September 2025 | Discipleship

(Jesus said) “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing… This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing your selves to be my disciples.” - John 15:5, 8
 
Years ago, I was talking with someone who had been in church for many years. She was active in a couple of ministries, attended worship weekly if at all possible, and yet our conversation startled me. I had mentioned discipleship, and was talking about how believers are called to be disciples, and she said that she didn’t believe she was a disciple. Somehow, she had come to think that disciples were “too holy” to include her. But really, a disciple is simply someone who follows Jesus, and that opportunity is open to everyone! 

Once we receive justifying grace, salvation through Jesus Christ, we are all called to be disciples through a community of believers, the church. The point, however, is to stay on the journey of sanctification, becoming transformed into Christ’s likeness throughout our lives, not just be busy with church stuff. That differentiation is often determined by our attitude, our heart posture. While one person may participate in church  programs or activities and experience it as busyness, or even a hardship, or a burden, someone else may do the same thing and feel inspired, closer to God, and others. For instance, at one of my former churches, they could not afford to pay someone to clean the church building—and it was huge! A small group of  people came together excitedly and decided to create a Cleaning Team. They would come early in the mornings and clean, making the church spic ‘n span. Most wouldn’t find this   satisfying,  or believe they were following Jesus and experiencing God’s transforming sanctifying grace in the process. But this team did! They enjoyed it! They would play Christian praise music as they cleaned together. They got to know one another better, developing strong, caring relationships. They laughed and cried together, and they prayed for and with one another. They looked forward to seeing one another every week in worship. All because of cleaning! They were sold out on their mission from God to make the church a beautiful place,   honoring the gift of the building that God had given. That’s how God had called them to serve. Part of discipleship is    serving—where is God calling you to serve?

Another part of discipleship is how we “become.” Some of that may occur as we serve, but all the way through Scripture it is encouraged that believers read and know the Word of God, pray, worship, and give. Some of this we can do privately, but greater and stronger spiritual growth  occurs when we also do it together, experiencing authentic Christian community. All of this is part of that verse in John 15 when Jesus described how he is the vine, we are the branches, and we are to remain in him. We are to stay close to God, connected and growing always. In what way is God calling you to grow in this area? Ask God about it! 

And, as we look ahead, we remember that another part of discipleship is to be a witness- to share our faith! We are, hopefully, doing this by living grace-filled, God-honoring lives, but we also want to invite others to join us! Join us for worship, join us to serve together, join us for fellowship, join us and be part of something bigger than ourselves- God’s kingdom mission, on earth as it is in heaven! I want to encourage you to watch for who God brings before you, giving the opportunity to extend an  invitation to join us, and then boldly and courageously just do it! I look forward to seeing how many new faces we will see because our church is actively inviting others to join us! Make sure to introduce me to them! 

Serving, Growing, Sharing- it all points to the other part in John 15 when Jesus said that we would bear much fruit, showing ourselves to be Jesus’ disciples. Take a moment, reflect and ask God, where is there fruit in who I am becoming through Christ, and what is the fruit through   serving and sharing? How is God being glorified through you?

That person I shared about at the beginning—she went from being busy to being devoted, from doing tasks to serving with joy. She once thought discipleship was beyond her, but God transformed her! She began a journey of spiritual growth by attending Bible study, Prayer Team, and more. Soon after, she was led by the Spirit to start leading ministries—she jumped in with two feet into discipleship, never looking back! After just a few years, she is now prayerfully considering  becoming a pastor!! 

Her story reminds us that discipleship is not just for the ‘holy few’ — it’s for each of us. That same transforming grace is available to ALL of us! Imagine what God will do in our church as we all lean into the fullness of being a disciple! Where is God calling you to serve, to grow, and to  invite? Imagine how our church will be transformed as we all step more deeply into following Jesus together! God is SO good!
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In Christ’s Service
Pastor Sherry