Weekly Assignment: Discipleship vs. Super-Christianity

Assignment:

1. Read, study, and practice Jonathan Edwards, Engagement of the Heart section.
2. Next meeting TBD.  Either Saturday or Monday at Filers?

There were some really helpful thoughts shared at last week's meeting, I think.

1. Discipleship is not "super-Christianity."  A lot of Christian groups, churches, and individuals have this in mind when they hear about or practice discipleship.  A disciple is a Christian who has regular quiet times, goes on mission trips, gives a lot to the poor, etc.
2. Discipleship is the starting place.  It is the entry position.  The basic "mode of travel in the kingdom of heaven," as Dallas puts it.  I am intrigued about this.  If discipleship is not "over-the-top" Christianity, what is it exactly?  I find I sympathize with "the response [to discipleship] is less one of rebellion or rejection than one of puzzlement."
3. At the heart of discipleship is a relationship, not a method.  "In the heart of a disciple there is a desire, and there is a decision or settled intent.  The disciple of Christ desires above all else to be like him."  Being like Jesus is inseparable from being with him.

Funny that I am used to thinking of "becoming like Jesus" in "super-Christian" terms.  I must do something big, important, or heroic to become like Jesus.  Somehow these efforts often have the opposite effect, however. I find I am discouraged at how much I am not like Jesus when I "fail."

Perhaps the derailing of the desire and intent to be like Jesus by the false idea of "super-Christianity" can be avoided by starting with small things done with great love.  Perhaps consistency is more important than "much-ness."  I should try not so hard to get a lot done, but try to do just one thing: the next step that is in front of me.

Spiritual disciplines are chosen activities outside the normal that draw attention to Christ in my life.  They are drawing near to him and learning from him.  I guess I cannot hope to truly become one with Christ without learning from him nor can I hope to do what he does without being near to him.  Such is the nature of discipleship.