How do you disciple yourself when there's nobody to disciple you?
Read the Bible!
It’s almost as simple as that. That’s what I did (still do). That’s what early disciples of Jesus did. That’s what most people do.
When I gave my life to Jesus, I was in a country where you wouldn’t have access to the Bible freely and easily. It wasn’t something you’d find in every hotel room, or in every school or ordinary place like you do here in the West. In fact, in my experience, I’d never read the Bible or seen one until I came to the UK and joined a church here. I remember someone gave me a copy of the Bible, and it felt so precious and priceless as if someone had given me the best gift ever. I also still remember vividly the moment I first attended a church in the UK in 2016, I noticed many people who were often reciting Bible verses and there I was never having seen a Bible. The first thing I noticed was that everyone knew the Bible through and through and word for word. I started doubting my faith and questioned if my faith was even real if I’d never read the Bible. “Am I even a Christian if I don’t fully know what Jesus says about me, about my identity, about my life, about the world and all the issues around me?” I even started doubting God because I felt I didn’t even know God and for a moment, the loss of home, friendship, family, a life and a future felt stronger as the cost of following Jesus.
My second response was to do something about it. I memorised Scriptures - or at least that’s what I thought I should do because of my Islamic background, where in order for someone to make a good muslim, they’d memorise the Quran. So, I did. I started reading from the Gospel of Matthew and memorised the entire Gospel verse by verse. It’s not surprising that when I got to the end of Matthew’s Gospel in chapter 28, I was compelled by the last few verses of the chapter to “go and make disciples of all nations, immersing them into the reality of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything Jesus has commanded us.”
I obeyed and after a few times of sharing my faith with my neighbours (who happened to be students), my heart started breaking for a generation of students who were (and are) spiritually hungry and open, yet they don’t know that Jesus and church family is one invite away. You could say that this moment was my ignition moment - a moment that I had a heart conviction to help to see a generation of students find their freedom, way, truth, and life in Jesus.
In short, I learnt how to be a disciple of Jesus first by reading the Bible and applying the word of God in my life and helping immerse a generation of students into the reality of God.
If you are someone who has just become a Christian, the best place to learn about Jesus is the source that is the Bible. Simply read the Bible, ask yourself three simple questions: in light of reading this, what do I learn about God and his characteristics? What do I learn about people? What can I do differently?
If you are someone who’s been a Christian for a while or your entire life and want to continue strengthening and growing in your discipleship, the best place to start is also the Bible; but perhaps you may want to find different, creative ways to engage with the Bible.
In my experience, as you read the Bible, your heart will start changing. The word of God is challenging, costly, yet life-changing and transforming. The Holy Spirit will be your teacher and guide, walking with you through every verse, every chapter, every book and every step of the way as you learn to listen, to meditate, to pray and to apply the word of God in your life. Jesus said at the end of Matthew 28 to “remember that he will be with you always, yes, even until the end of the age.”
If you are up for this challenge, dare to give it a go and see what Jesus will do in and through you! Take responsibility for your own discipleship and invest in your own spiritual walk.
