Christian discipleship is the journey of following Jesus Christ and growing in faith while living according to biblical principles. But it is not just about acquiring Bible knowledge or involvement in spiritual activity. It is about becoming all that God created us to be so that we can do all that He created us to do. Christian discipleship is to encompass a person’s entire life.
Total Life Discipleship starts with accepting God’s vision of you, which inspires a desire for personal transformation into the person God intends you to be. As you align yourself with God’s vision of you, you will experience profound changes in your thoughts, actions, and relationships. By growing in your new identity in Christ, you will gain the character, faith, and discipline necessary to fulfill the divine plan God has set for you, resulting in eternal impact.
Through this process, you not only grow closer to God but also become an instrument of His love and grace in the world, making a meaningful difference in the lives of those around you.
In God’s eyes, believers in Christ are cherished and beloved children, fully accepted and forgiven. They are seen as a new creation, cleansed of past sins, and given a fresh start. God delights in their faith journey and is eager to help them become all He created them to be. Believers, as members of God’s family, are promised eternal life and a purpose.
God created you to make a lasting difference. Regardless of how you feel about your life right now, God has wonderful plans for you—plans that fulfill His eternal purpose.
Five Spiritual Values
Total Life Discipleship is based on five spiritual values. It is relationship-centered, grace-based, Spirit-dependent, love-motivated, and biblically focused.
Relationship-Centered
Christianity is fundamentally about relationships. At its core, it emphasizes the importance of our relationship with God, our relationships with fellow believers, and our relationships with those who do not yet know Christ.
First and foremost, our relationship with God is paramount. God desires a wholehearted love relationship with us, one that is characterized by deep intimacy and unwavering commitment. He wants to be our priority relationship above all others, guiding and shaping every aspect of our lives. This relationship with God is not based on rules or rituals; it is about experiencing His love, grace, and presence in a personal and transformative way.
Secondly, Christianity calls us to cultivate meaningful relationships with others in God’s family. These relationships are built on mutual encouragement, love, and support. As members of the body of Christ, we are called to bear one another’s burdens, rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Our relationships with fellow believers are meant to reflect the unity and love that Christ has for His church, fostering a sense of community and belonging.
Lastly, Christianity also emphasizes the importance of our relationships with non-believers. We are called to be ambassadors of Christ, sharing His love and truth with those who have not yet experienced it. Our interactions with non-believers should be marked by compassion, respect, and a genuine desire to see them come to know the saving grace of Jesus Christ. Through our words and actions, we have the opportunity to highlight a new way of life, pointing others to the hope and redemption found in Christ.
Grace-Based
God bestows His goodness on us, not because we are worthy, but because He is gracious. This profound truth highlights the nature of God’s love and generosity. His goodness is not something we can earn or deserve through our actions or merits. Instead, it is a gift that flows from His boundless grace and mercy.
God wants us to live righteously and reflect Christ-like virtues such as love, kindness, humility, and integrity. However, it’s important to realize that our efforts do not make us deserving of His goodness. We are flawed and fall short of His perfect standards; no amount of good deeds can earn His favor.
God’s grace is given freely, without conditions or prerequisites. It is an unmerited favor that we receive simply because of His love for us. This acceptance changes our attitude, enabling us to grow in faith and character. It empowers us to live in a way that honors Him, not out of a sense of obligation, but out of gratitude for the incredible gift we have received. Through His grace, we are able to experience His goodness and loving-kindness, which continually renew and sustain us on our spiritual journey.
Spirit-Dependent
God wants us to live supernatural lives by relying on the Holy Spirit for wisdom, power, and resources that surpass human limitations. Trusting in our own abilities leads to failure, as self-effort alone is insufficient for true spiritual growth. By depending on the Holy Spirit, we gain the guidance and strength necessary to navigate life’s challenges and deepen our faith.
If we place our trust in our own abilities to live the Christian life, we are bound to fail. Human effort alone is ultimately powerless in achieving true spiritual growth. The “try harder self-effort” model is flawed because it relies on our limited capabilities rather than on God’s limitless power. Instead, we must depend on the Holy Spirit, who empowers us to live each day successfully.
By surrendering our self-reliance and embracing the Holy Spirit’s guidance, we can experience a life that is truly transformed and aligned with God’s purpose for us. This reliance on the Holy Spirit is the key to living a victorious and fulfilling Christian life.
Love-Motivated
God is love, and this love permeates His entire being. It is the very essence of who He is. He desires for us to live life fully in His unconditional love, allowing it to impact every aspect of our lives. This love is not something we can generate on our own; it originates from God Himself. He is the ultimate source of love, and it begins with Him.
As we open our hearts to receive God’s love, we become channels through which His love can flow to others. This means that our ability to love others is directly connected to Him. The more we understand and accept the depths of God’s love for us, the more fully we are able to love others.
When we allow God’s love to flow through us, it changes how we interact with others. We begin to see others through the lens of His love, extending kindness, patience, and forgiveness. This divine love empowers us to love others selflessly and sacrificially, reflecting the character of Christ in our daily lives.
Biblically-Focused
We all have a natural perspective that is influenced by our core convictions. These convictions have been developed over time through our education, experiences, and life circumstances. They shape the way we see the world and interact with others. However, God desires for us to view life from His perspective and adopt a mindset that reflects His values. This means aligning our thoughts, attitudes, and actions with the teachings and principles found in the Bible.
The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in this transformation. He renews our minds with God’s truth, which is revealed in the Bible. As we immerse ourselves in Scripture and allow the Holy Spirit to work within us, our perspectives begin to shift. We start to see things through God’s eyes and develop a deeper understanding of His will for our lives.
These are five spiritual values of the Total Life Discipleship process. By keeping these in balance, you can become a follower of Christ, based on the values and priorities outlined in the Bible. These five values can serve as guidelines for any follower of Christ, helping them to grow in their faith and live a life that honors God.
Through this program, believers can experience a holistic approach to discipleship that encompasses every aspect of their lives, leading to personal transformation and eternal impact.