Rediscovering holistic discipleship
Getting back to the pattern of discipleship Jesus taught and modelled.
A Three-fold Approach
28-30 “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” - Matthew 11:28-30 (MSG)
Have you ever wondered what discipleship looked like in the days of Jesus and how different that is to the model we follow today? The concept of discipleship during Jesus' time is a fascinating one. The disciples were called to a life of learning and transformation that went far beyond mere religious practice. They had the extraordinary opportunity to witness Jesus' daily interactions, His teachings, and His miracles first hand. They heard what He taught about worry, for example, and then experienced how He slept in the boat in the middle of the storm. They learned about life on the go, as captured by the Bible Project, by watching Jesus live. This immersive experience must have profoundly shaped their understanding of what it meant to follow Him.
Today, discipleship still carries the essence of that transformative journey. One intriguing aspect, as seen in Isaiah 61, is the integration of spiritual development with therapeutic approaches. Indeed, many of the principles found in modern therapy, such as compassion, empathy, emotional regulation, cognitive restructuring and behavioural activation, have their roots in biblical teachings.
A holistic approach to discipleship that addresses the head, heart, and hands, can be incredibly powerful. Here's a brief overview of what that might look like:
Spiritual Growth and Development: Exploring ways to foster a deep, personal relationship with God through practices such as prayer, stillness, contemplation and study of Scripture.
Mental Health and Well-being: Incorporating techniques that promote a faith-based approach to emotional healing and mental well-being, enabling us to implement practical steps to be transformed by the renewing of the mind.
Ministry Discovery Tools: Helping individuals discover and utilise their gifts and talents in service to others, following the example set by Jesus.
By combining these elements, we can create a more comprehensive and impactful model of discipleship that reflects the holistic nature of Jesus' ministry. That is what Discipleship Foundation is all about - getting back to a holistic model of discipleship that ministers to the whole person.
Guiding heads
Discipleship, according to Jesus, begins with being with Him and learning His ways. Tim Keller refers to this as finding our new identity. It involves transforming not just our actions but our thoughts and perceptions. Jesus’ approach to life was filled with peace, calm, and compassion, in contrast to the disciples' fear and frustration. True discipleship means abiding in Jesus, allowing Him to change us deeply. Without this, we cannot genuinely share Him with others. The journey of discipleship must start with walking closely with Jesus before we can go and serve in His name.
Shaping hearts
Discipleship involves both the mind and heart. It means allowing God's burden to become ours, being moved to action as Jesus was. The disciples saw first hand how Jesus ministered to those in need, dealt with life's challenges, and responded with peace and compassion. They learned the mind of Christ and saw His heart in action. Scriptures like Isaiah 61, Psalm 23 , and Matthew 11:28-30 became their lived reality. Letting God shape our hearts to be more like His enables us to bring His reality to others.
Moving hands
Jesus taught His disciples to follow, learn from, and do as He did. Discipleship starts with being with Jesus, and then moves to action, similar to breathing in and out. As part of the discipleship pattern, we are are invited to discover how God shapes our spiritual gifts, natural abilities, core values, and life experiences, so that we can utilise our gifts and talents in service to God and others, fulfilling His call in everyday life. This also involves prayerfully developing a plan to grow in ministry and purpose.
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Our new course has launched!
We are really excited to let you know about our Ministry Discovery Online Workshop which has now launched!
Coming Soon!
Our new workshop releases on 28 April 2025!
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