Discipleship and me

DISCIPLESHIP is a concept with basic assumptions, that of the presence of teachers, disciples, and subject matter.

The Church is a community of Discipleship, founded by the great founder, Jesus Christ.

The focus in the Church is on the Founder and his way and will. He is to be obeyed and followed in all aspects of living, thinking, speaking and doing as shown and known from the New Testament.

The New Testament tells us that seven of the Twelve Disciples were found and called directly by Jesus to follow him and they did. Those have called the other five to come and meet the Messiah and they also followed him. Those, were called by him, trained by him and were directly commissioned by him to make disciples.

On the first evening of His Resurrection, Jesus said to the twelve, and through them The Church, to come “As the Father sent me even so I send you”.

And just before ascending to heaven He told them: “… Go therefore and make disciples of all nations… Teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you, and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age.”

The Church, the Community of Disciples is commissioned, empowered, and sent to continue the mission of its Founder, to make disciples through teaching and healing.

At different times and places, I asked three persons the same question: What Discipleship to Christ means today?

A Brazilian missionary said: “…Showing Jesus through thinking, words and action…”.

A Lebanese Pastor said: “In the context of the Middle East is to stay in the area as a Church and feel that God has called us to witness and service while many have left for fear. Discipleship is having a quality presence despite the situation and hope to make a difference in all you do rather than calling people to become protestant. It is witness to Christ through service. No running away in difficult times.”

The Church, the community of disciples is commissioned, empowered, and sent to continue the mission of its founder, to make disciples through teaching and healing.

An American Presbyterian visiting Lebanon said: “Going to, and stand with the Churches under oppression, providing solidarity, encouraging, and supporting their service and witness. Helping churches who do stay facing difficulties in their countries and not running away, is a sign of being disciples.” Standing beside the Church in Syria must these days, challenge us in the west.

Our Presbyterian Church in Homs – Syria, in the face of tremendous violence that has been inflicted on the Syrian people desired to remain faithful to its call and continue its witness. It has created an activity of inviting youth of all communities to meet regularly, do sports, hold discussion groups, examining what caused all the violence and what could be the end. How can we all make our future together? How can we work for peace, justice, and promote human rights for all?

How can we show that we are of equal value in the eyes of God?

How can we get to know each other and make friends of neighbuors?

The tragic events in Syria caused many families to become refugees in Lebanon. Great numbers of children are scattered on the streets, denied schooling and a childhood environment. While we cannot make them disciples, we had to become disciples to them. Our presbyterian church founded educational centres and collected 750 children from the camps, provided education, and daily needs, showed love and concern to them, something that had transformed them to normal children, playing, laughing and learning.

Discipleship is hearing Jesus’ call, following in His steps of love and service.

John 20:21 Jesus sent the disciple, and Lk 4:18-21 described his ministry, the disciple’s ministry

“Discipleship is hearing Jesus’ call, following in His steps of love and service.

Where is the Church today as a maker of disciples as Jesus commanded?

As the world is full of hungry, oppressed, in need for healing, shelter, peace, freedom and justice, how can the church become disciples to all? Through love, service, and negating all injustice.

Surely the challenge is great, but Jesus promised to be with us to the end of age, and He is