A Discipleship Relationship

A discipleship relationship can be be broken down into 2 components: Discipler and Disciplee. In a discipleship relationship there must be one discipling and others being discipled. Jesus Christ and his Disciples are the examples that must be looked at on how to emulate and imitate to our best ability and gifting. There is only one Jesus Christ and the Disciples were one and only also. Our discipleship relationships will not be like these exactly but rather humble representation that will miss the mark many of times. Though we are as disciplers are not Jesus and we that are being discipled are the Disciples that does not mean that we do not engage in these relationships. We are called by the Word of God to enter into these relationships this was the means that Jesus proclaimed to use in building His Church. His Church is built on Himself , the Rock, and the means that he uses to build it is humble men and women proclaiming the Gospel and entering into discipleship relationships.

There is no formula on how to do discipleship but rather the Word guides us in how to walk out this relationship. Discipleship does not always have to be one on one at the local Starbucks, but it can be. Discipleship does not always have to be done in a large group setting by one faithfully preaching the Word and many responding to the Word daily in their own lives, but it can be. Discipleship does not have to be done in a small group setting in the basement of a church building, but it can be. Discipleship can be many different methods, but there are some core truths that cannot not be abandon. There are certain intrinsic characteristics that the Word of God describes and prescribes what a discipleship relationship ought to be.

A discipleship relationship must be solely and fully devoted to glorifying Jesus Christ; must be devoted to magnifying Jesus Christ; must be devoted to treasuring Jesus Christ; must be devoted exalting Jesus Christ; must be devoted to valuing Jesus Christ most; must be devoted to enjoying Jesus Christ most; must be devoted to being satisfied in Jesus Christ most. A discipleship relationship is all about Jesus Christ and anything that takes away from that is falling oh so ever short of the purpose of the relationship. I am now going to breakdown the 2 components of a discipleship relationship and go through the characteristics of what should be taking place. There must be a discipler and a disciplee with both having the motivation of looking to Jesus Christ as the example. Jesus Christ and His Word is the highest authority:

Discipler Disciplee

Belongs to Jesus Christ Belongs to Jesus Christ

Obeys the Bible Obeys the Bible

apart of the Church apart of the Church

is a Leader is a Follower

is an Example is an Imitator

Teaches Learns

Serves Serves

Reads the Bible Reads the Bible

Prays Prays

Evangelizes Evangelizes

Gives Gives

Encourages Encourages

Faithful Faithful

Sacrifices Sacrifices

All of these characteristics must be done by both in a genuine, authentic, and honest way. See how there many that are the same and some that are different. The discipler and the disciplee each have their role to play, but in the end both are walking in a manner worthy of the calling, pleasing to God.