Discipleship: Guiding the believer on how to become more like Christ
The word discipleship means to encourage others and lead them to the true path through encouragement, instruction, and teaching. The purpose of every believer in Christ is to adopt the same qualities and character as Jesus Christ. This is not just a spiritual purpose, but to demonstrate His likeness in our lives as followers of Christ, day by day, in every situation, and in every action.
The Bible says in 2 Timothy 2:2, “The things you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful servants who will be able to teach others also.” This scripture teaches us that we all have a responsibility to share the teachings of Christ with others. Jesus Christ taught us how to live in this world, and we need to be continually discipled to imitate Him and apply those teachings to our lives.
The Discipleship Process: Steps Towards Becoming Like Christ
1. Early education and beliefs
The first step in becoming like Christ is to deeply understand and believe His teachings. Jesus told us, “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). His words and teachings can transform our lives. Studying the life of Christ, His works, and His teachings helps us understand the true nature of Christ and His purpose. This inspires us to imitate His character and qualities.
2. Focus more on prayer and spiritual life
Another important step in becoming more like Christ is to focus on a constant life of prayer and devotion. Jesus Christ placed great importance on spending time in prayer (Mark 1:35). To become more like Jesus, we must progress in our spiritual life. Prayer connects our minds and hearts with God, and motivates us to be dependent on His will. This constant contact helps us to imitate Him.
3. Purity of body and soul
Another important aspect of becoming like Jesus Christ is physical and mental purity. The Bible says, “Preserve your bodies as holy and pure, as sacred service to God” (Romans 12:1). To live like Jesus, we need to keep both our bodies and our spirits pure. This not only brings purity to our personal lives, but also improves our relationships with others. We need to adopt the character of love and peace that Jesus had, which guides us to live pure and holy lives.
Guidance and Discipleship to Become Like Christ
Discipleship is not just a personal journey of one person but also a process of reaching others. 2 Timothy 2:2 tells us that it is our responsibility to share the teachings and guidance of Jesus with others in the world. This requires confidence and faith in God. We can follow these three key steps to spread these true teachings to others:
1. Education and training
The first step in discipleship is to share true teaching and guidance with others. As 2 Timothy 2:2 says, “The things you have heard from me, entrust to faithful servants who will be able to teach others also.” To become more like Christ, we need to share our experiences and skills with others. This helps build a solid foundation of faith, which encourages others to follow Jesus’ path.
2. Practicing dedication and love
Jesus Christ taught his followers to be loving and kind. He said, “Love others as I have loved you” (John 15:12). To be like Christ, we must treat everyone with love and kindness. Jesus had a deep love for all of humanity, especially the helpless and suffering. Another important step in becoming like Jesus is to practice love and tolerance in our lives.
3. Service and politeness
Jesus set a great example for us to live our lives through service and humility. He presented himself as the greatest servant (Matthew 20:28). To be like Christ, we must have an attitude of service to others. Service and humility are signs of our dedication to humanity and to God.
Conclusion: The Journey to Becoming Christlike
The journey to becoming like Christ is never-ending. It is an ongoing process that encourages us to deepen our relationship with God and spread His love to the world. According to the teachings of the Bible, we are to live a life of love, service, humility, and faith like Jesus. In this way, we can perfect our lives as followers of Christ and be able to share His message of salvation with others.
We also have a responsibility to disciple and guide on this journey. This not only helps us in self-improvement, but also inspires us to spread the love and teachings of Jesus to others. With God’s grace and the help of the Holy Spirit, we can complete this journey and ultimately become like Jesus Christ.