While the process of making and growing disciples may be encouraged through various church programs, in the end the principles of discipleship, if they are to be effective, must be, as it were, in the very air we breathe. From the moment we enter the church and participate in its various opportunities for fellowship and sharing, discipleship is to be an attitude that is lived out in every aspect of life. The Empowered Church, then, is a place where discipleship becomes a way of life, and every member is a disciple.
Discipleship is sharing and caring. Although we live by faith and not by sight, we demonstrate our faith by loving one another. Jesus said, "By this shall all men know that ye are My disciples, if ye have love one to another" (John 13:35).
Though it is possible to demonstrate love for our fellowmen and not love God, it is impossible to love God and not demonstrate that love to each other. "If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?" (1 John 4:20).
Discipleship is learning to love God with all our hearts and manifesting this love to each other. Discipleship is, at its core, not a program, nor is it seasonal. It is a way of life.
The goal of the discipleship module is to strengthen those existing ministries of the church that are essential for effective discipleship. To accomplish this, each department and officer needs to have a clear understanding of their role in the important work of discipleship.