Is Follow-ship Even a Word?

Beba SchlottmannOther Writings, Uncategorized 2 Comments


Discipleship is our bread and butter. My husband and I teach on this subject constantly, because we believe that we are called to go beyond follow-ship to become true disciples (if that’s even a word).  The result of successful discipleship is that we, then make disciples. As simple as it sounds, that is our call, and what we have devoted our lives to in the many years we have been following and serving Jesus Christ.  Relevant magazine recently posted an article, in which they pretty much share a similar sentiment on discipleship.  As a matter of fact, when I read the article, I chuckled at the similarities of their message and our own Discipleship Program with Abante International.  One of our Discipleship Principles is called, Making Disciples.  Brian also has a popular sermon entitled, Disciples vs. Followers. So, the message is permeated throughout everything we say and do.  I find that it truly is a thing of beauty when the blinders come off, and people are able to see and understand the true nature of God’s desire for reaching others through fallow-ship and later discipleship.

For Brian and myself, giving up everything to follow Christ was an alien thought, and something we would never even have considered before making the shift from being followers to becoming true disciples of christ.  Even today, many of our Christian friends who mean well, try to talk us into going back to living comfortable lives, specially given my current health situation; “In case things don’t work out…”  I hear it, and I take everything with a grain of salt.  Here’s my dilemma with that though; I didn’t just give up my home, car, dog, job, and comfortable life.  I gave up my life completely to God.  I gave up any rights I had to anything, and became an open canvas so that he could write my story differently from the way I was writing it. Honestly, I was not doing such a great job at it.
I wanted more meaning out of life-not more stuff…

Perhaps that does not make sense to many, but perhaps it does. I became tired of going through the motions, and doing the ministry thing that everyone else was doing.  I envied the life I saw modeled in the New Testament by Jesus’ disciples.  I wanted more meaning out of life-not more stuff. Don’t misunderstand me. I commend those who have in abundance.  If that is where you sense God is taking you, go for it with all your might.  My calling to become a true disciple of Christ has taken me on a journey of self discovery, and desperate trust in him like I have never experienced before.  For some reason I cannot explain, it required I gave up stuff.  I am not going to pretend and say that I love everything about my current lifestyle, however, I love God with all my heart.  I know for a fact that his desire for me is not to cause me harm, or to send me down a path of destruction.  He loves me.  Deeply.  I have chosen the hard road, because I get him instead of some of him.

”Jesus is a part of our lives when He should be our life. He is life. Following Him requires all our life. The disciples ate, drank, sweat and slept ministry from when Jesus called them to the day they died. Jesus wasn’t a part of their lives. He was their life.” -Relevant Magazine

I decided to share the link to the article I read because I feel it is relevant to the life Brian and I have chosen, and because I am sure there are some of you feeling the nudge to go a different route; to start something new, or to challenge yourself in areas you never have before.  What if God is calling you to go beyond the status quo; to view His call as an adventure worth risking everything for.  Do you sense the magnitude of such a challenge? Can you see that others are beginning to stretch their boundaries, and go beyond the normal? Perhaps for some of you, it is time to become more passionate about the things he is passionate about; to listen more and speak less; to live on less, or give more…I think once you get through the busyness, or dare I say, messiness of your life, you see the beautiful gospel as it is meant to be shared. I think, only then, you will get it.  Trust me, it will make perfect sense.

No regrets.

Comments 2

  1. Beba really good writing. I am a witness of the love you and Brian have for God and his lost sheep. As I always say, continue writing. Thanks, te amo, Vivi

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