If you and I sat down for coffee, we would probably have two different definitions of discipleship. We could point to a variety of verses that lay out complementary visions of what discipleship looks like practically and philosophically. But we could agree on these two things:
- Discipleship requires the ability to be present. Put another way, discipleship is local.
- Discipleship is missional. (Now, whether you think discipleship starts before or after conversion, we can all agree that disciples grow into missionaries, or as Paul put it, “ambassadors for Christ” [2 Cor 5:18–21].)