Being an everyday disciple is all about loving Jesus and being devoted to following Him every single day, even in the little details of life. So, let's dive in and explore what it really means to be a disciple and how we can live as everyday disciples in our day-to-day routines.
Embracing the Role of a Disciple
Being a disciple simply means being a student or a follower. Back in Jesus' time, kids would live in the temple to learn everything from their rabbi – the Scriptures, traditions, cultural practices, and even personal care and dietary habits. Now, we don't claim to take Jesus' place, but we do want to imitate Him. As everyday disciples, our mission is to imitate Jesus, become more like Him, and join in His mission to spread the good news and bring others closer to God.
Living as an Everyday Disciple
Being an everyday disciple goes beyond just reading the Bible and praying (although those are important!). It means that even in our regular, everyday lives, like going to work, cooking meals, picking up the kids from school, or scheduling car maintenance, we let the love and kindness of Jesus shine through us. We become living examples of His teachings wherever we go and whatever we do.
Practical Steps to Becoming an Everyday Disciple
So, how do we actually live as everyday disciples? Here are some down-to-earth steps we can take:
Living a Godly Life:
Let's remember that we are princesses of the kingdom of heaven and act like it! Ephesians 4:1 encourages us to live in a manner worthy of our calling. That means embracing godliness and living self-controlled, upright, and godly lives that bring glory to God. We are called to renounce ungodliness and reflect our heavenly identity.
Eagerly Doing Good in Jesus' Name:
James chapter 2 reminds us that faith without works is dead. So, as disciples, we need to be ready and willing to do good things in the name of Jesus. This doesn't mean we have to commit to every church activity, but rather, we are open to serving others and sharing God's love through our actions. We give of our time, energy, and resources to bless others and make Jesus known.
Following Jesus Even in Difficult Times:
Jesus Himself told His disciples that following Him wouldn't always be easy. In Matthew chapter 10, He said that taking up our cross and following Him is necessary. We may face hardships, but we can find comfort and peace in knowing that Jesus never leaves us alone. Even in the tough times, we trust Him and keep following His lead.
Allowing Transformation through Scripture and the Holy Spirit:
The Bible and the Holy Spirit have the power to change us from the inside out. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 assures us that God's Word teaches, corrects, and trains us to live according to His ways. Romans 12:2 encourages us to renew our minds and let God transform us. So, as everyday disciples, we dive into the Word, obey its teachings, and allow the Holy Spirit to shape our thoughts, words, and actions to be more like Jesus.
Being an everyday disciple means living out our love for Jesus in every aspect of our lives. We imitate Him, embrace godliness, serve others, stay faithful in tough times, and let Scripture and the Holy Spirit guide our transformation. By doing so, we become living testimony.