Written byKat Bittner,Iron Rose Sister Ministries Board Member in Colorado

Discipleship is the process of learning from and following a master or teacher. In the Christian context, it specifically refers to the lifelong commitment to follow Jesus Christ, learn from His teachings, and strive to live according to His example. This includes actively applying our faith in daily life and helping others to do the same.  

For many believers, however, the word “discipleship” is unnerving. The mere thought of teaching others about Jesus and how to live a faithful life can be intimidating. Perhaps the thing most frightful for Christians is not the act of discipleship but knowing how to live out discipleship. Many of my generation, raised in the church, became accustomed to door-knocking or sharing a filmstrip series about disciples. Gospel meetings and church revivals were popular for reaching a large number of people in a short amount of time. While those means of sharing the Word of God with others were popular and could be fruitful, they were uncomfortable and ineffective ways for many Christians to make disciples. 

Yet discipleship isn’t just one thing we should do as Christians; it is the very thing we should do.If we are truly living as followers of Christ, we must share Him with others. Jesus compels us to do that very one thing!

Go and make followers of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. (Mt 28:19 NLT)

Paul tells Timothy in 2 Timothy 3:16-17 that all scripture is useful for training us to do what is right (among other things) and to equip us to do good works. Scripture also repeatedly tells us that we have been given varied and unique talents which can be used to serve others, to make disciples, and to glorify God (1Pe 4:10-11; Ex 35:10; Eph 2:10; Ro 12:4-8; 1Co 12:4-11). 

It is with these gifts – or rather, these tools – that God has given to each of us that we should use to "disciple": to make disciples, modeling and teaching what it means to be faithful followers (Mt 28:20). I use my unique talents to share Jesus in a way that is comfortable for me yet fulfills my faithfulness in making disciples. 

For example, I love Jesus, and I love food! And I believe God has given me a love of food, the gift of gab, and the skills to cook well so that I can share common ground with others where we might not have Jesus in common. Chef James Beard said that “food is our common ground, a universal experience.” When I provide a meal for a nonbeliever, serve food at a community kitchen for the homeless, or organize a meal for a community outreach or missions event, I can use food as common ground with those who might not otherwise share Jesus in common with me. 

I meet people in their place of need and then communicate that Jesus is the reason why their need is being met. That communication might simply be saying “Jesus loves you” or “to God be the glory,” which sometimes sparks greater conversation. In this way, I am being a disciple and inviting others to be disciples through the talents God has gifted me with to do good things. The same can be said of Christians who serve on medical missions, those who minister to the sick or shut-in, or those who provide counsel and assistance to people in crisis. Christians actively doing good for others in ways they are uniquely gifted and in doing those good deeds share Jesus and their own testimony of faith are proactively seeking opportunities to be and make disciples. 

My dear sisters, a Christian disciple is one who is changed by Jesus to follow and learn from Him daily. It is one who assists in the spreading of the Good News and is committed to the mission of Jesus (1Jn 2:6; Mk 1:17; Jn 13:35; Ac 1:8). Using our unique talents – those training tools – to share Jesus could look very different for everyone. God may have gifted you a sweet voice for singing Christmas carols in your neighborhood. God may have gifted you with the skills to paint an image of what Heaven might be like. Maybe you have been gifted with patience to visit the elderly or babysit a neighbor’s child when they suddenly get called to work.

German pastor and theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer once remarked, “Christianity without discipleship is always Christianity without Christ.” Every Christian, young or old, newly baptized or tenured in faith, must be committed to discipleship. Jesus’ command to make disciples is fulfilled each time we acknowledge Him in our good works.And we can make disciples in ways that use our tools, those God-given gifts, to share Jesus without hesitation. 

How will you be and make disciples using your uniquely gifted tools?

Written byKarol Diogo, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil 

Caring for people is one of the main examples Jesus left us as a way to continue His work, if not the main one: raising up men and women according to His biblical principles.

Paul mentored many people, but it was with Timothy that this work stood out most clearly. The image of a mentor shines through in 1 and 2 Timothy, especially at the beginning of 2 Timothy. There is great richness in mentoring.

I've been mentored by a sister in the Church of Christ for four years. Allowing myself to be mentored by her has been an incredible turning point in my life and my spiritual life. I believe we should all go through this experience. I see this all throughout the Bible. Jesus did this with the apostles for three years, teaching them both theory and practice, just as the apostle Paul did with Timothy, and it produced great results.

We can see these examples in 2 Timothy 2:1-2 and 2 Timothy 3:10-17. If we follow these examples that Paul left us, we will be following Christ's examples for our Christian life.

May we be GIVERS in our Christian walk (people who help others altruistically, prioritizing the well-being of others, even if it means personal cost). May we interact with each other based on the teachings of God's Word in our interpersonal relationships. In Ephesians 4:12-16, Paul speaks of the purpose of the church being built up is that all may attain unity in the faith and the knowledge of Christ. He further explains in 1 Corinthians 10:24, "No one should seek their own good, but the good of others”(NIV).

Establishing an intentional relationship with God, setting aside time regularly to be alone with Him, is our first priority. If I am faithful to God, I will be faithful to everything He asks (1Co 4:2).Keeping the Word alive within us so we can pass it on to others is a basic Christian principle we cannot forget. This practice is fundamental to the spiritual life, and neglecting it can lead to superficiality and other harm. 

God's faithfulness and love offer us security, as Paul teaches us in Romans 8:31. Therefore, if we are faithful to Christ, we will be faithful in everything. This way, we can help others in need of a mentor, just as Paul needed Barnabas, and Timothy needed Paul's guidance. Sister, one day someone will need you—and me too. Therefore, let us be prepared for that moment, mirroring Christ, Paul, Barnabas, and so many others in the Bible who left this teaching. 

I learned the importance and responsibility of having a mentor in my life. We know that our greatest mentor should always be Jesus Christ, but a suitable sister in our lives is also important, as we see in Proverbs 11:14.

What I learn, I immediately put into practice. Just as God teaches us, Paul passed his wisdom on to Timothy, and my mentor passes her wisdom on to everyone she teaches. I want to leave these words of encouragement to all: Always be faithful to God, and we will be faithful in everything we do. Never forget the teachings of our Lord and practice them, for poor are those who know but do not practice them.

Seek a Christian mentor, learn their teachings, and put them into practice.This way, you'll become a mentor in the future, helping other sisters. Dedicate yourself to God and to others. People are very important to God, and if they're important to Him, they must be important to us too. John 3:16 reminds us of this. Today, I mentor four sisters, to the honor and glory of our Lord Jesus. Learn, practice, and teach others.

May God always continue to bless us. May His name be glorified and exalted forever and ever. Amen.

Written byKathy Reagan,volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Texas.

Think about someone you consider ‘an athlete.’ What comes to mind first? How hard they exercise and train and how dedicated they are, right? Rain or shine, they are carrying on with their training. Nothing stops them.

Are we just as dedicated to our spiritual training (Heb 5:14)?

I began my karate training at age 29. It helped me on many levels: physically (strength, flexibility, balance, and agility to name a few) and mentally (to stay focused and humble). It took three years of daily classes and practice outside of class to achieve my first black belt rank. After that, I was blessed to open my own dojo (karate school) which I had for over 20 years. I had many students throughout the years who trained hard, not only in my classes but also daily at home. These students were a constant delight!

There are many parallels between physical and spiritual training! For both: 

• We need the will to succeed – it takes deliberate effort.1 Corinthians 9:24 (ESV) says, “Do you not know that in a race, all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it.” God’s will is for each of us to “...grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2Pe 3:18). Growth in any area isn’t easy, whether it’s physical, mental, or spiritual. But we choose to work hard, in the study of His Word, to see improvements in ourselves.  

• We need daily self-discipline – Let’s read on in 1 Corinthians 9:25, “Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable one.” Athletes train hard every single day, not just occasionally or when they feel like it, but consistently. 

• In what we internalize – spiritual food. Psalm 119:11, “I have stored up Your Word in my heart, that I might not sin against You,” and Colossians 3:16, “Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly,” emphasize the importance of Christ living in us. We know that when we allow the world in through our eyes and ears (ungodly TV, videos, reading material, music), it’s like an athlete bingeing on junk food and expecting to do well in competition. It just won’t happen.
• In what we do – “But as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct” (1Pe 1:15). In James 1:27, we see that God’s will is for us to “…keep oneself unstained from the world.”  
• In how we think - “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth”(Col 3:2).In 2 Corinthians 10:5, we’re instructed to “Take every thought captive to obey Christ.” 

Is self-control always easy? No, it is rarely easy. That’s why we rely on our Father, laying each struggle at His feet, bringing each challenge to Him in prayer.

• We need daily practice – Of the karate students I taught, the ones who succeeded were those who practiced daily, in class and at home. There are many ways to practice our service to God! What gifts has God given you? Do you have a heart for the poor? Are you able to teach? Are you a natural encourager? Do you love to show hospitality? Just like an athlete practices every day to get better, we also get better at serving God as we step out in faith and serve others. James 1:27 tells us “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction…”.

I had a few students, over the years, who achieved their black belts and then went on to open their own karate schools. They were fully trained. “A student is not above his master”, but when fully trained, will be like his master. Matthew 10:24-25

Spiritual training is so much more important in this life than physical training!

With physical training, you might get in great shape and be lightning fast, strong and agile, but that only has small value for a Christian.  Rather “…train yourself for godliness, for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come” (1Ti 4:7-8). 

Sisters, let’s make the deliberate effort to grow in the grace and knowledge of God’s Word – study! Ask for God’s help daily to exercise self-control in all things – pray! And intentionally choose ways to imitate Jesus every single day by ministering to others – practice!

As spiritual athletes, I pray that we are a constant delight to our Father in heaven, obedient students who train hard in everyday life to be like our Master.