Stop Practicing Discipleship and Start Being Disciples (ePub)

"Most men lead lives of quiet desperation and go to the grave with the song still in them." This statement from Thoreau rings true to me. For most of my life I was expecting more but living less. Then one warm, summer day on my back porch I started reading Dallas Willard. I had been a Christian over fifteen years, but as I read his writing, the Gospel became clear and the trajectory of my life changed. I realized the kingdom is now, and the abundant life of John 10:10 is available if we are willing to give our lives to following Jesus.

Too many of us in the church today are like I was, expecting something from the Christian life, but being disappointed. It's not supposed to be like this. Intuitively we know it to be true. But we either misunderstand the life and message of Jesus, or we are unsure what to do with it. We either don't realize the primary invitation of Jesus is two simple words "Follow me," or we are at a loss for how to do it.

Being Disciples is an invitation to rethink how we follow Jesus, to stop practicing discipleship and start being disciples. It reframes the spiritual disciplines. No longer will they be a list of spiritual "to-dos." They are essential practices that cultivate a deeper connection with Jesus, so we can be transformed into the people he created us to be and live the abundant lives he created us to live. Being Disciples is a part of beingdisciples.com, a website of practical resources to help engage the spiritual disciplines as a disciple.