Ten Seconds
Five short and meaningful discipleship definitions
by Trevor Lee
Ten Count
If you were given just ten seconds, how would you define discipleship? Better yet, grab a
stopwatch, hit the start button and see what comes out. This may seem like a trite
exercise or an attempt at stressing you out, but you can tell a lot about your handle on a
topic when you have to explain it on the spot. In ten seconds there’s no time to think
back on what you’ve heard about what it means to be a disciple of Jesus, let alone
formulate new thoughts about it.
Exploring the depths of discipleship takes time. You can’t do it in depth in just ten
seconds, but it is possible to give a good summary. That’s what’s coming up—five
definitions of discipleship that you could give in less than ten seconds. After each one is
some more explanation (in case you have thirty seconds).
Discipleship is learning and living the way of life taught by Jesus.
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and
of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have
commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. Matthew
28:19-20 (NIV)
Disciples are not just people who know something—they are people who do something.
When Jesus commanded his disciples to go and make more disciples the two things he
specifically told them to do with these disciples were to baptize them and to teach them to
obey his commands. Much of discipleship is wrapped up in learning the way of life taught
by Jesus and then living in that way through the power of the Holy Spirit. As we learn the
way of Jesus, hopefully we also become more like him and walk the path of discipleship.
Discipleship is learning to discern the voice of the Holy Spirit and the
walking in step with him.
So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh
desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in
conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. But if you are led by
the Spirit, you are not under the law. Galatians 5:16-18
Before Jesus left the earth he told his disciples it would be better for them to have the
Holy Spirit than it was for them to have him. I’m guessing a few of them disagreed at the
time. The Holy Spirit is a powerful gift for anyone who wants to be a disciple of Jesus. He
gives guidance, comfort, and conviction throughout our lives if we’re open to it. The fruit
of the Spirit is the outward evidence of powerful internal transformation. It is impossible
to sin and listen to the Spirit at the same time. This is why Paul could say that if we are
led by the Spirit we are not under law.
Discipleship is the process of bringing every part of your life under the
authority and influence of Jesus.
And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who
died for them and was raised again. 2 Corinthians 5:15
Thinking about what God wants when you’re at church, small group, or reading your Bible
isn’t too hard. When it comes to considering how following Jesus impacts your job, your
spending habits, or how much TV you watch at night, it’s not quite so simple. In 2
Corinthians Paul tells the church that they aren’t supposed to live for themselves but for
Jesus. He doesn’t say that disciples of Jesus should devote one day a week to living for him
but that they should live their whole lives for him.
This means that there should not be any part of our lives that is not shaped by the fact
that we are Jesus’ disciples. With the help of the Holy Spirit and the guidance of the
Scriptures we learn to progressively bring all we are and all we do under the authority and
influence of Jesus.
Discipleship is an exploration of loving God with all your heart, soul, and
mind.
Jesus replied, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all
your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment.” Matthew 22:37-38
Since Jesus gives this as the greatest commandment it’s not a shocker that it has a lot to do
with discipleship. While discipleship certainly can be defined in terms of being obedient
to Jesus’ teaching, as was done earlier, it is important that this obedience is framed in the
context of love for God. As our hearts (passions), souls, and minds are turned toward a
deep love for God our entire being will be transformed. This transformation is a large part
of the goal of discipleship.
There is much to loving God fully and it goes across all the lines of who we are and what
we do. In the same way an explorer could give her entire life to exploring the ocean
without ever seeing it all, we can search what it means to love God without ever
exhausting our search.
Discipleship is unique conformity—conforming your life to Jesus and his
way through your unique gifts, passions, abilities, and personality.
Our organization is called Unique Conformity—did you really think that wouldn’t make
the list? Every person who receives the gospel and becomes a disciple of Jesus is called to
conform to Jesus and his way. This is not a negotiable if we want to be disciples. In fact, if
we are not in the process of conforming then we are disciples of something other than
Jesus.
At the same time, God has made us with unique gifts, personalities, passions, and abilities.
He wants these to be conformed to the way of Jesus, but he doesn’t want to take them
away! Discovering how God wants to shape and use the things that are unique about us is
essential if we are to become what God wants us to be. Discipleship lies in the interplay of
uniqueness and conformity.
Group Discussion Questions
1.
How did you define discipleship in ten seconds at the beginning? What are the
strengths and weaknesses of your quick definition?
2. How does your definition of discipleship impact your process of being a disciple?
3. Work together to craft the best ten second definition of discipleship you can. (If
you do this please share it on the Unique Conformity Facebook page!)
Trevor Lee is the founder and president of Unique Conformity and the pastor
of Mountair Christian Church in urban Denver. He has been married to
Michelle for more than ten years and they have two kids—Isaiah and Ayla.
Copyright 2011 Unique Conformity, Inc.