The Psychology of Discipleship 101: Identity Matters
Identity matters. Our personal identity can shape how we view ourselves, what others think of us, and our place in the world. “Christian” is the most universally recognized identity of someone following Jesus of Nazareth. However, it was a name given by those outside the movement, not a name from Jesus himself. During his ministry, Jesus almost always refers to a follower as a “disciple.” This distinction of “Christian” vs. “disciple” might seem like semantics, but many are convinced it goes deeper. Without embracing our identity as a disciple, I don’t think we are equipped to fight what philosopher Dallas Willard calls “the great enemy of spiritual life in our day” — hurry.
“Hurry” or “busy-ness” can prevent us from slowing down to notice our spiritual lives. It can also cause us to lose the patience we need with God, ourselves, and our neighbors. Many of us wish we could hurry up and become “a good Christian,” not realizing the grace found in the identity of a “disciple of Jesus” or “lifelong learner of Jesus’ ways.” God calls us to progress, not perfection. In our social media world that hurries to filter out the negativity, Jesus calls us to focus on authentic self-discipline and love — not a hurry to “look the part.” In our divisive culture where many religious and secular leaders seem hurried to determine who is “in” and “out,” Jesus invites us all to sit at His ever-growing table of misfits from all nations. In sum, the life of a disciple is one of patient focus, following, and family-building — not the hurry to judgment, performance, and division. The world and the church needs us to slow down to make more disciples, not more Christians.
-Dr. Chris Barclay
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