Disciple Leadership

                                        November 10, 2022

 

" A disciple of Christ is one who is following and learning to be like Christ—learning to think, to feel, and to act as He does. He or she is striving to gain “. . . the mind of Christ” (1 Corinthians 2:16). Becoming a true disciple of the Savior and following His ways are the most demanding learning objectives we can ever strive to achieve. No other discipline compares with His curriculum in either requirements or rewards. Discipleship demands the total transformation of a person by putting off the natural man and becoming a saint through the Atonement of Christ the Lord (see Mosiah 3:19). A disciple is one who loves the Lord and serves Him with all of his or her heart, might, mind, and strength."

                                                                                                                                    Elder David A. Bednar 

                                                                                                                                        Brigham Young University–Idaho Devotional

                                                                                                                                                                                    August 31, 2004


        This week our lesson was focused around being a Disciple of Christ in ALL things.  I read a talk last Sunday to my youth and it said: "let us not just be Sunday Christians".  We pondered together what characteristics a "Sunday Christian" might obtain.  In summation our definition is someone who has good intentions, does their very best to attend all of their Sunday meetings, including sacrament, believes in the Lord and worships him, makes covenants, and many other great qualities.  Now, notice I said "make covenants" but I didn't say keep them.  That is because the difference between an "everyday" vs. "Sunday" Christian is the ability to become a disciple of Christ and living his/her life accordingly, which means putting off the natural man.  Disciple Leadership is a lifestyle.  In other words, when you see Brother Bob, for instance, in the hospital, at home, the golf course, grocery store, or at church, you get the same Brother Bob every time, because he has devoted his life to Christ he will never waiver from truth, nor will he compromise his faith, values, morals, or beliefs to satisfy the natural man.  Rather, Bob live a life of meaning, purpose, and stays focused on the eternal goal of redemption and everlasting life.  

        Ultimately, becoming a disciple of Christ does not make any of us perfect, but it gives us the will to push forward through trials, treat others with respect and love, show gratitude, be humble, and most importantly the ability to see our brothers' and sisters' needs and help them even when we are facing our own trials.  Discipleship Leadership forces us to reach outward rather than inward.  We become self less instead of selfish and we strive to be the best rather than just good or great.  We desire to change the world for the better and we seek ways to be that change!  

        This week's lesson was very inspiring, but it also caused me to reflect on some changes I need to make in myself in order to become more like my Heavenly Father and his son Jesus Christ!

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