Parallel Faith: Being a Disciple of JesusSample

Day 6 | Parallel With People

Once we have grasped that the essence of being a disciple is about following Jesus until we become like him, then it starts to shape our whole Christian walk. As a disciple, we live in order that we might learn with, love like, live for, and look like Jesus.

What if we began to define discipleship as walking alongside others on their journey to Christ?

The exciting thing about this approach is that you can do this with anyone from any starting point. You don’t even have to wait until someone walks through a church door to begin.

What if we went on a mission for discipleship to no longer be professionalized (abdicated to the preacher or pastor) or pigeonholed (something my church does on a course on a Thursday night), but for it to be prioritized and to help people realize it’s more than a program—it’s a way of life?

When it comes to helping others put their trust in Jesus, Christians often have a fixed stereotype about the kind of person they believe will be better at it than others. But this kind of mindset is never helpful. There really is no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to making disciples. In fact, we can see how Jesus used all sorts of people for his mission to change the world.

You could be a trailblazer like Peter—always full of bold ideas and ready to take action.

Or perhaps you’re an along-sider like Andrew—friendly, open-minded, and good with emotions.

Are you more of a warm, kind host like Martha? You love opening your home, sharing, and making friends with strangers.

Maybe you’re passionate and fun-loving like John—someone who cares about people and spreads joy.

Or you might relate to Priscilla, who’s wise and focused on helping others grow. You always teach, train, and constructively inspire positive change.

It doesn’t matter who you are—it matters whose you are. And God can use you!

The first disciples didn’t have the same type of personalities or skill sets or come from the same backgrounds in life. They weren’t all extroverts. None of them were perfect. Jesus wasn’t surrounded by superheroes. Yet, they and those who came after them changed the world by pointing others to Jesus and making disciples. Why? Because they were full of God’s power.

What if you were too?