THE IMPORTANCE OF DISCIPLESHIP Archbishop Geoffrey Smith
We are now well and truly into the wonderful season of Lent, that forty days of preparation helping us to be ready to celebrate the gift of our salvation through the death and resurrection of Jesus and recommit ourselves to following Jesus as his disciples. Like many other words ‘disciple’ or ‘discipleship’ can easily become just another piece of jargon brought out when convenient but otherwise ignored. The concept of ‘following Jesus’, which ‘discipleship’ describes, is central to being a Christian. Through our baptism, (whether it was called Christening or baptism, whether it happened in an Anglican or other church context and whether it involved loads of water or just a little) we are called to be disciples of Jesus. A disciple is not a super Christian more committed and enthusiastic than an ordinary Christian. To be a Christian, to have accepted Jesus as Lord and saviour, is to have heard and answered ‘yes’ to the call to be a disciple, to follow Jesus. In other words, a Christian is a disciple of Christ-the two cannot be separated.
a lecture and then get on with their normal life. The disciples learned by spending time with Jesus and each other.
A disciple is a learner, someone who learns from the teacher. A disciple of Jesus seeks to learn from Jesus, to become like Jesus, to continue and expand the ministry of Jesus and to make disciples of others. We can clearly see in the four gospel accounts (Matthew Mark Luke and John) Jesus interacting with the disciples to teach them and show them what it is to be a disciple. Their learning was not classroom based. They didn’t have
With Easter only a couple of weeks away, can I encourage us all to make use of the remaining time of Lent to prepare for that wonderful feast so that we are ready to recommit to following Jesus in the power of the Holy Spirit. That’s our calling, that’s our vocation and that is what will make a real difference to the community in which we live.
Discipleship is critical for Christians. Effective discipleship is also critical for us as we participate in the work of God in our community. God has a vision for the world called in the gospels the kingdom of heaven or the kingdom of God and God is bringing this vision into reality. As disciples of Jesus, we have a part to play in that process by pointing to God’s vision, helping others to get on board with what God is doing and ourselves acting in a way which makes the vision become a reality today. Jesus’ first disciples spent time with him literally and that’s how they learned. As disciples today, we spend time with him as we read and reflect on the gospels and the rest of the New Testament, as we spend time in prayer and as we spend time with other disciples. The whole point of that is to become more like Jesus and continue his work.
contents
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MISSION
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Music Ministry in Myanmar
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Helping To Change Young People’s Lives
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FAITH
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St Barnabas Celebrates Start of New Academic Year
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How Good to Meet Up With St Barnabas After All These Years
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FOCUS
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What Could Be Better Than Cricket
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Meet Our New Registrar & Secretary of Synod
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The 10th Anniversary Of The Apology To The Stolen Generations
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The Quickest Warmth
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A Reflection on Billy Graham
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COMMUNITY
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Church Responds to PNG Earthquake
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Centenary of the ABM Good Friday Gift
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St Saviour’s Do Battle For The Ashes
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New Exhibition Reconciles AnglicareSA’s Work With Christian Faith and Life
17 Nick Moves To Mobilise Young Graduates 17
City Bible Forum: Season 2018
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Film Review: Mary Magdalene
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