Discipleship is TRANSFORMATIONAL
I will conclude the thoughts on FIRST things FIRST with this post. Remember from previous posts that effective discipleship must be a FIRST priority. The acronym FIRST reminds us that discipleship must be Foundational, Intentional, Relational, Situational and Transformational. Today let’s look at Transformational Discipleship.
I think back over the years and realize how I’ve changed. In some ways that’s a good thing (hopefully not as immature as I used to be) and in other ways not so much (I can’t fit into the same jeans as I could in high school). But each of us change over the course of our lives. Most of us don’t look like we did ten years ago (I’ll let you decide if that’s a good thing or not). Many of us are doing different jobs than we were a decade ago. Some of us are in different relationships and have different friends than we did before the turn of the 21st century.
Change is inevitable in life. Effective discipleship should also result in inevitable change. Discipleship should equal transformation. The Bible is filled with stories of real people who were transformed by the power of God. Often the change was immediate and obvious like the conversion of Saul on the road to Damascus. Other times change was more incremental through a series of life changing events like Peter experienced.
The Bible says in Romans 12:2 that we should continue to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. There is a transformational process that each Christ follower should embrace on a daily basis. We should also seek transformation in those that we disciple. Change cannot be forced on someone, but it can be pursued in a discipling relationship. An effective disciple seeks change not only in his or her own life, but also in the lives of others.
This kind of transformation is never easy. It requires change from the inside out. It demands denial to the flesh. Transformation means saying yes to Jesus’ will and no to my own. But that is how people recognize me as a Christ follower. I’m recognized by my fruit, which should be the fruit of transformation. People should continue to see a change in my attitude and actions as I grow closer to Christ.
If I am not changing then I am not being discipled. And if I am not changing then I cannot expect others that look up to me to follow my example. “Follow me as I follow Christ” should be our motto as disciples and disciple makers. But following Christ will always lead to transformation. Transformation is often painful, but always necessary.
So are you experiencing transformation in your own life?
And who is being transformed in part because of your example?
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Bobby’s Bio
Bobby grew up in Independence, Missouri, which is located just outside of Kansas City. He graduated from Central Bible College in Springfield, Missouri with a BA in Bible/Theology. After graduating from college he married Vanessa and moved to Metro Detroit to plant a church. Bobby and Vanessa spent five years establishing Pontiac Family Worship Center before moving back to Kansas City to start another new church. Bobby launched the Synergy Church Network in 2008. He and Vanessa also started EPIC Church in 2009. In addition to serving as Lead Pastor at EPIC, Bobby’s desire is to plant churches and develop leaders.
Bobby is a passionate Christ follower, a loving husband and father, a gifted communicator and a church planting pastor. Bobby has been preaching for the last fifteen years both nationally and internationally. His primary passion is to see people come to Christ. To contact Bobby regarding a speaking engagement or to find out more about EPIC Church or the Synergy Church Network click email me on the right side of the page.
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