Discipleship and Leadership: From Theory to Daily Practice

Welcome to Equipped for Purpose. I'm your host, Vincent Ream, and this is the podcast

where discipleship meets impactful leadership. Whether you're new to faith or a seasoned

follower of Christ, this podcast is designed to help you deepen your relationship with

Jesus, grow as a leader, and make a difference in every area of your life. Together we'll

explore practical tools, biblical insights, and real-life strategies to equip you for

the purpose God has called you to. Let's dive in.

Welcome back to Equipped for Purpose. I'm excited to spend some time with you today

diving into a topic that is absolutely central to who we are called to be as followers of Jesus

Christ. We hear a lot about discipleship in the church today, but what does it actually mean

to be a disciple of Jesus Christ? Not just in theory, but in our everyday lives. Equipped

for Purpose has a clear mission to equip, develop, and empower followers of Jesus Christ to integrate

deep discipleship with impactful leadership in every area of life. I think that truly following

Jesus isn't just a spiritual add-on. It's the very foundation for living a life of purpose

and leading well, whether that's in your home, your workplace, your community, or your church.

In this episode, we're going to explore what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ in our

daily lives, moving beyond just the definition to understand the practical actions that

define a disciple. We'll be drawing on some foundational understandings of what it means

to be a disciple based on definitions we've explored previously and exploring the actions

that flow from that identity. To lay the groundwork, let's quickly revisit our core definitions.

And I've defined a disciple as fundamentally being one who has faith to intentionally place

believing trust and loyalty in Jesus Christ as the Messiah. But it doesn't stop there.

A disciple is also one who is taking intentional and focused daily action to

see the fruit of transformation to be more like Christ. And critically, a disciple is

one who is taking intentional and purposeful action to share the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Building on that, I've defined discipleship itself as being first, a disciple of Jesus Christ,

and second is seeking replication of disciples. This process of replication of making more

disciples is done through specific intentional actions such as building a relationship with

God through prayer and scripture study, engaging in community with other believers, sharing the

gospel, and pursuing transformation in Godly character.

Now, historically, making disciples has been a core command for the Church. As noted in an

article I read titled Making Disciples Obstacles and Opportunities in Urban Congregations,

read, Make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. However,

the understanding and practice of evangelism and discipleship haven't always been clear or

consistent. The article points out that congregations have sometimes been unsure of

what it truly entails to make disciples and haven't fully grasped that the ultimate purpose is

for the transformation of the world. Evangelism itself, in some contexts,

became compartmentalized, defined singularly as professions of faith and disconnected from

spiritual formation and mission. This highlights a challenge, moving from a theoretical understanding

of discipleship to practical daily living. Discipleship, however, is intended to be a

lifelong journey towards becoming more like Christ, involving regular practices and disciplines.

Jesus himself modeled a holistic approach, focusing on the whole person and meeting people

where they were, inviting them to a new way of living. The early church also prioritized

essential practices taught by the apostles. So what does this intentional, lifelong,

holistic following of Jesus look like in action? What do disciples do?

Drawing from our definitions and other sources, we can see that actions of a disciple fall into

several key areas. So let's expand on some of these practical actions.

First, disciples prioritize their relationship building with God. This is foundational.

One article I looked at emphasized that, quote, prayer is simply talking to God. While he knows

our thoughts, prayer is not for informing him, but for showing our dependence on him and expressing

our desire for him to act, end quote. It fosters our sense of dependence and security in God alone.

And in that sense, prayer is worship. Consistency in prayer is important.

Disciples are called to a daily prayer of relationship building and petition.

Alongside prayer is the deep study of scripture. This goes beyond just reading.

Learning the word of God is necessary for following Jesus. How else can we learn about

what to avoid and how to live a spirit-filled life? Regularly intaking God's word is essential

for our spiritual life. Another crucial action is confessing sin and accepting God's forgiveness.

The Bible is clear that followers of Jesus will still fail. The idea is to

keep short accounts with God, being quick to confess our failures, and grateful for

his forgiveness, remembering what our sin cost Jesus. Disciples also worship God, both personally

and when gathered with other believers. And they live by faith, looking to God as the

basis for their life and decisions. This includes learning to endure difficulties by fixing their

eyes on Jesus. A second key area is engaging in community. Disciples are meant to

live in relationship with other believers. Fellowship can be described as intentional

with the goal of becoming one mind around Jesus for discipleship. It involves caring for each other

and discerning and meeting needs within the community. Think about that. Fellowship isn't

just hanging out. It has a purposeful goal of helping each other become more like Christ.

Community also provides vital accountability, empathy, and encouragement. Small groups,

for instance, can offer a place for support and encouragement, especially when navigating the

struggles of living out one's faith. Authentic communities are crucial for people to find a

place and purpose. Underpinning this community is the command to love one another. Loving each other

is the central point of orientation for other things disciples do like prayer, fasting, giving,

and fellowship. These other actions are expressions of this fundamental command to love people.

Disciples also serve others, actively looking for opportunities to meet needs and show God's love

in practical ways. Third, disciples are called to share the gospel of Jesus Christ and participate

in God's mission. This connects back to our definition of discipleship, which involves

seeking the replication of disciples. Evangelism is described as initiating people into God's

kingdom, and it can take many forms. It's not limited to public preaching, but can include prayer,

inviting someone to a small group, participating in acts of justice, or simply sharing the good news.

Importantly, evangelism includes an invitation to a lifetime of discipleship, not just a one-time

conversion experience. Disciples are called to present the gospel effectively and to be ready

to share their testimony. 1 Peter 3.15 tells us to always be prepared to give an answer to everyone

who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. Sharing the gospel can be done in

a way that is inviting and conveys good news. Jesus called his followers to be fishers of men

and to actively seek lost people. Disciples understand that their purpose involves joining

God's mission for the transformation of the world and their local community.

So this involves impacting people in their sphere of influence at work, at play,

and where they live. Sharing the gospel through the witness of a friend who lives out the word

can often be heard and received better than from a stranger, even from a polished speaker.

Finally, disciples are committed to transformation and godly character.

Remember, our definition of a disciple includes taking intentional and focused daily action to

see the fruit of transformation to be more like Christ. This is a life-long journey towards

full Christ-likeness. This involves actively developing godly character, including living

by the Spirit, pursuing holiness, practicing godliness, imitating Christ's humility,

claiming Christ's supremacy, living with integrity, developing proper relationships,

residing in God's will, and controlling one's tongue. These are not automatic. They require

intentional effort and reliance on the Holy Spirit. Disciples are committed to growing in these basics

of the Christian life and applying them daily. So why does understanding these actions matter to you?

Because deep discipleship is the non-negotiable foundation for impactful leadership.

You simply cannot effectively lead others in their faith journey or lead with Christ-like

character and influence in your job, your family, and your community if you're not first committed

to being a disciple yourself. As leaders, whether in our homes, workplaces, or churches,

we are called to model these discipleship practices and equip others to do the same.

Our leadership is only as impactful as our commitment to being disciples ourselves.

The practices we've discussed—prayer, studying scripture, engaging in community, sharing the

gospel, and developing godly character—are not just practices for personal growth. They are

essential for being equipped, developed, and empowered to lead well. Discipleship training

is crucial for developing people, and indeed all believers, into mature disciples and leaders who

can make a tangible difference in their homes, communities, and churches. Leaders play a vital

role in providing direction and motivation. And if we go back to that mission statement

from the United Methodist Church and remember the ultimate purpose they pointed out,

making disciples is for the transformation of the world.

And this requires both individual transformation, becoming more like Christ,

and collective action, joining God's mission. This is the imperative for all

followers and leaders from Jesus. Now let's shift and make this practical.

What are some concrete steps you can take this week based on what we've discussed?

Well, the first for personal growth, commit to daily intentional time for prayer and scripture

study. Even if it's just 15 to 20 minutes, make a consistent habit. Consider setting a specific time

each day, perhaps using a devotional or Bible reading plan that guides you. Remember prayer

is about showing your dependence on God and communicating with him. Studying scripture is

necessary for learning how to follow Jesus. Evaluate your character based on the

biblical principles we mentioned, like humility, integrity, or love. Identify one area

you want to focus on this week and intentionally seek the Holy Spirit's help for transformation.

The second practical step is for community and relationships.

So engage in intentional fellowship. If you're not currently in a small group or

an accountability relationship, seek one out. If you are, commit to deeper engagement this week.

Maybe share a struggle you're facing or intentionally encourage someone else in the group.

Remember the goal of fellowship is discipleship. Also look for opportunities to serve others in

your community or within your church. Serving is an expression of God's love and a way to meet needs.

And the third practical step is about leadership and disciple making.

Practice sharing your testimony. Develop a simple three-part before, how, and after

story of how you met Christ and how he's changed you. And be ready to share the reason for your hope.

Begin cultivating relationships with non-believers in your sphere of influence at work,

in your neighborhood, or through hobbies. The goal is to sow seeds of God's word and be ready

to share the gospel when appropriate. Remember, living out Christ's word in your daily life

can often be heard and received better than just words alone.

So if you're in a leadership role, take a moment to consider how you can prioritize

equipping others in these fundamental areas of discipleship. Intentional training processes

are vital for reproducing disciples. To wrap up, being a disciple of Jesus Christ is more

than just a label. It's an identity that is lived out through intentional actions.

It's about placing your trust and loyalty in Christ, taking daily steps towards becoming

more like him, and purposefully sharing the gospel. Discipleship means actively living

out this identity and seeking to see it replicated in the lives of others.

The practices we've explored today, prayer, study, community, witness,

and character development are not optional extras. They are integral to following Jesus

and essential for being equipped for impactful leadership. I want to challenge you again to

reflect on your journey. Take a moment to think about which of these areas you feel strongest in

and which might need more attention in your life. Which of these areas is strongest in your life

right now? Which needs the most intentional focus this week? Perhaps there is one person

in your life you can intentionally invest in to help them grow as a disciple.

Choose one or two actionable steps we discussed and commit to them this week.

Maybe even write them down and reflect on your progress at the end of the week.

Remember, the power to live this life comes from Christ himself. The journey of

discipleship and disciple-making is a lifelong one, and we are equipped for this purpose.

Again, thank you for joining me and remember to keep leaning into Jesus and leading with purpose.

Social media and through my website and remember you are being equipped for a purpose. Go make an

impact.