Join the Family of Discipleship

Jesus knew the importance of living in community. He was born into a family, with parents and siblings. And when he launched into ministry, he called people to be his followers, his disciples, to be with him, to support him and, ultimately, to fulfill his purposes. It was within this community of disciples that Jesus found both the best and the worst of times. But despite knowing that Peter would deny him and Judas betray him, he still underlined the importance of living and working in the context of community.

When we respond to Jesus’ call to follow him, to be his disciples, we also commit to belonging to his family. Jesus himself referred to his disciples as his family (Mark 3:31-35) and friends (John 13:13-15). When we respond to God’s call to become his children (John 1:12), we also enter into a relationship with other followers of Jesus Christ.

Christmas time was a reminder to me that it takes some time and effort to connect with my family. We had to make arrangements, appointments and come to some agreement about where we would meet and what we would do for Christmas. It may sound like a great effort but now that I’ve been with my family, I treasure the memories of love, laughter and fellowship.

It’s no different in our discipleship. We all need the fellowship of believers, fellow-disciples, to help us grow in our relationship with Christ. Although it takes some effort to reach out to others, the joy and fulfillment it brings cannot compare with a life lived in isolation.

Rosebank Union Church provides me with the family in Christ that I need in order to become what God has called me to be. In a church the size of ours, there are many different ways in which we connect with others. The worship services on Sundays, as important as they are, do not provide enough opportunity to connect deeply with our Christian family. Therefore, we need to look for additional ways of making sure that we belong. The small groups (and other groups, such as Bible studies and ministry groups) provide us with the means to ensure that every member and adherent of RUC is connected to some other Christian friends and family. 

Rosebank Union’s vision is to see person in our church involved in a significant discipleship relationship!

Why is community so important to a life of discipleship?

There are several dynamics within the small group or other groups at RUC that provide us with the opportunity to be good disciples of Jesus Christ:

• A place to grow. Discipleship is about growing closer to the Lord Jesus Christ. My family in Christ stimulates this growth by praying for me, giving me opportunity to raise my questions and helping me to deal with the difficult issues in life.
• A place to serve. True discipleship results in a desire to give my time and resources back to God in gratefulness for all he has done for me. In the small group and the larger church I find opportunity to serve others with the gifts that God has entrusted to me.
• A place to be held accountable. Disciples of Jesus need encouragement, direction and input. Members of my small group (my Christian family) ask the hard questions about my relationship with God, which helps me to grow closer to God, to live life for God and to deal with sin in my life.
• A place to connect with others. Discipleship means belonging to Jesus Christ and his wider family. My small group members remind me that I have a family that cares for me, where I can receive help and where I can help others.
• A place to be encouraged to reach out to those outside the family. Jesus called us to make disciples (Matthew 28:18-20). In our small group we encourage one another to live for Christ in our own circle of influence. The small group also provides me with a relaxed, informal place where I can invite an unsaved friend, colleague or family member to experience the warmth and love of Jesus.
• A place where I can be myself. Discipleship is not always easy, but my small group understands that I need them to listen to me, to love and accept me as I am, to support me when I am weak.

As a disciple of Jesus Christ, YOU NEED to belong to a Gospel-centred community where you can build significant relationships and grow in Christ together. Small groups (or other similar groups) in the church provide one such opportunity.

So, GET PLUGGED IN!