Discipleship: Living Christ in Everyday Life

Discipleship is not a matter of lifeless programs or mere classroom teaching; it is a living process that takes place in the real environments of our daily lives. The true curriculum for discipleship is life itself—life that is visible, touchable, and accessible, just as Christ offered Himself to be followed, not just His teachings. The test of meekness, for example, cannot be done in a safe, gentle environment but is proven in the rough and tumble of daily interactions. Discipleship must be rooted in the actual habitats where we spend our time—our workplaces, homes, and communities—because it is there that the life of Christ is released and made manifest.

The biblical pattern is clear: people follow the visible before they can follow the invisible. Paul and the apostles did not just preach; they lived among the people, and their lives became the assurance and conviction of the gospel. The Thessalonians became followers of Paul and his companions, and in so doing, they followed the Lord. This life-on-life model is the authentic way of making disciples, as it allows others to see Christ in us and to imitate what they see. The authority of spiritual leadership is not in eloquence or charisma but in a life that can be examined, touched, and followed.

A sound curriculum for discipleship has four essential components: a clear, measurable objective (Christ formed in you), relevant content (the person and life of Christ), effective methodology (life-on-life, practical demonstration), and ongoing evaluation (assessing Christlikeness in real situations). The core content is always Christ—His person, His character, His teachings, and His example. Preaching Christ is not about clever topics or academic brilliance; it is about presenting Him in all wisdom, in a way that is accessible and transformative. The maturity we seek is not sophistication but simplicity: Christ, no more, no less.

The challenge is to return to this biblical curriculum, to make our lives accessible and transparent, so that others can see and follow Christ in us. We must avoid peripheral issues and focus on the centrality of Christ and Him crucified. The goal is not to produce religious professionals but men and women who carry Christ into every sphere of life, so that when people encounter us, they encounter Jesus. This is the fire that can ignite true transformation in the church and the world.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Discipleship Flourishes in Real Life, Not in Programs True discipleship cannot be confined to church buildings or structured programs; it must be lived out in the ordinary, sometimes messy, environments of daily life. It is in these real-life situations that the character of Christ—such as meekness, patience, and love—is truly tested and revealed. The curriculum for discipleship is not abstract theory but the living, breathing example of Christ in us, accessible to those around us. [02:18]
• 2. Life-on-Life Example is the Foundation of Spiritual Authority People cannot follow an invisible Christ unless they first see Him in the lives of visible, followable believers. Paul’s boldness in saying, “Follow me as I follow Christ,” is not arrogance but authentic spiritual leadership. The authority to disciple comes from a life that is transparent, consistent, and accessible, so that others can see, touch, and imitate Christ in us. [14:15]
• 3. The Core Curriculum is Christ Himself—No More, No Less The objective of all discipleship is “Christ in you, the hope of glory.” The content is not a collection of topics or doctrines, but the person of Christ—His life, His teachings, His character. Preaching Christ is inexhaustible and always relevant; it is not about cleverness or novelty, but about faithfully presenting Him in all wisdom, so that others may be formed into His likeness. [61:42]
• 4. Evaluation of Discipleship is Measured by Christlikeness A true curriculum for discipleship must be evaluatable: the evidence is seen in transformed lives. The goal is not external success or religious activity, but the formation of Christ’s character in real people, in real situations. Continuous assessment happens as we observe whether Christ is being formed in us and in those we disciple, not just in what we profess but in how we live. [49:09]
• 5. Simplicity and Accessibility are Marks of Mature Discipleship Maturity in Christ is not about complexity or religious sophistication, but about becoming basic—Christ, no more, no less. The more we follow Christ, the simpler and more accessible our lives and ministries should become. We must avoid mystifying the faith or making it inaccessible; instead, we are called to make Christ plain and touchable, so that others can encounter Him through us.
  
  ** [78:24]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [02:18] - Discipleship in Real Life Environments
• [05:39] - Christ Offered Himself, Not Just Teachings
• [07:16] - The Gospel: More Than Words
• [13:22] - Following the Visible to Follow the Invisible
• [15:45] - The Power of Example in Discipleship
• [21:07] - The Spark That Ignites Transformation
• [24:50] - Spiritual Authority Rooted in Life
• [29:11] - Authenticity vs. Hypocrisy in Leadership
• [32:56] - The Four Components of a Discipleship Curriculum
• [37:17] - Core Courses vs. Electives in the Kingdom
• [44:32] - The Objective: Christ in You
• [49:09] - Evaluating Discipleship by Results
• [58:05] - Christ in Every Sphere of Life
• [61:42] - Christ as the Content of Discipleship
• [78:24] - Simplicity and Accessibility in Ministry
• [85:25] - Prayer and Commitment to Christlikeness

Bible Reading

1 Thessalonians 1:5-8 (ESV) — > For our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything.

Colossians 1:27-29 (ESV) — > To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.

Matthew 11:28-29 (ESV) — > Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Observation Questions

1. According to 1 Thessalonians 1:5-8, what made the gospel message convincing to the Thessalonians? What role did the lives of Paul and his companions play in this? ([07:16])
2. In Colossians 1:27-29, what is the “mystery” that Paul says is now revealed, and what is the goal of his teaching? ([58:05])
3. In Matthew 11:28-29, what does Jesus invite people to do, and what does He offer as the result?
4. The sermon says, “People cannot follow an invisible Christ unless they first see Him in the lives of visible, followable believers.” What examples from the Bible or the sermon illustrate this principle? ([14:15])

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think Paul emphasizes that the Thessalonians became “imitators of us and of the Lord” rather than just “imitators of the Lord”? What does this say about the process of discipleship? ([13:22])
2. The sermon argues that the “curriculum” for discipleship is not a set of doctrines or programs, but life itself—especially life that is visible and accessible. How does this challenge or affirm your previous understanding of discipleship? ([05:39])
3. According to Colossians 1:27-29, the goal is to present everyone “mature in Christ.” How does the sermon define maturity, and how is this different from religious sophistication or complexity? ([01:18:24])
4. The sermon says, “The authority to disciple comes from a life that is transparent, consistent, and accessible.” What are some practical implications of this for spiritual leaders and ordinary believers? ([24:50])

Application Questions

1. The sermon says, “True discipleship cannot be confined to church buildings or structured programs; it must be lived out in the ordinary, sometimes messy, environments of daily life.” Where do you spend most of your time during the week, and what would it look like to intentionally live out Christ’s life in that environment? ([02:18])
2. Paul was able to say, “Follow me as I follow Christ.” If someone were to follow your example in daily life, what aspects of Christ would they see? Are there areas you would want to change to better reflect Him? ([14:15])
3. The sermon challenges us to make our lives “accessible and transparent, so that others can see and follow Christ in us.” What are some barriers that keep you from being open and accessible to others? How can you take a step toward greater transparency this week? ([27:26])
4. The “core curriculum” of discipleship is Christ Himself—His person, His character, His teachings, and His example. What is one specific aspect of Christ’s character (e.g., meekness, patience, love) that you want to focus on imitating this month? How will you practice this in a real-life situation? ([05:39])
5. The sermon says, “The maturity we seek is not sophistication but simplicity: Christ, no more, no less.” In what ways have you complicated your faith or made it less accessible to others? How can you simplify your approach to following Jesus and sharing Him with others? ([01:18:24])
6. The sermon emphasizes ongoing evaluation: “Continuous assessment happens as we observe whether Christ is being formed in us and in those we disciple, not just in what we profess but in how we live.” How can you regularly assess your own growth in Christlikeness? Who could you invite to give you honest feedback? ([49:09])
7. The goal is to “produce men and women who carry Christ into every sphere of life, so that when people encounter us, they encounter Jesus.” Think of one relationship or setting where you want to be more intentional about representing Christ. What is one concrete step you can take this week? ([58:05])