The big game is just days away. I’m a Steelers fan, so I’m not overly interested, but I’m always fascinated by athletes performing at the most elite level of sport. For that reason, and because I’ll watch the game with a group of friends, I’ll tune in.

What I’m writing about this week is Christian discipleship. What does the Super Bowl and discipleship have in common? Hmmmm. Not much. But keep reading and I’ll try to make it work.

What is Christian discipleship? The answer to that question should be important to every church and every Christian. According to the Great Commission given by Jesus in Matthew 28, the church is to make disciples. Since the making of disciples is the primary purpose of the church, we need to be able to answer the discipleship question, so let’s take a run at it:

First, discipleship must be transformational. Romans 12:1-2 declares that we are to be transformed by the renewing of our mind. The original Greek term for transformed is metamorphoomai, the same word from which we derive metamorphosis—a complete change in physical form, structure or substance. Picture a caterpillar turning into a butterfly — that’s the level of transformation we should be aiming at in discipleship.

Second, it must be missional. See Ephesians 4:14-16. The reason God transforms us is so we can reach our full potential as Christ’s ambassadors in the ministry of reconciliation. See II Corinthians 5:11-21. If God didn’t need you to serve in His mission, then He would just take you home to heaven. The reason He keeps you here on earth is because He needs you to serve — if you’re breathin’, there’s a reason. There are no bystanders in the Body of Christ. We all have a mission — and discipleship must prepare you to serve in that mission.

So, discipleship must be transformational and missional. If it is not, then the effort will fall short — and that usually results in hypocritical legalism and empty religiosity. There’s more to say on that topic, but it will need to wait for another article.
Academic and Relational

Jesus demonstrated how to make disciples. In doing so, he revealed two major components that must be included in the discipleship process. The first is academic. This is the learning side of discipleship. Most of us understand the need to learn, so I’ll move right on to the relational component.

The relational side of discipleship sometimes gets overlooked. We too often turn discipleship into a strictly academic pursuit. Read a book, take a class, pass at test — presto, you’re a disciple. Don’t get me wrong, learning is important, but Jesus also modeled discipleship that was deeply relational.

Jesus utilized three different levels of relating. I refer to it as relational depth. Each level provides unique forms of transformational grace that are not available at the other levels. For that reason, we must include all three levels in our discipleship processes. Here’s a quick description of each:
The Crowd Level

Jesus used the crowd level during the sermon on the mount (see Matthew 5). The crowd setting can be powerfully inspiring — and it’s why many Christians attend worship services and concerts. For example, you can watch the Super Bowl in your living room, but nothing could ever compare with sitting in Hard Rock Stadium in Miami and watching it live with 65,000 other fans. The crowd level makes you realize that you are a part of something bigger than yourself — and that is transformational.

The crowd setting is not hard to identify. Anytime you are participating in an event where everyone is facing a stage or platform, it’s likely a crowd setting. Most church worship services
would fit into this description and it’s why pastors encourage believers to attend worship services. There is grace in the crowd setting, and we want you to tap into it regularly.

The Group Level

Jesus engaged the group level with His twelve disciples. In this setting, the disciples had access to Jesus that went far deeper than the crowd. Conversations were much more intimate. The disciples often used this time to ask clarifying questions — and Jesus used it to teach them significant Kingdom principles. Sitting with the crowd at Hard Rock stadium would be exciting, but just imagine being invited to sit in Clark Hunt’s private family luxury suite. Hanging out with the owner of the Chiefs and his closest family and friends would give you a whole different understanding of what’s at stake in a Super Bowl. It would provide a much deeper experience. I doubt that you would ever look at the super bowl the same way again. That’s the power of group level grace.

The Core Level

Jesus entered into the core level with his three special friends — Peter, James and John. These men were taken into very intimate settings where Jesus fully revealed His nature. Jesus took His core group up into the mountains where He was gloriously transfigured before their eyes — revealing His deity. On another occasion, Jesus took this same group into the Garden of Gethsemane where He pleaded with God to relieve Him of the suffering and shame of the crucifixion – revealing Jesus’ humanity. Picture being invited to stand next to Kansas City head coach Andy Reid and quarterback Patrick Mahomes during the big game. Can you imagine the intensity of the conversations you would hear? Again, that depth of experience would give you a whole different understanding of the super bowl. That’s the power of core level grace.

The question is this: Are you tapping into the transformational graces available at all three levels of relational depth? If not, you are missing out. God has more for you. Go deeper.
And go Chiefs and 49ers! Enjoy the game.