In 2008 I was working at a nonprofit doing fundraising. My boss’s name was Steve and he worked in an office adjacent to my cubicle. This was convenient as I could walk about fifteen feet from my desk into his office when I had accumulated a list of questions for him. I had only been working in this new position for a few weeks so I was still learning what my job was and how to do that job.
One day I walked into his office with a few questions I had compiled to ask him. “Do you have a few minutes to talk about some questions I have, Steve?” He said, “Sure go ahead.” As I began to ask him questions I noticed he was packing items from his desk into boxes.
My questions transitioned from my work to, “What are you doing, Steve?” He replied, “I’ve been let go. It’s not being handled well so I’m packing up and leaving.” He then admitted, “Hattie is going to be your new boss. Maybe you should ask her your questions. I’m glad to answer your questions and try to be helpful, but I think it would be best if you begin talking to her about these things since she will be your new boss.”
I went to Hattie’s office and told her I heard she would be my new boss. She bluntly told me, “I don’t want to be your boss, I don’t want to do performance evaluations, and I don’t want to manage anyone. So, let me tell you the basics of your job.” She then laid out the basic things she wanted me to do, and told me about things I could do that she didn’t want me to waste my time on. For the next five years I worked for Hattie always “sticking to the list” of things she told me she wanted me to do while ignoring all the other things that I “could do” but was told “not to do.”
I want this series of articles on discipleship to be like that direction that Hattie gave to me. Whether you have just become a Christian or have been a Christian for sixty years, I want us to explore what the New Testament says we should be doing as Christians. This will then lead us to logical conclusions about what we should not be doing as Christians.
Every Christian and every local church wonders about what things they should stay focused on as disciples of Jesus Christ. Sometimes we are overwhelmed as Christians. Do we sell all our things and give everything to the church like the believers did in the book of Acts? Do we go to Africa as missionaries or stay here and evangelize our families and friends? Do we still go and enjoy the same activities or watch the same movies we used to watch before we were Christians? As a local church, what is our purpose and what things do we do and not do?
In our articles in the coming weeks we’ll look at four passages of Scripture from three different writers. Here’s a basic summary of what we’ll examine together.
Paul teaches us that as disciples of Jesus Christ we embrace God’s Word: “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work” (2 Tim 3:16–17, NASB).[1]
Paul also teaches us that as disciples of Jesus Christ we embody God’s kingdom: “Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us. For many walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ, whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their minds on earthly things. For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself” (Phil 3:17–21).
The author of Hebrews teaches us that as disciples of Jesus Christ we encourage one another: “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near” (Heb 10:23–25).
The apostle Peter teaches us that as disciples of Jesus Christ we evangelize others: “but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence; and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame” (1 Pet 3:15-16).
While this is one of many ways that we could define discipleship, I pray it is helpful for us to orient us to what we should and should not be doing as Christians. In the coming weeks we’ll explore each of these passages in detail. I look forward to the journey with you!
[1] Scripture taken from the New American Standard Bible, Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995. Used by permission.