Why Embrace Discipleship?

By Tony Allen, Director of Faith Formation and Evangelization

For whom do you seek?

Many people first find Christ because they seek something from him—hope, salvation, healing, comfort, or self-worth. All these are freely given in a relationship with Christ, but He calls us to so much more. He desires for us to become disciples. Disciples are those who can recognize in these gifts Christ gives us a call to become like the one who granted them. Those with the humility and heart to serve the least will be the ones in whom the Father will find a perfect reflection of the Son.

An important early example of making disciples is found in the summary of the early church in Acts 2:42-47. Rather than a solely academic process, discipleship involved a holistic approach that included relationship building, financial giving, prayer, learning, worship, and every area of life. We read:

⁴² They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. ⁴³ Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. ⁴⁴ All who believed were together and had all things in common; ⁴⁵ they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceedsto all, as any had need. ⁴⁶ Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at homeand ate their food with glad and generous hearts, ⁴⁷ praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.

So, what are you willing to do to attest to your faith in Christ? For who do you love? Where does your treasure lie? Let us as believers in Christ Jesus resolve to dedicate ourselves to sharing the Gospel and to living in peace, charity and community. May our faith inspire awe in all we encounter.