You and I were born into a world designed for change. Acorns become oak trees. Children grow into adults. Seasons shift and give way to the next. Change isn’t an interruption of God’s design—it’s evidence of it.
If creation itself was built to change, could it be that our discipleship was meant to change, too? What if our ability to live out the Great Commission—to “go and make disciples”—could grow, mature, and transform as we walk with Jesus?
A pastor once illustrated this truth through the life of a caterpillar. Imagine saying to that fuzzy little worm, “You can’t imagine it now, but one day you’ll have wings and soar.” To a caterpillar, that promise would seem impossible. Yet change is built into its very being. The same is true for us. Many believers find the call to make disciples intimidating or out of reach. But by God’s grace, transformation is possible.
Our Wesleyan-Holiness theology gives us hope for that kind of change. We believe God not only forgives sin but frees us from its grip. We are not bound to repeat the same patterns forever. What God begins in a moment of salvation, God continues through a lifetime of grace. Day by day, we are being transformed into Christlikeness by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Discipleship is not a program or emphasis—it’s the very heart of the church. A healthy heart sustains a healthy body. Likewise, healthy discipleship fuels a vibrant, mission-shaped church. Without it, the church risks losing its vitality and purpose.
So what is discipleship, really? Scripture shows that Jesus’ ministry was framed by two great commands: “Follow me” (Matthew 4:19) and “Go and make disciples” (Matthew 28:19). From beginning to end, Jesus invited people into relationship with him and called them to extend that invitation to others.
A clear way to describe discipleship is this:
Discipleship is following Jesus and making disciples, including others in our journey of grace.
Following Jesus ultimately leads us toward holiness of heart. The more closely we walk with him, the more we sense the Spirit’s transforming power within us. Love becomes the motive behind every action. And that love propels us outward into our neighborhoods, workplaces, and communities just as it sent the believers from Pentecost into the streets.
Discipleship, then, is not a solo endeavor. When Jesus called his followers to make disciples, he spoke to them as a group. We grow best in community, where encouragement, accountability, and shared mission sustain us along the way.
We live in a world that is changing fast, but God’s design for change runs even deeper. Through the grace of Christ and the power of the Spirit, we can change, too. We can grow from hesitation to confidence, from isolation to connection, from simply believing to fully becoming.
We were made for transformation. We were made to follow Jesus—and to bring others along on the journey of grace.
Global NDI Director,
Sam Barber
