Disciple, Discipled, Discipling

My daughter completed writing another book that has been sent off to the publisher. I was grateful to be her technical writer, going through the manuscript with a “fine tooth comb” to review it for clarity, punctuation, grammar, and content. With the wisdom she learned from her own life experiences, she wrote as a disciple of Christ to help her readers avoid some of her pitfalls and gain the wisdom she learned. So, in essence, she, as a disciple of Christ is discipling others to become disciples of Christ, also.

In my editing, I wrestled with her using discipled or discipling as an “action verb” because it isn’t described in the dictionary as a verb. I know she used it as the “action of making disciples” and shortened it to “discipling”, but my “Grammarly” app that spellchecks the contents, kept rejecting it as an "unknown" word.

Using “disciple” as a verb indicates the action Jesus commanded when he told us to “make disciples” of all nations. And when Staci used it as “discipling” people, she was describing how we obey Jesus by “making disciples.” Whew! I’m sure you can understand the angst I had to not using it as a verb because even as I type this post, Grammarly has highlighted it as an "incorrect" word eight times. But, for the emphasis Staci desired to make her point, it was necessary. She won the debate by keeping the word as a noun and a verb.

But there is a deeper question underlying the issue of grammar that created my angst. I was resolute against it but now, I find myself asking myself. “Does the way I’m wanting to use the word “disciple” indicate something about my heart? About my preferences? Do I prefer the noun of being a disciple or the verb of “discipling” aka making disciples?

Maybe I’m more comfortable with “disciple” as a noun because it puts the onus on me to be a “daily” disciple of Christ. I just need to “measure up” in my devotion and love for Him in what I say, how I live my life day-to-day, being His good girl, keeping His good rules, maintaining my Christian status, speaking good, not evil of others, and being an example of a follower of Christ.

It’s a whole other thing for “disciple” to become an action verb where there is the activity of discipleship directed toward others by obeying Jesus' command in Matthew 28:19 to "go and make disciples of all nations." It’s obvious in my “age bracket” (35 and up – LOL!) that we engage our own discipleship well, but we are aloof to those younger than us who need encouragement. We are more comfortable with being a disciple than making disciples.

I also contend that if we shift the use of “disciple” from a noun to a verb, we may get more comfortable with the activity of “making disciples” than the state of “being a disciple and literally following Jesus, being in intimate relationship with Him”. We could spend our lives investing in our relationships with others, but neglect the most important relationship of all, the one with Jesus Himself.

So back to my dilemma in using a word in a published book that isn’t in the dictionary. I hear God saying to me what He said in my post yesterday. “You are worried about too many things that matter so little. Say, ‘Oh well’, and embrace “discipled and discipling” as verbs and “disciple” as a noun. Just live out both senses of the word if you desire to do discipleship well. Take your personal discipleship with me seriously as well as the discipleship of others to help them connect to Me and the Body of Christ. You are my “disciple”. Now go into all the world and “disciple” others to follow me, too.” Dear Lord, I sure do hope the next question I have for you DOESN’T involve grammar! Amen."

Branded With Divine Ownership

Day 218 of Photo Inspirations -- Branded with Divine Ownership
Witnessing water baptisms is one of my favorite "life" experiences, so of course, this would be my photo inspiration for today.  There is nothing more inspiring and beautiful than witnessing people being baptized in water and openly declaring their total trust and reliance on the Lord Jesus Christ, as well as a commitment to live obediently to Him. We are baptized because our Lord commanded it and because we obey Him. "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19).  Once we've made the decision to follow Christ, baptism is one of the most meaningful "next steps" we can take.  It's a public celebration of our decision to follow Christ.

I love how, at LifeChurch.tv, there is celebration each time someone is baptized.  Not only does the congregation applaud and cheer, but the ushers and greeters stand in two lines (like a football team running onto a football field through the lines of cheerleaders and fans) iwelcoming and giving high-5s to those who have just been baptized.  It's such a beautiful time of celebrating their new lives.  Over 1700 people were baptized this weekend at LifeChurches (100 at the Jenks campus).   Now that's something to celebrate!

I remember my sweet husband's teaching on baptism.  He compared it to a  calf or other animals being branded.  That branding proved ownership of lost or stolen animals.  Being baptized declares that we have been purchased with a great price (Christ's death, burial and resurrection), and we are no longer our own.  We are branded as His.  What a great reminder of His love for us and being His.

My baptism changed my life forever, and it wasn't just a one-time action.  I recall my baptism on a daily basis to remind me that the "old" Donna died and my guilt, shame and mistakes were buried with Christ and I arose to a fresh new life in Him.  NOTHING can ever take that away from me -- and I'm branded for LIFE here and up THERE!  I am His and He is mine.
#baptism