Discipleship

Two Stages in Gospel

The Gospel of Jesus Christ, has two stages in it to experience God—

Justification and
Sanctification

—these two provides a holistic view of the Christian message to address both our standing before God (justification) and our state of transformation in God (sanctification).

Relationship Between the Two

Sequential: Justification often marks the entry point into faith, while the Sanctification represents the ongoing walk with Christ.
Complementary: Justification provides the foundation for Sanctification. Without grace, striving for Sanctification would be futile, and without growth toward Sanctification, the fullness of Salvation might not be fully realized.
Integrated in Scripture: Many passages (e.g., Romans 6:1-2, James 2:14-26) illustrate the balance between being saved by faith and living out that faith through holiness and good works.

This ministry is dedicated to maintaining a balanced emphasis on both aspects of the Gospel, ensuring that neither is diminished at the expense of the other. Unfortunately, many churches today focus solely on the Justification, which often results in spiritual immaturity, while an exclusive focus on the Sanctification can lead to legalism.

What is Justification?

Justification: The act of being declared righteous by faith.

- The free gift of grace through faith.
- Deliverance from Sin's Penalty: Jesus' death and resurrection paid the price for humanity's sins.
- The starting point of the Christian journey: repentance, belief, and the assurance of eternal life.

What is Sanctification?

Sanctification: The process of being made holy through the work of the Holy Spirit.
The process of becoming more like Christ through the work of the Holy Spirit.
Deliverance from Sin's Power: Through the Holy Spirit, believers overcome sin and grow in righteousness and holiness.

- A lifelong journey of spiritual growth, and deeper communion with God.

Two Groups within Church

Irrespective of the good biblical doctrines / churches / denominations, the reason the world is not seeing Jesus is that todays Christians are satisfied & stagnated with

- attending meetings weekly,
- reading the Bible occasionally, and
- praying sometimes.
- good works like involving in volunteering activities, ministries, tithings, offerings, charity., etc.,

It is an awful thing to see people who profess to be Christians lifeless, powerless, and in a place where their lives are so parallel to unbelievers’ lives that it is difficult to tell which place they are in, whether in the flesh or in the Spirit.

Who is Not a Disciple?

Not a Disciple - 3 Conditions to Examine: Luke 14: 25,27

Jesus clearly defines the cost of following Him—not through emotional enthusiasm or outward association, but through deep inner surrender. In addressing the large crowds, He exposes three conditions that reveal who cannot be His disciple:

Loving One’s Family Over God (Caring Circle) – “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters…”
Jesus is not calling for literal hatred but for priority. Anyone who places family affection, approval, or loyalty above devotion to God fails the first mark of discipleship. True love for family flows through love for God, not above it.
Loving One’s Own Life Over God (Being Circle) – “Yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple.”
A disciple must surrender self-centered desires, ambitions, and comforts. Following Christ means dying to self—living not for personal gain or preservation but for God’s purpose and glory.
Loving One’s Own Will Over God’s Will (Innermost Being Circle) – “Whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.”
The cross represents obedience and sacrifice. A true disciple embraces God’s will, even when it requires suffering, humility, or loss. Refusing the cross is refusing discipleship itself.

In short, one is not a disciple if family ties, self-love, or self-will take precedence over full devotion to Christ. Discipleship is not about spiritual status or superiority—it is about surrender, obedience, and total alignment with the will of God.

Are you His Disciple? If you believe Disciples are spiritually superior to Christians, keep reading — there's a surprise in store for you.

Who is a Disciple?

A disciple is more than just someone who believes in Jesus—they are a student and follower of Christ who continually abides in His Word and lives in obedience to it.

According to John 8:31–32, Jesus defines a true disciple as one who abides—that is, remains, dwells, and lives—in His teachings. Such a person doesn’t simply know Scripture intellectually but allows it to transform their heart and actions. Through this abiding relationship, the disciple comes to know the truth personally, and that truth brings genuine freedom—from sin, deception, and self-will.

In Acts 11:26, we learn that “the disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.” This shows that every true Christian was once recognized as a disciple—someone being taught, shaped, and led by Christ. However, today, many claim the name “Christian” without embracing the daily discipline and surrender that discipleship requires.

In essence, a disciple is:

A student of Christ, committed to learning and applying His Word.
A lover of God, who seeks intimacy through prayer and obedience.
A follower of Jesus, walking closely with Him in everyday life.

So, while all disciples are Christians, not all who call themselves Christians live as true disciples. The question Jesus still asks remains personal and searching:
Are you just a Christian in name—or a disciple in truth?

Types of Discipleship

Jesus did not call us merely to run programs—He called us to make disciples, to feed His sheep spiritually, and to walk with people through their transformation. While activities and events have their place, they must never replace the relational, sacrificial work of shepherding. When they do, we risk producing performance rather than spiritual maturity.

The early church did not grow through events alone, but through house-to-house fellowship, sound teaching, accountability, and persistent prayer. That’s where disciples were formed. That’s where the Church became a family.

What Discipleship is Not?

Discipleship is not a program, course, or book to be completed within a set period. Instead, it is a lifelong journey of commitment and continuous submission to the Lordship of Jesus Christ in every area of our lives—emotional, spiritual, financial, social, and professional etc.
Discipleship is not driven by a pastor, mentor, leader, or church. Rather, it is self-driven through the work of the Holy Spirit, characterized by a renewed mind and a regenerated heart.
Discipleship is not a checklist of common tasks to be trained on. Instead, it is a continuous and progressive experience of walking with God.
Discipleship is not about achieving spiritual milestones, accomplishments, or comparing ourselves with others. Rather, it involves:

Humbly examining ourselves through the Word of God.
Joyfully experiencing Him through the power of God.
Radiantly impacting others through the presence of God.

Cost of Discipleship

True discipleship demands more than words, appearances, or religious activity—it requires a surrendered life aligned with God’s will and grounded in obedience to Jesus’ teachings.

Finding and Entering the Narrow Gate (Matthew 7:13–14) – The path to eternal life is not easy or popular. It requires self-denial, repentance, and perseverance. While the broad road offers comfort and conformity, only those willing to choose the narrow way of obedience and sacrifice will find true life in Christ.
Doing the Will of the Father (Matthew 7:21–23) – True disciples are not merely those who speak of Jesus or perform religious works but those who genuinely submit to God’s will. Jesus warns that external acts of faith mean nothing without inner obedience and a real relationship with Him.
Practicing Jesus’ Teachings (Matthew 7:24–27) – Authentic discipleship is proven by action. Those who not only hear but live by Christ’s words build their lives on a solid foundation. When trials and testing come, their faith stands firm. Those who ignore His teachings, however, face spiritual collapse.

In essence, the cost of discipleship is the surrender of self-will, comfort, and superficial religion for a life of wholehearted obedience, rooted in truth and sustained by faith. It is costly—but it leads to life.

Types of Families

We don’t need more performers in the pulpit.
We don’t need more programs in the calendar.
We need spiritual fathers — men and women who will walk closely, disciple intentionally, correct gently, and love sacrificially

beginning at home,
then in the workplace,
and finally in the community.

Not Seeking Kingdom of God?

3 Priorities to Examine: The Parable of the Great Banquet - Luke 14: 15-20

In this parable, Jesus illustrates how people often allow worldly priorities to keep them from responding to God’s invitation. The banquet represents the kingdom of God—an open invitation to fellowship with Him. However, those invited make excuses, revealing misplaced priorities:

Prioritizing Possession over Time with God – The first guest is preoccupied with his newly purchased field, symbolizing how material wealth and ownership can distract from spiritual devotion.
Prioritizing Profession over Time with God – The second guest focuses on his oxen, representing career or business pursuits that overshadow one’s relationship with God.
Prioritizing Family over Time with God – The third guest declines because of marriage, showing that even good things like family can become idols when they take precedence over God.

Through this story, Jesus warns that excuses rooted in earthly priorities can cause people to miss the joy and blessing of God’s kingdom. True discipleship means putting God above possessions, profession, and personal relationships.

Seeking Kingdom of God?

Stages of seeking Kingdom of God is beautifully explained in Mathew 13.

Click here Kingdom of Heaven

Seeking Kingdom of God has 3 Levels of Faith to Grow

Spiritual Birth
Spiritual Growth
Spiritual Maturity

Discipleship Framework

Discipleship is all about

Examine through the Word of God
Experience through the Power of God
Effect through the Presence of God
Engage with the Love of God

Engaging with a community in a meaningful and transformative way requires intentional preparation and alignment of our inner lives, our relationship with God, and the outward effects of this transformation. The process can be broken down into three essential steps, each of which builds upon the other. Skipping any of these steps risks engaging in a way that is shallow, ineffective, or even hypocritical. Let us delve into each step and its implications:

1. Examine Ourselves:

Before we can authentically contribute to our community, we must first look inward. This step is about introspection, repentance, and self-awareness.

Why It Matters: True engagement begins with integrity. We must confront our motivations, biases, and shortcomings to ensure our actions are not driven by ego, self-interest, or unresolved issues.

2. Experience God

Having examined ourselves, the next step is to turn to God for renewal and guidance. This is where we deepen our relationship with Him, drawing strength, purpose, and clarity from His presence.

Why It Matters: Without experiencing God's transformative power, our efforts may lack the spiritual depth needed to make a lasting impact. God’s presence ensures our actions are rooted in His love and truth.

3. Confirm the Effects:

The effects of our inner transformation must be evident in three interconnected spheres:

Being Circle: Our identity and character. Are we living as people shaped by God’s truth and grace?
Caring Circle: Our relationships with those close to us. Are we expressing God’s love and care in our immediate spheres of influence?
Sharing Circle: Our broader community impact. Are we using our gifts, resources, and opportunities to serve others in meaningful ways?
Why It Matters: Authentic transformation leads to observable changes. If our faith does not produce fruit in these circles, our engagement risks being hollow or performative.

4. Engage the Community:

Only after completing these preparatory steps is it time to step into community engagement. At this stage, we are equipped to serve with authenticity, humility, and a God-centered focus.

Why It Matters: Engaging prematurely, without self-examination, divine renewal, and visible transformation, risks hypocrisy. True engagement comes from an overflow of what God has done in and through us.

Avoiding Hypocrisy:

Skipping any of these steps undermines the process:

Without self-examination, we may act out of pride or ignorance.
Without experiencing God, our efforts may lack spiritual depth and guidance.
Without confirming the effects, we risk presenting a false or incomplete witness to others.

Engaging the community without these foundational steps can lead to actions that are disconnected from our true selves and from God’s purpose. Hypocrisy not only diminishes our witness but also harms the very community we aim to serve.