WHEN YOU CROSS CULTURES - World Evangelical Alliance

70 WHEN YOU CROSS CULTURES
obedience, a disciple will be enabled to fulfil his responsibilities to family and
to love his neighbour.
3. A disciple is fruitful in the work of Christ. Fruitfulness is seen in the character
of the disciple. Disciples love each other with the love of Christ. The world will
be influenced by such love (John 13:34, 35). The over flow of a disciple’s life of
abiding in Christ makes him a fruitful witness (John 15:8, 16).
These are the essential marks. How are they developed and built into
the life of a believer?
The following qualities and aspects are basic to discipling and
discipleship training.
1 The Lordship of Christ
Jesus Christ must be truly Lord of the believer’s life. The major areas of
life include - one’s total personality, one’s relationships, one’s possessions and
one's plans. It will affect one’s perspective to all of life. Christ’s Lordship will
influence a person’s choices, career, marriage and family, values, priorities and
direction in life. Surrender to Christ’s Lordship may take a process of time or at
a special moment.
A conference was held in the hills of Malaysia, attended by university
students, young graduates and professionals. The issue of Christ’s Lordship
and the major areas of life were discussed in depth over several days. Some
knew that the choices they would make would affect the direction of their lives
and the quality of their discipleship. Issues relating to career and marriage were
primary to a number of participants.
The years have gone by. Many look back to the commitments they made
at the conference as the turning point in their lives. They have maintained their
commitment and are in fruitful Christian service as lay leaders or missionaries,
godly husbands and wives with Christ-centred families.
2 The Word of God
The disciple lives under the authority of Christ and His Word. The
authority and sufficiency of the Scriptures must remain a deep conviction.
In his initial years as a growing Christian, a believer should learn to have
a regular and systematic intake of God’s Word. He learns to read and enjoy the
Bible. He learns to study the Bible personally and with others in a fellowship
group, preferably with the help of a discipler or Bible Study leader. Progressively
he learns how to deepen in the Scriptures - studying and meditating,
memorising passages and applying them to life’s situations.