Here at Valley Fellowship, we use a threefold pathway to describe the life of discipleship.
Discipleship is simply following Jesus and learning to do what He did and live the way He lived (to be with Him, learning to be like Him). Each of the three parts of the discipleship pathway are modeled on Jesus’ life and are a way of summarizing how He lived and what He lived for.
Grow Deep
Jesus lived a life of depth. It was his deep abiding relationship with His Heavenly Father that was the source of His life and ministry. We too are invited to abide and grow deep in our connection with God. In fact the first invitation of discipleship is to “be with him”. As we are with Him, we will grow to be like Him. But in our age of superficiality, a deep connection with God doesn’t just happen all by itself. If you would like to learn more about how to grow deep, check out our free Bible studies on the Spiritual Disciplines or learn how you can connect with a small group of people who are also seeking to grow deeper.
Go Out
Jesus not only lived a life connected to God but He also intentionally connected with people. He left heaven to live among us, attending weddings, eating at feasts, and touching lepers. His mission was to seek and save the lost, and His mission is our mission. In John 20:21 Jesus said to His disciples “As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” A life of discipleship doesn’t mean living cloistered away among the saints but befriending and serving those who need Jesus the most. One of the most powerful ways that Jesus connected with others was in the context of a small group. Click here to find out more about small groups and service opportunities.
Make Disciples
Jesus the savior of the world, chose to deeply invest himself in only a handful of disciples. He lived life with them demonstrating what it means to love God and love others. He patiently taught them truth. It was through them that He planned to change the world. They were His plan, disciples who would make disciples who would make disciples. (See. Mt. 28:18-20 and 2 Tim. 2:2). If we truly follow Jesus, then we will not only be disciples, but we will help others to be disciples as well. The student who is mature becomes a teacher (Lk. 6:40). Each of us in our own way, using our own unique gifts, are called by Jesus to help others become His disciples. To learn more check out our free discipleship bible studies.