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  • Writer's pictureKelly

Mr. Google and Mr. Bloom


The first question on the ordination project journey… What is discipleship?


I’ve heard folks claim that there is a huge difference between a disciple and an apostle, and, for some reason, that is where my thoughts began when I considered this first question. After a bit of Googling, I’m pretty sure that the folks who make this claim might be on to something. A disciple is a pupil – someone who is studying and learning all about a subject. In our case, of course, that subject is Jesus.


So then, it seems logical to turn our attention to the idea of what an apostle might be. Again, after help from Mr. Google, I discovered that the word, apostle, is from a root word that means “to send out.” That’s very different than just a student who is learning; it’s someone who has learned and is ready to synthesize and share that information – to go out to tell everyone else about and answer questions on the subject that they’re invested time, effort, and intellect into learning.


(Thanks, Mr. Bloom, for your taxonomy that I learned in some random education class a million years ago; your insight plays right into this idea of discipling versus apostling.)


So back to the question… What is discipleship? After considering what a disciple is and what an apostle might be, it seems that discipleship has to be this: the teaching – coaching, educating, and otherwise informing – those who want to learn.


It seems to me, though, that we – and by “we,” I mean the Church, apostolic and universal – do not have a clear mark when folks are sufficiently discipled. Discipleship or learning is a life-long process. I guess the goal for us all is to become an apostle – one who goes into the world to share the stories of Jesus – but the disciple part for us never ends. We just have to figure out how to be sent AND to continue to learn at the same time.


So, full circle, what is discipleship? As a Church body, discipleship becomes our responsibility to create an environment where those who are searching for meaning and understanding can find it. It's creating ways for education, growth, and learning. It's being the messenger in a within-the-church-walls sort of way.


But most importantly, discipleship – and all the related events and activities – are where faith begins; these beginnings can honor and challenge all of us if we allow our hearts and minds to realize the responsibility we all have been blessed with as both disciples and disciplers.


Y’all stay safe out there…


P.S. There was a second question along with the one discussed above, and it was, “How do we make them (disciples)?” I omitted this question; the Holy Spirit makes disciples. We don’t. Thankfully. We just help sometimes when the Holy Spirit needs it. 😉


P.P.S. If you are curious about the source of the questions for this and the next few blog posts, check out the post prior to this one. All shall become clear…

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations,

baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.

And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Matthew 28:19-20

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