Becoming a Community of Disciples

by Laura Springer, Th.M., Ph.D.

Life on the ground is messy.

God is good.

Both statements are true, though sometimes the messiness feels more true than God's goodness. Because of this, we need reminders.

God is safe. We need to remind ourselves that God’s grace and mercy are always a safe refuge for his people. Our present, future, and end are secure in him. His Word tells us so (John 10:28). As we work together to understand the Bible, putting God's truth into practice in the messy dailies, we grow together as persons-in-community-in-Christ.

Discipleship is a lifelong process. Working and growing together is a lifelong process, not a point in time or class we take. Understanding the Bible shapes us for the sometimes bumpy journey of discipleship. Thinking, valuing, and doing, alongside our brothers and sisters, informed by Scripture, and aimed toward Christ, are the means of growth. The point of our thinking, feeling, and doing is to be conformed to the image of Christ, as we train in righteousness (1 Timothy 3:16) and develop our knowledge of God's story, our skill at being his people, and our commitment to expanding his kingdom.

We are together in the dailies. Working together to live in more like Jesus in the messy dailies we look to Jesus, the author and finisher of the faith, journeying in the company of our sisters and brothers and searching the Scripture so we might know who Jesus is and what it means to follow. The whole of Scripture speaks of Christ (John 5:39): his story, his people, and his kingdom. As we learn and live Scripture, both as individuals and as a community, we become more like Christ, more like who we are. We are one body and many members. We bring our individual passions and preferences and together direct them toward Christ and for his glory.

We have a sure identity. We have a sure identity in Christ. The Bible shows us what that identity looks like and helps us work out that identity in our context. We are those who live the story. We are God’s people, and we are the subjects of the King. We are the church when gathered, and we are the church when dispersed. The connection we make between what God says in Scripture and who we are as persons-in-community-in-Christ will shape who we are being and becoming as a church.