Defining Discipleship
Step Three - Follow

In the last article, we looked at calling. The need to be called, and the need to call others. Following is the other side of the coin. Both are required to be a disciple. If we are called, but don't follow, then we will never truly be disciples

What does it mean to follow?

For many people today, being a Christian equates to going to a church meeting on Sunday, and trying to be good. That may be a sweeping generalisation, so forgive me if it doesn't represent you.

When Jesus called his disciples to follow him, they actually did. Leaving their livelihoods, and travelling with him.

As he walked along he saw Levi, the son of Alphaeus. Levi was sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” Jesus told him. Levi got up and followed him

Mark 2: 14 (NIV)

It is important to notice, however, that Jesus calling varied depending on the individual. In another story we see Jesus casting multiple demons out of a man and setting him free from his afflictions. What follows is very interesting

As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him. Jesus did not let him, but said, “Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed.

Mark 5: 18-20 (NIV)

In these three verses we see Jesus doing something extraodinary. The man had been living rough in a graveyard for years. He has had no discipleship or training other than a brief encounter with Jesus. He asks to follow Jesus. Instead, however, Jesus calls, commmissions and sends him out immediately.

The demon posessed man's calling was very different from the twelve, and yet in my view, he is no less of a disciple. Jesus gives him very specific instructions, and from this account he does exactly what he was told.

The first step is to ask

The demon posessed man asked Jesus “Can I go with you?”.

If we are serious about discipleship, we need to ask Jesus. In the words of Paul:

“What shall I do, Lord?”

Acts 22: 10 (NIV)

This needs to be a genuine question, and we have to be prepared for the an unexpected answer. Like the demon-posessed man Jesus' call our lives may not be what we expect.

The second step is to listen

Listening to God is not always easy. We struggle to find ways to hear him in our busy lives. The best way to listen is to make space for him to speak. To dedicate a time every day where we pray, asking him to speak, and read his word expecting him to speak through it.

Discovery Bible Study is a great way of allowing the Bible to speak to us. The questions “What does this tell me about God?” and “What am I going to do about it?” are extremely helpful for allowing us to discern God's will for us from the passage. You can use our Daily Discovery Bible Study, or the Discover App to get started with this.

Often God speaks to us through scripture. We learn about his general will. The calling and the commands which he gives to all believers. Hearing and obeying these are important steps in our ongoing discipleship. Some people will also find God speaking to them specifically through his word. Something in the passage resonates with what we are feeling and or answers a question we have been asking.

Eli realized that the Lord was calling the boy. So Eli told Samuel, “Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place.

1 Samuel 3: 8-9 (NIV)

For others, God may speak in a time of quietness. As we go for a walk, or contemplate the word we have just read. Like Samuel, we need to listen. For some, he will speak through our life circumstances, or a word from other people. A burning passion will awaken in our hearts for the poor, the lost, a city or a nation. When these passions arise, we need to test them. Are they from God? Does this fit with his general will? Does it agree with what we read in scripture?

The final step is to obey

We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.

1 John 2: 3-6

For the demoniac, his call was not to follow Jesus physically, but to go and tell everyone what had happened. For the disciples it was to leave their businesses and spend three years of itinerate ministry.

We know about these calls only because they obeyed. The fact that we are following Jesus today is down to their obedience.

Take Action

So what about you? What is God asking you to do?

• Set aside some time every day for the next week to seek God for his calling. Maybe set an alarm on your phone.
• Find a reading plan to follow, or subscribe to the Daily Discovery Bible Study
• Ask God to speak to you through the passage
• Answer the question “What is it asking me to do?”
• Do what God is asking you to do