Christianity – As Simple as A.B.C

B = Belonging to a discipleship group

Last week Graeme began this new series reflecting on A, Admission to the Kingdom. He told us how simple it is to enter, by faith in Jesus. What he said reminded me of the importance of the Kingdom of God in the message of Jesus. The Kingdom is all Jesus talked about. It was what all those parables were about and what all those healings were illustrating.

Jesus called disciples to learn about the Kingdom, and then to go out to share the Good News of the Kingdom by words and deeds. Jesus called each of them as individuals, to be part of a group of disciples. He finally told them to call disciples and continue the process he began. They, and we, were called to be disciples, that is students or apprentices. The message is the Good News of the Kingdom of God and the method is Following Jesus. This central teaching and practice is summarised by Love; to love God completely and to love everyone else as we love ourselves.

So Christians naturally form into communities for mutual support, and then into smaller groups for more intimate learning and practice; discipleship groups. This is how it was in Jesus day. There was a larger group of disciples (120) but Jesus chose 12 to be his discipleship group. They were then expected to form discipleship groups themselves, in an ever expanding movement of learning and practice. None of them would ever become the master. That remains Jesus’ place.

Our reading from John 20 is about Jesus’ disciples supporting one another after Jesus’ death. They were hiding together. Jesus reassured them by appearing to them. Unfortunately Thomas was not there and he had serious doubts about Jesus’ resurrection. He effectively rejected the group. He didn’t believe them. Rather than walking out or being driven out, the group stuck together and it became a learning experience, not just for Thomas, but for all of them.

Jesus appeared again, Thomas was convinced, and Jesus offered a special blessing for us in the future, who do believe without seeing. The question is, are you a disciple of Jesus or are you just a member of the church. A disciple is someone who is learning and growing into the life of the Kingdom of God. That is about, both a personal and a global vision. Both are about doing the will of God; growing into the ethic of love. Personally it is about developing as a person of “God quality” love. Globally it is promoting a world where “God quality” love is experienced.

Jesus knew we could not do this on our own. We would need his presence, so he continues with us in Spirit. He also knew we would need each other, so he has called us into a discipling community. For many, belonging in the church has become simply a matter of social cohesion and community well-being. Certainly people who “belong” to a community group benefit on every happiness survey, experience better health, longer life and more stable relationships. Jesus did not just call us to be a feel good community, he called us to be disciples.

Belonging in this context means real participation in his mission of love. This is what our decision to follow Jesus is all about. To be a disciple means learning and teaching. Which group is your discipleship group? What is its particular mission of love? Its as simple as A.B.C.. A is simply about choosing admission to God’s Kingdom by following Jesus and B is simply about belonging to his community of love.