The Cost of Discipleship

How To Win The World

Throughout Scripture we see that God has always had a heart for the nations. His covenant with Abraham was to bless all peoples on earth (Genesis 12:3). Isaiah declared that nations would come to God's light (Isaiah 60:3), Joel prophesied that God would pour out His Spirit on all people (Joel 2:28), and Jesus taught that all nations will one day stand before Him in judgement (Matthew 25:32). At the centre of God's mission is His love for every person. [John 3:16, Matthew 28:18-20] 1. Mobilise all Christians to spread the good news of Jesus to all nations Jesus' command is clear: Go. Christianity was never intended to be a spectator faith where only a few are involved in reaching people. Every believer is called to take responsibility for sharing the gospel wherever God has placed them. [Luke 14:21, Mark 16:15, Acts 1:8]   Jesus specifically spoke about reaching all nations, referring to every ethnic group and people group. While thousands of people groups have already been reached, billions of people still have little or no access to the gospel. We must intentionally cross cultural barriers and accept responsibility for reaching both our local communities and the nations of the world. 2. Make true disciples of Jesus in all nations The world will not be transformed by people who simply attend church, but by genuine disciples whose lives reflect the character and teachings of Jesus. Jesus invested deeply in twelve ordinary people, intentionally training them to become faithful followers who would reproduce His life in others. Disciple-making is a lifelong process of introducing people to Christ, helping them mature spiritually, and equipping them to make disciples themselves. Jesus highlighted two essential aspects of discipleship: • Disciples must be baptised "... baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." Baptism is a public declaration that we have died to our old way of life and now belong completely to Christ. It identifies us with Jesus, welcomes us into His Church, and demonstrates our commitment to follow Him as Lord. Around the world, many believers still face persecution because of this public step of obedience. • Disciples must be taught to obey Christ "...teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you." Jesus didn't simply teach His followers information; He taught them obedience. He showed them how to love God, love people, forgive, serve, give, and live according to God's Word. The goal of discipleship is not merely knowing God's truth but putting it into practice. As leaders, we are called to raise disciples who are teachable, obedient, and committed to living out the commands of Christ. 3. Move forward in partnership with the presence of Jesus Jesus never asked His Church to fulfil the Great Commission alone. Matthew 28:18, Matthew 28:20 Because Jesus has all authority, we can move forward with confidence. Through the Holy Spirit, His presence and power are with us wherever we go. As we faithfully make disciples, we can expect Him to work through us, transforming lives and extending His Kingdom among every people and nation. Application: God's heart has always been for the nations, and He invites every believer to participate in His mission. We are called to go beyond simply believing in Christ and become disciple-makers who reach others with the gospel, help them grow in obedience, and trust the presence and authority of Jesus every step of the way. As we faithfully obey the Great Commission, we partner with God's eternal purpose of seeing people from every nation come to know and follow Jesus.

How You Can Develop A Life Of Prayer

When the disciples asked, "Lord, teach us to pray" (Luke 11:1), Jesus gave them more than a prayer to recite. The Lord's Prayer is a model that teaches us how to structure our daily conversations with God. Each section reveals an important aspect of prayer and helps us develop a deeper relationship with our Heavenly Father. Key Scriptures: Luke 11:1; Matthew 6:9–13 1. "Our Father in Heaven" Prayer begins by recognising who God is. Through Jesus Christ we have been adopted into God's family and can approach Him confidently as our loving Heavenly Father. No matter what our earthly experience of fatherhood has been, God is a perfect Father. He is loving, righteous, compassionate and generous. Before bringing our requests to Him, we should spend time welcoming His presence, worshipping Him, and thanking Him for adopting us as His children. Key Scripture: Romans 8:14–15 2. "Hallowed Be Your Name" We honour God by recognising His holy character and declaring who He is.  The many names of God reveal His nature: - Jehovah Jireh – The Lord our Provider - Jehovah Rapha – The Lord our Healer - Jehovah Shalom – The Lord our Peace - Jehovah Raah – The Lord our Shepherd - Jehovah Nissi – The Lord our Banner - Jehovah Tsidkenu – The Lord our Righteousness - Jehovah Mekaddesh – The Lord Who Sanctifies - Jehovah Shammah – The Lord Is There As we pray, we remind ourselves of these truths and trust God to be everything He has promised to be in every area of our lives. 3. "Your Kingdom Come, Your Will Be Done" Prayer lifts our focus beyond ourselves to God's Kingdom. We live in a spiritual battle between God's Kingdom and the kingdom of darkness. As disciples we pray for God's rule and authority to be established in every area of life. We should regularly pray for: - Government and those in authority - Media - Education - Arts and entertainment - Business - Our families, churches and communities Praying this way gives us God's perspective and enlarges our vision for what He wants to accomplish in the world. 4. "Give Us Today Our Daily Bread" God cares about every area of our daily lives. Bread represents our daily needs—physical, emotional and spiritual. Jesus teaches us to bring these needs confidently before our Heavenly Father rather than living in worry and anxiety. God already knows what we need and promises to provide as we trust Him. Key Scriptures: Philippians 4:19; Matthew 6:34 5. "Forgive Us Our Debts, As We Also Have Forgiven Our Debtors" Prayer includes keeping our relationship with God and with others healthy. We should regularly ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any sin that needs repentance, receiving God's forgiveness through Christ. At the same time, we must choose to forgive those who have hurt us. Just as God has shown us mercy, we are called to extend mercy to others. Unforgiveness hinders our relationship with God and prevents us from walking in His love. Key Scriptures: John 13:34; Matthew 18 6. "Lead Us Not Into Temptation" Temptation is part of living in a fallen world, but God gives us strength to overcome it. Prayer prepares us before temptation comes. As we stay close to Jesus and depend on the Holy Spirit, we receive strength to resist the desires of the flesh and the lies of the enemy. Jesus overcame temptation through His relationship with the Father, and He enables us to do the same. Key Scriptures: 1 John 2:16; John 16:33 7. "Deliver Us From the Evil One" Our final prayer is for God's protection and deliverance. The enemy seeks to destroy, but Jesus has already defeated Satan through His death and resurrection. We can pray confidently for freedom from fear, addiction, depression, sickness, unforgiveness and every form of spiritual oppression. God's Kingdom, power and glory are greater than every work of darkness. As we pray, we stand in Christ's victory and trust Him to continue delivering us. Key Scripture: 1 Peter 5:8 The Lord's Prayer is much more than a prayer to repeat—it is a pattern that teaches us how to build a rich and effective prayer life. By following this model, we begin with worship, align ourselves with God's Kingdom, bring our daily needs before Him, walk in forgiveness, seek His strength against temptation, and trust Him for protection and deliverance. As we learn to pray in this way, our relationship with God deepens, our faith grows stronger, and we become confident that His Kingdom will continue to advance through our lives.

Wake Up and Pray

As we continue our series on The Journey of a Disciple, we see another essential characteristic of every true disciple: a life of prayer. Prayer is one of the greatest ways believers exercise God's authority on earth. Through prayer, God changes lives, families, churches and even nations. James 5:16 reminds us that "The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective." Jesus not only commanded His disciples to pray, but He also taught them how to pray. 1. You must pray with a humble and open heart To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else,Jesus told this parable: Luke 18:9–14 Jesus contrasted the Pharisee and the tax collector to show that God looks at the attitude of the heart. The Pharisee was full of pride, focusing on his own goodness and religious achievements. The tax collector came with humility, recognising his need for God's mercy. Jesus declared that it was the humble man who went home justified. Prayer begins with humility. We cannot rely on our own righteousness but must come before God with honest, repentant hearts. Jesus Himself modelled complete dependence on His Father through prayer. 2. You must pray with faith Mark 11:22-24, Matthew 21:22 Hebrews 11:1  Jesus taught His disciples to pray believing that God hears and answers. Faith is confidence in God's promises, even before we see the answer. Throughout Scripture, men and women experienced God's miracles because they trusted Him. Without faith, it is impossible to please God. As we pray, we must believe that He is faithful and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him. 3. You must pray with persistence Luke 18:1–8, Luke 11:9–10 Jesus taught that His disciples should always pray and never give up. The parable of the persistent widow reminds us to continue seeking God until the answer comes. We are encouraged to ask, seek and knock, trusting God's timing and faithfulness. Persistent prayer demonstrates confidence that God hears us and is working, even when we cannot yet see the answer. 4. You must pray watchfully Mark 14:37–38 In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus found His disciples sleeping when they should have been praying. Jesus warned them to "watch and pray" so they would not fall into temptation. The same challenge applies today. Distractions, comfort and busyness can easily replace our time with God. Our families, church, community and nation all need people who are spiritually awake and willing to stand in prayer. We should continually ask the Holy Spirit to awaken our hearts and help us develop a consistent prayer life. 5. You should pray for everything that will glorify the name of Jesus John 14:13-14 Praying in Jesus' name is more than ending a prayer with certain words. It means praying according to His character, His authority and His will. Our prayers should not be centred on our own desires but on bringing glory to Jesus. Even when God's answer differs from our expectations, we follow Christ's example in Gethsemane: "Not my will, but Yours be done." Prayer becomes powerful when Jesus remains at the centre of everything we ask. Application A true disciple develops a daily life of prayer.  As we pray with humility, faith, persistence, spiritual alertness and a desire to glorify Jesus, God transforms our lives and works powerfully through us. Today is a new opportunity to deepen our relationship with God through prayer and to become the kind of disciples Jesus calls us to be.

Why Christians Must Love One Another

Jesus said in John 13:34-35, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another... By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” One of the clearest signs of true discipleship is love for fellow believers. Jesus used the Greek word agape, describing a self-sacrificial, unconditional love that seeks the good of others regardless of personal cost. This kind of love is demonstrated through actions, not merely words. Sadly, a lack of love has often damaged the witness of the Church. The world notices not only what Christians believe but how they treat one another. Therefore, loving one another is not optional—it is a command from Jesus and a defining mark of genuine discipleship. 1. Loving One Another Means Obeying the Command of Jesus Jesus repeatedly commanded His followers to love one another (John 13:34; John 15:12,17). As Christians, we are under Christ's authority and called to live according to His will. A true disciple cannot live with bitterness, unforgiveness, criticism, or hatred toward fellow believers. Regardless of age, background, culture, or status, we are called to love one another as members of God's family. 2. Loving One Another Means Following the Example of Jesus Jesus is our model of love. The disciples experienced His patience, correction, forgiveness, encouragement, and unwavering commitment. Because they experienced Christ's love, they learned how to love others. He transformed them from a group of self-focused individuals into a united team that would change the world. Healed people heal people. We can only truly love others when we first receive and understand the love of Jesus ourselves. Becoming Friends Jesus said in John 15:15, “I have called you friends.” Christianity was never meant to be lived in isolation. Healthy churches are communities where believers support, encourage, laugh, pray, and walk through life together. Being Open and Transparent Authentic relationships require honesty and openness. Hidden sin, resentment, jealousy, and judgment hinder fellowship. As 1 John 1:7 teaches, when we walk in the light, we experience true fellowship with one another. Humbly Serving One Another Jesus demonstrated humility by washing His disciples' feet. Pride creates division, while humility builds unity. Ephesians 4:2-3 encourages believers to be humble, gentle, patient, and committed to maintaining peace. Biblical love always involves sacrifice. It may cost us financially as we help those in need (Acts 4:32; 1 John 3:17-18). It may cost us time as we invest in relationships and fellowship (Acts 2:46-47). Ultimately, Jesus showed the highest form of love by laying down His life for His friends (John 15:13), and we are called to follow His example. 3. Loving One Another Means Showing the Love of Jesus to the World Jesus said, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples.” The world is watching to see whether our lives match our message. The most powerful witness of the Church is not simply our preaching, but the love we demonstrate toward one another. When believers walk in forgiveness, humility, unity, and sacrificial love, the world sees Christ. Application Receive the love of Jesus afresh. Allow Him to soften hard hearts, heal old wounds, and remove bitterness and resentment. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any relationship that needs healing. Be willing to forgive, seek forgiveness, humble yourself, and pursue reconciliation. Love means letting go of grudges, believing the best about others, serving one another, and growing closer together as the family of God. As we love one another, we become a living testimony of Jesus to the world.

The Journey of Discipleship

Continuing our series The Journey of a Disciple, we looked at how disciples are formed. Jesus said in Matthew 4:19, “Come, follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Following Jesus is not simply a decision; it is a lifelong process of being shaped into His likeness. Christians are born again, but disciples are made.  Just as a child needs guidance, care, and training to grow, believers need discipleship relationships to mature spiritually. Growth does not happen in isolation. Throughout life, whether in business, sport, or ministry, people reach their potential because someone invests in them. The same is true spiritually.  1. The Process of Discipleship  A.B. Bruce described three calls of Christ in the discipleship journey:  Come and See: Jesus first invited His disciples to come and see (John 1:39). Before asking for commitment, He showed them His vision and what God could do through their lives.  Come and Follow: Jesus then called them to leave their old lives behind and follow Him (Matthew 4:19).  Discipleship requires commitment, surrender, and a willingness to adopt God's priorities over our own.  Come and Be With Me: Jesus spent time forming His disciples through teaching, correction, encouragement, and example. He prepared them for future ministry. Peter, for example, received much correction because God had a significant calling on his life.  Paul's Example with Timothy: Paul followed the same model with Timothy, encouraging and strengthening him to fulfil his calling. In 2 Timothy 1:6, Paul writes: “Fan into flame the gift of God.”  Today, discipleship remains central to the church's mission. Through Life Groups, training programmes, mentoring relationships, and spiritual leadership, believers are equipped to grow and mature in Christ.  2. The Areas of Discipleship  Discipleship touches every area of life.  Daily Devotional Life: A disciple learns to pray, study God's Word, and develop a consistent relationship with God. Spiritual growth requires discipline and a hunger for God's presence.  Family Life: Believers must learn how to build healthy, godly families, honour relationships, and create a spiritual atmosphere in their homes.  Finances: Jesus taught that we cannot serve both God and money (Matthew 6:24). Disciples learn biblical stewardship, generosity, saving, and investing while keeping God first.  Attitude and Character: Paul instructed Timothy to be an example in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity (1 Timothy 4:12). Disciples are called to develop Christlike character, live by faith, love people well, and represent Jesus faithfully.  3. The Results of Discipleship  The goal of discipleship is not simply personal growth but multiplication.  Jesus commanded His followers in Matthew 28:19: “Go and make disciples of all nations.” What Jesus did in His disciples, they were to reproduce in others. Paul echoed this in 2 Timothy 2:2: “Entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.”  Healthy disciples become disciple-makers. Spiritual maturity enables believers to help others grow, just as they have been helped. The disciple eventually becomes someone worth following because they are faithfully following Christ. As Paul said in 1 Corinthians 11:1: “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.”  Application  Make yourself available for the journey of discipleship. Connect with spiritual leaders and  relationships that will help you grow. God is looking for labourers who will not only follow  Christ but also raise up others to do the same.  The journey of discipleship is complete when disciples become disciple-makers, helping  transform families, communities, and future generations through the Gospel.