Series Overview

What does it mean to be a disciple?

Our new series called “Walking The Way” will explore that question.

In Scripture, ‘walking’ is a metaphor for the whole manner of a person’s life and conduct.  It is the manner in which one operates.  “Way” similarly refers to how one conducts oneself, but also refers to God’s purpose and will – his commandments; His saving action.  “The Way” was the earliest designation of Jesus’ disciples.  It is found six times in the book of Acts.  The earliest believers chose this title most likely because Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Walking in The Way is, therefore, what we do as Christians.  Our lives are lived in Christ. We Follow His path.  We follow Him.  Walking in The Way is discipleship. 

But  talking about discipleship often leads to lists of things that you need to do and disciplines that you need to learn and practice.  And though it’s true that discipleship does involve doing things and practicing certain disciplines.  But if we ever only focus on those things, then we focus too much on ourselves and not enough on the Lord.

For discipleship (following after Jesus) only happens when we actually see Jesus – when we look at Him and look to Him.  Unless we have a compelling vision of Jesus (and therefore a clear and real vision of Jesus), we will never grow as disciples.

And so, as we explore how to be disciples, we focus on Christ.  We look to Him. As the writer of Hebrews encourages us, “let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith” (Heb 12:1-2 RSV).

In this series, we will be looking at six specific areas of discipleship - namely: priorities, fervency, vulnerability, prayer, mission and sacrifice, but we will be looking at those areas in light of Christ.  In the Gospel of John, there are several “I Am” statements of Jesus as He declares who He is (I am the Bread of Life, Light of the World).  We will use some of those statements to have our eyes lifted to Jesus – that the vision we see of Him will inspire and transform how we operate.