he hasto keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it is in the fire. If the silver is left for a moment too long in the flames, it will be destroyed. If we asked the silversmith: "How do you know when the silver is fully refined?" He will answer and say, "Oh, that's easy - when I see my image in it."God has His eye on you and will keep watching you until He sees His image in you. Amen.