Transforming Discipleship: Opportunities in Following the Master in a Postmodern World

Abstract

“Come follow me . . . and I will make you fishers of men” (Matt 4:19 NIV). With these words Jesus Christ proposed to two brothers on the shores of the Sea of Galilee a new lifestyle. On that very day a life-transforming journey began. From a simple and humble life as fishermen, Peter and Andrew, became the first disciples of someone who called himself the long-expected Messiah. That encounter marked the beginning of a very intentional and purposeful process. Jesus himself put in place a pattern for “discipleship” that should be initially absorbed by the twelve and later emulated by everyone who would accept the invitation to follow him. However, the original plan of the Master seems to be far from the reality found among many who claim to be Christians. In fact, a majority of Christian churches have quite a different approach from what Jesus Christ experienced with his first disciples. Usually there is a brief orientation/training for the “prospective” follower, mainly on the basis of doctrinal teachings and the uniqueness of denominational beliefs. Then, comes the assumption that the new believer—usually after the ceremony of baptism—will basically be assimilated into the church body and automatically become a devoted and committed disciple. An intentional and real discipleship process is, in most cases, fully ignored. The experiential learning process used by Christ with his first disciples is left out. Perhaps it is important to remind ourselves that “Jesus spent very little time inside temple walls” (Kohn 2010:12). The result? Many names on church books (or depending on the geographical location, not so many), some “regular customers” in worship seeking to satisfy themselves with a “religious