What is a disciple? A disciple is a student who follows the teachings and practices of a teacher. Consequently, we can say that Christian discipleship is a lifelong journey of living out and spreading the good news of Jesus Christ so that others may believe. Jesus invited the disciples, and many others along the way, to embark on a faith journey as they learned about his ministry. Each disciple responded with a resounding “Yes!”
There are no physical marks that identify a disciple, only practices that disciples engage in as they follow Jesus. Jesus the teacher invited the disciples to join him for the journey, and then he modeled for them seven practices that we can call the seven marks of discipleship: praying, studying, worshiping, inviting, encouraging, serving and giving.
We are invited to embark on this faith journey. It is an intentional act to claim the life of a disciple and the seven marks of discipleship. And it is a life-long commitment, not a temporary assignment. Nor can it be accomplished alone: Jesus invited the disciples to be part of his mission and ministry in community.
This message is excerpted from “Lessons for today’s disciples” by Valora K. Starr, a 2009 resource of the Women of the ELCA. Today is the 13th Sunday after Pentecost. Today is Grandparents’ Day.
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