On Being Disciples...

During the last few weeks in Kid’s Church we have been teaching about the twelve disciples. The twelve men that Jesus chose to help carry out His ministry on earth represented a broad range of backgrounds, experiences, and personalities. They did not have minister’s credentials, they were not prophets, nor did they possess any special abilities or talents; they were ordinary men. However, there was one attribute they all had in common: their willingness to serve and obey Jesus Christ. In choosing the disciples, Jesus chose men who would follow Him and had a heart to do the will of the Father.

All believers are to be disciples, or followers, of Christ. Jesus also commanded us to go and make disciples of every nation …and teach them to obey everything He has commanded us (Matthew 28:19, 20). As His disciples, it is our job to fulfill our purpose in Him. It is God’s purpose for us to serve, obey and love Him in every aspect of our lives. As believers, this should be easy. We love Him because He first loved us (I John 4:19). God’s word tells us we will be blessed for our obedience (Deuteronomy 8:1). Jesus said that those who love Him will be obedient to Him and will be loved by Him (John 14:21). We serve to give honor and glory to God (I Peter 4:11). Many church-goers believe they are followers of Christ, but their actions, words, and attitudes do not reflect a life of service, obedience and love. Why, then, is it so difficult for people to be true disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ?

Jesus tells us in Luke 14:33 “In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple”. Our love for God should surpass our wants and desires. When we focus on the cares of life around us, those things take priority in our life and consume our love, obedience and service. God should be the first priority in our lives always. Jesus clearly stated that we are not to worry about material things or our circumstances, but we are to seek His kingdom first and everything else will be taken care of (Matthew 6:33).

I love explaining the following concept to children in Kid’s Church. Children understand it much more clearly than adults, because they do not look for shades of gray. When a believer makes a conscious decision to sin, who are they serving? Jesus said that no man can serve two masters. Can you sin and serve God at the same time?

Sin easily entangles us, making it ever more difficult to live the life of obedience and service to which God has called us. Once we receive the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ, we should die to sin. Sin is not our master; we become slaves to obedience, not to sin. (Romans 6:1-18). As we all know, even Jesus’ disciples fell short: Peter denied, Thomas doubted, Judas betrayed. But thank God for His mercy and grace! If we confess our sins, he forgives them and cleanses us from everything we’ve done wrong (I John 1:9). Jesus said in John 8:31 “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free”. In order to be a true disciple, we should always seek a life of obedience and reject even the smallest temptation to sin.


As followers of Christ, we should do all things in love. The world in which we live is consumed in bitter division, anger, hatred, dishonesty, greed, etc. But we are called to love and show that love to all. Love should be the primary motivation for all that we do; it is the love for our Savior that compels us to love, serve and minister to others. As Paul wrote in I Corinthians 13:1, 2 “but if I don’t have love, I am a loud gong or clashing cymbal. I may have the gift to speak what God has revealed, and I may understand all mysteries and have all knowledge. I may even have enough faith to move mountains. But if I don’t have love, I am nothing.” We must possess the love of Christ in our hearts and lives in order to be a true disciple. In our interactions with others, do we sound like a clashing symbol or gong? Or do your words and actions always convey love? When they do, people will know you are a disciple, one who truly loves and follows Jesus Christ. Jesus clearly tells us in John 13:35 “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another”.

-Pastor Tina Blackburn
Children's Pastor