DISCIPLESHIP

 “Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” —Mt. 16:24

My wife recently shared a cute YouTube video of a puppy named Daisy at the top of the stairs afraid to go down (http://youtu.be/VTbbYLvhDSM).   Despite encouragement from people at the bottom of the stairs, Daisy could not figure out how to go down the stairs. Then an adult dog named Simon came up the stairs to help. Simon ran up and then back down, showing Daisy how easy it is. Daisy tries to take the first step down, but fear stops her. Simon demonstrates going down again and watches as Daisy attempts to go down.  But Daisy is still too scared to navigate the stairs. Once again Simon demonstrates how it is done.  Finally, Daisy dares to let her back legs follow her front ones. Simon stays beside her. She successfully makes it to the bottom and everyone cheers!

What a great picture of discipleship.  Discipleship is “followship”—Following someone else’s example.  Christ’s disciples were His followers.  He showed them how to walk, and they followed His example. Jesus told them, “I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done…” (John 13:15).

Likewise, we are to “disciple” new Christians by showing them how to live the Christian life by demonstrating it before them.  That is what Paul meant when he wrote, “Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, DO…” (Philippians 4:9).

Christian, someone needs you to show them how it is done!  Even a dog knows this. Let’s disciple someone to follow Christ!