The Rhythms of the Kingdom

Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him. He appointed twelve—designating them apostles—that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach and to have authority to drive out demons. (Matthew adds to heal the sick and all diseases) Mark 3:13–15

Jesus spent three years in an inward, outward and together process of growth and transformation with 12 regular people who he called to be his disciples and sent out as apostles: INWARD (“with him”); OUTWARD (“to be sent”); and, TOGETHER (“as a community”).

At the end of his time with them, as he prepared to leave them to return to his father Jesus commissioned those whom he discipled to replicate this process, to make more disciples. Matthew, one of the 12 recorded Jesus’ words in his gospel. Jesus told them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20)

What is a disciple? In short, a disciple is an apprentice: discipleship is apprenticeship. It is a person intentionally learning to be like someone who has mastered something, watching and then trying, sitting with, listening to, learning, and doing. In time, an apprentice grows to resemble his or her master. Apprenticeship, discipleship, is God’s plan for humanity. It is the process of learning to live as citizens of the Kingdom of God. It is the very process of following Jesus, every Christian is called to live as and to make disciples of Christ.

Author Dallas Willard correctly stresses that, “Grace is opposed to earning, it is not opposed to effort,” apprenticeship requires intentionality. Because Jesus is an infinite, our apprenticeship is never exhausted; our growth process never completed. Followers of Jesus must be continually discipling and being discipled, growing and helping others to grow into the INWARD, OUTWARD and TOGETHER rhythms of discipleship.

This rhythm of discipleship must begin with the INWARD journey. We cannot be sent if we cannot hear the voice of the one sending us. We do not have the power to withstand the challenges to our ability to love our community and our world if we are not grounded in our true identity as the beloved child of God. We do this through intentionally learning to hear his voice.

Are you intentional about setting aside time to hear his voice?
Do you even know how to go about this?
How might your life be different if you knew to your core that you were perfectly loved and accepted by God?

If you are involved in an INWARD small group, devote yourself to the process with expectancy. If you are not in a group, read through Invitation to Solitude and Silence and work through the exercises with someone else.

Share your thoughts with me and with others.

Peace, hope and love

Doug