Living Discipleship by Dr. Elise Brown
Jan 13, 2026
Discipleship takes many forms and is central to the life of a Christian. Following Jesus is a lived reality, an inner commitment expressed outwardly through words and actions – what we say, but more importantly, what we do.
If we consider people from the scripture who exhibited great faith, we think of Abraham and Sarah, Moses, Aaron and Miriam, and the writers of the book of Isaiah. Turning to the New Testament, Joseph and Mary exhibited great faith, trust and courage in the face of completely unexpected circumstances. They did not ask “why us” or “is there any way to get out of this?” They heeded the voice of God coming to them through angels and dreams, and they moved forward with confidence in a completely unknown path God set before them.
Trust and courage are central qualities of a disciple of Jesus. Speaking up in the face of injustice, moving forward without knowing all the answers or even the destination to which God is calling you, and sharing your faith through acts of compassion, mercy and love are key qualities of the Christian life.
If you are struggling with being a disciple of Jesus, start with creating more time for prayer and contemplation. Quietly lift up your prayers to God and sit for a moment with an open heart and spirit. Listen for God’s still, small voice speaking to you – directly or indirectly through open doors and those which shut. Look for signs of God’s presence with you, through people who show up along life’s way and help you unexpectedly. And then turn and be that person, that agent of God’s love, to others. Live with a spirit of gratitude that the Holy Spirit is always with you, helping to guide you along the way.
Small steps forward are as important as bold strides. And remember – you never take even one small step alone. Jesus walks with you every step of the way.