Discipleship: The Lifelong Adventure of Following Jesus
When Jesus said, “Come, follow me” (Matthew 4:19), He wasn’t calling people to a religion or a rulebook — He was inviting them into a relationship and a journey.
Discipleship simply means learning to follow Jesus — becoming more like Him in heart, attitude and action. It’s about learning His way of living and loving in a world that often pulls in the opposite direction.
At Mosaic Church Cheltenham, we believe discipleship is not an optional extra for keen Christians — it’s the heart of what it means to know God. Jesus’ invitation wasn’t “believe these ideas about me,” but “follow me.”
What Discipleship Really Is
To be a disciple is to walk closely with Jesus, learning from His words, His example and His Spirit (John 14:26). The Bible describes discipleship as being transformed into the likeness of Christ (2 Corinthians 3:18) — it’s the process of being changed from the inside out.
This isn’t about striving to be perfect, but about letting God’s Spirit do His work in us. Step by step, decision by decision, the Holy Spirit reshapes us so that we begin to think, speak and live more like Jesus.
It’s slow work, sometimes messy, but deeply beautiful.
Why It Matters
Jesus’ final words to His followers were clear:
“Go and make disciples of all nations... teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” — Matthew 28:19–20
The goal wasn’t just converts or church members, but disciples — people who carry God’s love and likeness into every part of life.
A disciple is someone who:
Reflects God’s family likeness (Ephesians 5:1–2).
Lives by the power of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22–25).
Serves others as Jesus did (Mark 10:45).
Shares their faith naturally with others (2 Corinthians 5:20).
Following Jesus means learning to rely less on ourselves and more on Him — trusting His ways even when they cut across our culture’s values.
Six Ways We Grow as Disciples
Across our Salt & Light family of churches, we’ve found it helpful to think about discipleship in six broad areas — places where God often does His shaping work:
Character – Becoming more like Christ in our attitudes and integrity (Philippians 2:5).
Service – Learning to give rather than take, and using our gifts to bless others (1 Peter 4:10).
Gifting – Discovering how God has uniquely designed us for His purposes (Romans 12:6).
The Supernatural – Learning to walk in faith and depend on the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8).
Spiritual Warfare – Standing firm in truth and prayer (Ephesians 6:10–18).
Mission – Joining God’s heart for the world around us (John 20:21).
Real discipleship touches every part of who we are — not just our “spiritual life,” but our relationships, work, priorities, and purpose.
Following Jesus Together
At Mosaic, we believe discipleship happens best in community. None of us were meant to follow Jesus alone.
We grow when we’re honest with one another, when we pray for each other, and when we walk through life together — the highs, the questions, the ordinary moments.
“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” — Proverbs 27:17
That’s why small groups, mentoring relationships, and serving together are at the core of what we do. Each Sunday we gather to worship and learn, but real growth often happens midweek — in homes, coffee shops, or serving on a team together.
Whether you’ve been following Jesus for decades or you’re still figuring out what you believe, there’s always another step forward.
How to Take Your Next Step
If you’re just beginning your journey, you might want to Explore Faith — it’s a space to ask honest questions about God, purpose and life, with things like the Alpha course and conversation-based evenings.
If you’re already part of Mosaic, check out Next Steps to discover ways to grow deeper — joining a group, serving in a team, or preparing for baptism.
And if you’re somewhere in between, don’t worry. Discipleship is a journey, not a sprint. What matters most is that you’re walking in the right direction — closer to Jesus.
A Daily Choice
Every day brings fresh opportunities to follow Jesus — to love when it’s hard, to trust when it’s uncertain, to serve when no one’s looking.
“Whoever claims to live in Him must live as Jesus did.” — 1 John 2:6
That’s what discipleship looks like in real life — a thousand small decisions to keep saying “yes” to Him.
And the more we walk with Jesus, the more we discover the truth of His words: “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” — John 10:10
We’d Love to Walk With You
If you’d like to talk with someone about growing as a disciple or joining a Mosaic group, we’d love to help.
📩 Email: hello@mosaiccheltenham.org
📍 Join us any Sunday at Bettridge School, Warden Road, Cheltenham
