The Modern Day Disciple

I’m frequently asked What a Modern Day Disciple is; as if I’m speaking a foreign language. Well, just like the biblical meaning of discipleship, a Modern Day Disciple can be characterized as one who follows Christ and spreads God’s word. 

No… You don’t need to be a Clergy to be a Disciple; lots of Christians share 

Modern Day Disciple

 their faith and spread the good news liberally. Over the years, I have encountered infinite people that hadn’t attended church and I invited them to come to church with me; some accepted the invitation – some didn’t. If you’ve ever met someone who hasn’t experience a Christian lifestyle and you invited them to attend church with you; or go to a church event, you too are a Modern Day Disciple. There are countless people who were not brought up in a Christian household, but most likely they have been, or will be invited to church by a friend or social contact. 

Hebrews 10:24-25 emphasizes the importance of Christian Fellowship and making it a priority to meet and support others who share our faith; and isn’t that exactly what any friendship is all about. We stumble upon acquaintances and learn that we share common interests and beliefs; thus a bonded friendship is formed and our place of worship grows. Hebrews 13:15-16 goes on to say that through Jesus, we must always praise God and openly profess His name and share His good news. Romans 12:4-5 as well as 1 Corinthians 12:12-14 and 1 Corinthians 12:27 supports this theology by saying that the many members of one church belong to one another when they are transformed into one body. 

In Ephesians 4:11-15, the bible clearly conveys that Christ himself equipped his people to bring to light the body of Christ in unity and faith until we as a Christian community fully mature. 

John 15:5 reminds us of Jesus words saying that He is the vine and we are the branches; and goes on to say that apart from Him we can do nothing. As Jesus said, he built his church – Matthew 16:18 – and as 1 Peter 3:15 would suggest, it’s up to us as Modern Day Disciples to preserve it and keep it going.      

Jesus told his Disciples to go into the world and preach the gospel to all creation – Mark 16:15. The bottom line is, to the best of my knowledge, there are no reclusive Disciples in the Bible. We feed off the connections of others in our worship communities and we share our spiritual gifts with everyone we meet; just as Jesus’ Disciples did back in the day. 

So for those of you who did not consider yourself a Disciple before now, I would invite you to embrace your newfound Discipleship and go out into the world and invite someone to church; then continue to spread the good news as a Modern Day Disciple for Christ.