Embracing the Call to be A Disciple

Learning by Watching

I grew up in a country side where people mostly knew each other. Sabbath worship was always exciting. I loved going to church and listen to everyone singing. But the most exciting part was watching the three guitarists in the church. I watched them played their guitars. After worship I kept on imagining the placement of their fingers to the string wishing to play them in a real guitar. Little did I know that I was experiencing a phenomenon of becoming a disciple.

When we went to Cebu City, my father bought a guitar. It made me more excited because I can now play the chords that is in my head. Everytime I made a mistake I just have to wait for Sabbath and I can ask the guitarists to teach me. Even if I am just around 6 years old, I made special bond with the church guitarists and they became my guitar teachers.

The Concept of Discipleship

Just like learning guitar, one must have a desired interest ignited by those who are guitar players. I learn to play the guitar because somebody got me interested because they played the guitar. “The loveliness of the character of Christ will be seen in His followers. It was His delight to do the will of God. Love to God, zeal for His glory, was the controlling power in our Saviour’s life” (Steps to Christ, p. 59).

The concept of discipleship begin with ones attraction to the character of God and then followed by a commitment to follow Christ. One must have a special connection with God to reveal His character and help people learn more about Christ. This is the essence of the Word of God,

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Matthew 28:19-20

The person who committed their life to follow Christ becomes a disciple and by following Christ he/she becomes a disciple-maker.

Ellen G. White in her book Steps to Christ wrote, “The loveliness of the character of Christ will be seen in His followers” (p.60). People around a disciple of Christ will surely recognize the presence of Christ. The presence of His Character that will serve as an attraction to those who are yet to experience Christ. To embrace the call to be a disciple is simply to follow Christ which lead to a transform life.