Discipleship
Disciples are students.
If God is calling you to be a minister of His kingdom as a part of His Holy Church and you wish to study the ways of the kingdom under the guidance of ministers in the network.
You may apply to His Holy Church.
What to expect
There will be long hours and hard work, private lessons and one on one teaching.
- Luke 14:26 If any [man] come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. 27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. 28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? 29 Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, 30 Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish. 31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? 32 Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace. 33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple. 34 Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be seasoned? 35 It is neither fit for the land, nor yet for the dunghill; but men cast it out. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
- Matthew 19:21 "Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go [and] sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come [and] follow me."
The same is also seen in Mark 10:21 and in Luke 18:22. This idea of giving up all to serve the Lord opens a door that completes the discipleship of Christ.
If you believe in Christ, His name, His character, giving up your life will become easy...
- John 5:39 "Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me."
Jesus is talking about the testimony of the Old Testament because that was the scripture then. And the Pharisees had twisted it so that though they studied they did not know what they read and did not know Christ when he came.
Many Christians today might not really know Christ. Knowing yourself is a major part of learning to know Christ. Trials and tribulation, serving, seeking and striving may show you The Way.
- John 6:54 "Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day."
“The real difference in the believer who follows Christ and has mortified his will and died after the old man in Christ, is that he is more clearly aware than other men of the rebelliousness and perennial pride of the flesh, he is conscious of his sloth and self-indulgence and knows that his arrogance must be eradicated. Hence there is a need for daily self-discipline.” ― Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship
- John 15:18 ¶ If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before [it hated] you. 19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
To begin the process
Have you chosen a Minister of Record to connect you with the rest of the Living Network?
That minister should be willing to recommend you for the discipleship. Talk to him and share with him your hopes and aspirations.
Write us a letter about who you are and why you want to begin the training.
Essay #1: Vocational Intentions
Brief essay addressing your sense of call to a ministry/vocation... listing what you think is your unique gifts for this ministry.
Essay #2: Your personal history and hopes
This will include what you have done during your life, where you are now and what you hope to accomplish.
The Aspirant Outline will help you organize this information for the record.
Theological Reflection (Brief statement)
Use the following questions to address your personal theological reflection on your personal vocation:
1. Address the question "Why His Holy Church?"
2. Grace is central to the message and ministry of Jesus. In what ways do you hope to manifest His virtue?
3. How does God speak this desire for discipleship in you heart to prepare you for the ministry?
4. What will you seek to do if are not accepted to continue your discipleship with His Holy Church?