The 5-S Framework to Discipleship

For the past several weeks, I have sifted through the Sermon on the Mount. This passage of scripture is a goldmine of valuable lessons. Point after point is struck with a precision that only God himself could provide. There is no area of life left unturned, and these very statements paint a clear picture of how difficult a disciple’s life will be. If anyone told you that being a Christian would be easy, they were dreadfully mistaken. The Christian life is arduous. This is why Jesus asks us to count the cost, because it will cost us everything (Luke 14:25-35). Are you up to the challenge?

By this point, we have examined the beatitudes, which introduce the sermon as a poetic reflection on the blessings of life. From there, the disciples are proclaimed as the salt of the earth and the light of the world. To be firm in their faith and shine their light to others. This places a significant responsibility on disciples. However, far more is to come. The following two chapters proclaim 18 different directives given to the disciples. These are ways of life, a Christian ethic, an ideal character that is expected of followers of Jesus. There is bound to be one, if not many, that directly conflict with yourself. They sure did to me, and the more I read these, the more I recognize the need for His grace. For His help in becoming a better person, being more like Him. I know for sure that there is no possible way that I can do so out of my own effort. Read them for yourself, and you will face the same reality.

Out of these 18 proclamations, five distinct themes flow throughout: self-denial, surrender, service, sacrifice, and suffering. All of which contribute to the sanctification of the disciple. It is through these themes that I have built a framework for living as a Christian disciple in today's world: the 5-S Framework to Discipleship. Please note that mapping out such a process is futile, as is any attempt to capture God’s wholeness and holiness into human language. It falls terribly short. However, through reading the Sermon on the Mount and observing the process by which the apostles grew as disciples, one can clearly see that they underwent this process during their journey. For this reason, we, as disciples in the modern world, must undergo the same evolution.

The 5-S Framework Process

Sanctification - is it up to God or you?

Many have written on Sanctification, which encompasses several aspects. The idea is complex and deserves much attention. For a basic understanding, sanctification is the process that God guides the disciple toward becoming more like Christ. This is separate from salvation, which is one’s ticket to heaven, but encompasses the transformation of the heart, mind, and soul of a person following the example of the living God, Jesus. Sanctification requires both effort on the part of the person and God’s grace. Followers of Jesus must willfully undergo the transformation process, but also recognize that they themselves cannot fully do it alone. They need the grace of God and His Spirit within them to guide and teach them. However, you can have the greatest teacher in the world, but if you won’t listen or can’t take correction, then there will be no learning. Far too often, people abdicate their responsibility and give it all to God. People will say, “It’s alright that you sinned, God knows your heart.” Or “It’s all part of God’s plan” or worse, “we’re all sinners, it’s only important that you believe in Christ”. While these sentiments are meant as a reminder that we are not in ultimate control, or that God can and will forgive us of our sins.  They often overlook the active role of the disciple. Sanctification is not just a God thing but requires the person to forgo their sinful nature and follow His directive.

So, what are the steps to take? Well, it begins with submission.

Submission

Submitting often comes with a negative connotation. Films like Rocky instill within us a can-do, never-give-up attitude. We cheer as we watch Rocky beaten for a dozen rounds before mustering up the last bit of energy to defeat his opponent. From an early age, we are told narratives of this fight for our life spirit, and in a way, this is good. There will be difficulties in life, and it will take grit and perseverance to press on. Yet, what is not often portrayed is that true strength sprouts from a submission to God first. See the challenges you will face; the mission God has in your life will be too big for you to handle alone. To live out your discipleship journey, you must submit firmly to God. This means your entire life, everything, no part left out. Think about this. What a challenge right off the bat. I mean, it’s only the first step, and we are told to submit fully to God? Yep!

There was a young, wealthy man who came to Jesus and asked what he must do to go to heaven. He affirmed to Jesus that he had followed all of the commands. In other words, he lived the life of a disciple. Yet, he asked, “What do I still lack?”(Matthew 19:20, NIV) Jesus took it one step further. He recognized the young man’s attachment to his wealth and challenged him to sell everything he had and follow him. This young man was willing to follow all of the commandments and live out the challenging, righteous life. Yet, he was unwilling to part with his wealth to follow Jesus. In other words, he was reluctant to submit. We can spend our entire lives striving to live a good life, but if we have not fully submitted to God, then none of it matters. This is why the discipleship journey begins with submission. It starts with submitting to God, and then the rest builds on that foundation. Jesus is the cornerstone upon which the rest is built (Mark 12:10-11). All must be placed on Him before starting anything. If you are not willing to submit to God, you are not willing to be His disciple. His command is simple – submit, or turn away.

What's next?

Over the next several weeks, we will analyze the remaining steps in the process: service, sacrifice, suffering, and self-denial. Each of these builds on the others and moves a disciple further along the sanctification process. God has set aside a specific work for you and is working in your life to build you up into the type of person that will complete this work. If you haven't discovered your purpose, check out our previous article to explore it further.

Take a second, count the costs, and submit yourself to Christ!

For more content like this and to stay up to date on all that’s happening at the.SALT, sign up for our newsletter.

Stay Salty!