What Does It Mean To Be A Disciple Of Jesus
Being a disciple of Jesus is a transformative journey, one that calls us to live out our faith in deep, committed ways. A disciple isn’t merely someone who knows about Jesus. Rather, a disciple is someone who follows Jesus in every aspect of life. As believers, we are invited to walk in His footsteps, reflect His love, and embody His teachings. But what exactly does it mean to be a disciple of Jesus? Through the lens of Scripture, particularly 1 Peter 1:18-19 and 1 Peter 1:21-23, we can understand more fully the essence of discipleship. Redeemed by the Blood of Christ In 1 Peter 1:18-19, we read a profound statement about the cost of our salvation and the transformative power of Jesus’ sacrifice: “For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.” (1 Peter 1:18-19, NIV) This passage highlights the incredible price Jesus paid for our redemption. The imagery of the “precious blood of Christ” reminds us that our salvation was not bought with mere earthly possessions. But with something far more valuable—Jesus’ own life. Discipleship begins at the cross, where we recognize the immeasurable cost of our redemption. Being a disciple of Jesus means understanding the weight of His sacrifice. Accepting His gift of grace and being forever changed by it. Living in light of this great truth, we know that our lives are no longer our own, but belong to the One who gave Himself for us. Trusting in God’s Plan In the following verses, 1 Peter 1:21-23, the apostle Peter reminds us of the foundation of our faith as believers: “Through Him you believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and glorified Him, and so your faith and hope are in God. Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart.” (1 Peter 1:21-23, NIV) Being a disciple of Jesus involves placing our trust in God’s plan of salvation. Jesus’ death and resurrection were not just historical eventst They are the heart of our faith and the basis of our hope. As disciples, we trust in God’s redemptive work through Christ. In doing so, our lives are shaped by this reality. We are called to purify ourselves by obeying the truth. To live in accordance with God’s Word and follow His ways. Discipleship calls us to a life of purity, not because we can earn our salvation, but because we are motivated by gratitude for the grace we have received. Living Out Love and Holiness At the core of discipleship is love—a love that is deeply rooted in God’s love for us. In 1 Peter 1:22, Peter urges believers to “love one another deeply, from the heart.” Discipleship is not about following a set of rules or adhering to a distant moral code. It’s about embodying the love that Christ showed us on the cross and extending that love to others. This love is sincere, not superficial or conditional, but comes from a heart that has been transformed by God’s truth. But love is not the only hallmark of discipleship. In verse 23, Peter writes: “For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.” (1 Peter 1:23, NIV) To be a disciple of Jesus means to be born again, to experience a spiritual renewal that comes through God’s Word. The Scriptures are the living and enduring word of God. It is through them that we grow and mature in our faith. Discipleship is not a one-time event but a continuous process of transformation. As we meditate on God’s Word, apply it to our lives, and allow the Holy Spirit to work in us, we are being made into the image of Christ. A Life of Obedience and Holiness The call to discipleship is not a call to a comfortable life. It is a call to obedience, to living a life that reflects the holiness of the One we follow. Peter writes earlier in this chapter, in verses 14-16: “As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.’” (1 Peter 1:14-16, NIV) Being a disciple means rejecting the desires and patterns of the world and embracing the holiness of God. Discipleship calls us to live according to God’s will, even when it is difficult or counter cultural. Conclusion: A Life Transformed by Christ Being a disciple of Jesus means embracing the sacrifice He made for us, trusting in God’s plan, and living out a life of love, holiness, and obedience. It is a life that continually seeks to follow Jesus, not out of obligation, but out of love and gratitude for what He has done. As disciples, we are called to be transformed by the Word of God, to love others deeply, and to live lives that reflect the holiness of our Savior. This is the essence of what it means to be a disciple of Jesus—following Him, becoming like Him, and sharing His love with the world. We want to help you on your journey to follow Jesus! Lifegroups are a place to take a break from those busy demands of everyday life. They are a place to build authentic friendships – connect with friends, laugh, and serve together. Hang out with your people, love Jesus and each other and experience community. Find a Lifegroup near you today!
That’s Why I Choose Kids
Kids’ hearts are pure and genuine, and well, they just get it. They have an unwavering faith and curiosity. Kids often have a natural curiosity about the world around them, including spiritual matters. A children’s pastor gets to witness and nurture this curiosity, answering questions about God, faith, and morality in ways that are understandable and meaningful to young minds. One night, during Pulse 45 student ministry, I witnessed an amazing act of kindness with my fifth-grade boys. I have a group that is highly competitive, and they dog each other constantly. We were playing gaga ball, and everybody was having a great time and laughing and being silly. I have one little boy who is quiet, shy, and awkward, yet shows up every week and participates. Usually, he doesn’t win anything. As I watched kids get out of the game, I noticed a group of four boys who huddled real quick between rounds, and then I saw them leave the game one by one. It was down to two boys, the super-competitive one and the shy, not-so-athletic one. The super-athletic boy lost the game on purpose, making my other little guy the winner. Fifth grade boys don’t normally act that way. But because of their love for Jesus, it’s easy for them to recognize and make a decision to allow something like that to happen. I was so touched and moved by their gesture. That’s why I choose kids. I receive messages from parents, that say, “Hey, what’s that song that you guys sing in Kid Village? My child keeps requesting it because they want to listen to it in the car.” Recently, a parent sent me a message that said, “My daughter and I pray before every single one of her gymnastics meets. I ask her what she wants to pray about, and she tells me. It’s usually me who does the praying. But today she prayed out loud, and was not afraid because you told her to go out and be bold. A parent shared with me that their daughter is president of the kindness club in their neighborhood. She was currently having the first meeting of the club and planning out ways that they are going to be kind. When you walk alongside a child who’s parent passes away, and they stand up and say at the visitation, “My dad is not dead, he lives on because He is with Jesus.” My very favorite is when a parent tells you that their daughter wants to go into ministry because of the impact the church has had on them. Matthew 19:14 says: “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Kids Are Filled With Joy In Simplicity The simple, unguarded moments of joy and discovery that children experience can be a powerful reminder of the beauty in the world. It reinforces the values of faith, hope, and love in their purest forms. Kid spiritual growth is a journey. One that involves helping kids understand the importance of kindness, forgiveness, and community, and seeing these values reflected in their actions and interactions. Working with kids also means facing the challenges they encounter, from family issues to personal struggles. But walking alongside kids, I help navigate these difficulties with faith and resilience. When you work with kids, there is a reward of influence. One of the most fulfilling aspects of being a children’s pastor is seeing the long-term impact of your work. Influencing children in a positive, faith-filled direction can shape their lives and the lives of those around them for years to come. Kids also teach me. I often find that I learn as much from the kids as the kids do from me. The honesty, openness, and fresh perspective of kids can inspire and challenge adults to see their faith and the world in new ways. Check out Kid Village and Pulse 45 at all 3 of our campuses.
Life Change When God Is On The Move
Watching God on the move has been my favorite thing ever. Looking back at how life used to look, it is so encouraging knowing that life change was possible. I was such an angry person inside. Every little bother or inconvenience usually instigated a slew of curse words in my head about how lacking someone else was. I walked around my own house, which should have been a safe and welcoming place, picking apart the mistakes of my family while resentment brewed. Alcohol was a huge part of my social life. It was something I desperately clung to while interacting with others. Even when my kids would comment about how many empty white claw cans were on our counter, I didn’t care. I was selfish and living for myself, and everyone around me just fell into second place. Then Jesus Happened You can roll your eyes or think Jesus is made up and silly. You can think He isn’t here with us to show that 100% of the Bible is accurate. There is no way to produce Him physically to tell and show the miracles He is capable of doing. I get it. If you’ve ever loved someone, clung to that love, and were willing to die over that love, then you’re not too far from putting all of your eggs into the basket of faith, yourself. You can’t prove love, touch love, or produce a physical entity of love. But you sure can believe in it with all of your heart, body, and soul. God was on the move and Jesus came into my life. Slowly but surely, so many negative things were stripped out of my life: Anger was peeled back, giving way to thankfulness. Bitterness was quietly replaced with forgiveness behind the scenes. My attitude that things were never good enough changed to humbling, unbelievable gratitude to our God for the people and blessings He’s placed in my life. From there, the rest was history. God Moves And Change Takes Place Once you experience the weight being lifted off your shoulders, you are eager for more. I dove into reading His Word (I highly recommend the New Living Translation for new readers) and immersed myself in studying the Bible. I watched relationships renew, gratefulness emerge, and my own life transform into something better. My quiet scorn was replaced with a smile, and I didn’t realize it, but I hadn’t rolled my eyes in months. A year ago, I was focused on material objects, partying, having what appears to be a perfect life, jealousy, and so many selfish desires and goals. Today, I have faith that God directly intervened in my life to save me. The happiness I have experienced from having a relationship with Jesus is just as valid as the love a parent has for their kids. It’s tangible, unbreakable, and without a doubt – REAL! Is There More To Life? The answer is yes – there is. Pick up a copy of the Bible and read it, search for it online, or download the YouVersion Bible App on your phone. I was told by a few incredible Christian friends to start with the New Testament and see where God leads you. Read it. It is filled with a literal blueprint of how to live your life and how to find a better way, a better place, a better purpose. In doing so, I have full faith that you will be able to: “throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception.” Ephesians 4:22 and instead, find yourself with a: “…new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.” Ephesians 4:24 I know I did. I would love for everyone to know what a better life they would have if they just read it. After all, you can’t knock something you don’t know anything about, right? I challenge you to get to know the Bible and Jesus’s love and make your decision only after that. God is there, patiently waiting on the other side. He is ready and willing to change your life, just as He so lovingly did to mine. All you have to do is open a book. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: the old has gone, the new is here!” 2 Corinthians 5:17