For the past two years, I’ve spent time with some of the young people of our church who are thinking about baptism and church membership. It’s a big decision and I want them to understand what it means to make their confession of faith and be baptized into a life of following Jesus.
Since I only have a limited time to do this, it has forced me to think very carefully about what’s essential. In other words, what does it mean to be a little “d” disciple of Jesus – one who confesses Jesus as savior and follows where he leads? And, what does it mean to be a big “D” Disciple of Christ – a member of the movement that began with Alexander Campbell and Barton Stone and gave birth to the church of which we are now a part?
In sharing the core message of discipleship with our kids, I’ve become acutely aware of the fact that the rest of us need to be reminded of these foundational teachings, as well. That realization led me to begin work on a Lenten study for the whole church called Disciple 101.
You can read more about our upcoming Lenten study on the front cover!