At Longview Christian Church, we describe discipleship through a humble reading of scripture. We believe that discipleship describes the lifelong journey of a person being transformed into the likeness of Christ. A disciple is committed to following Him, remaining rooted in God’s Word, and living empowered by the Holy Spirit. At LCC, discipleship is experienced in the context of Christian community learning to love as Christ loved while practicing the LCC values of biblical teaching, authentic community, humble worship, and sacrificial living.
The Biblical Example
Disciples are called to a new life as selfless followers of Jesus...
John 10:27 - “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.”
II Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”
Luke 14: 27, 33 “Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple…So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.”
Disciples are called to know Christ and to become like Him
Philippians 3:10-11 - “that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.”
John 15:4-5,8 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing...By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.”.
Disciples are called to be discipled and to proclaim Christ…
1 Corinthians 11: 1 “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.”
2 Corinthians 4:5 “For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake.
Philippians 3:17 “Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us.”
Disciples are called to mature, bearing fruit and making new disciples…
Colossians 1:9-12 “And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you[e] to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.”
Matthew 28:19-20 “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
The Picture at LCC
At LCC, discipleship occurs within a variety of environments, such as corporate gatherings, small groups, mentoring relationships, and family life. While LCC’s values are reflected in each of these environments, each individual’s path of discipleship is unique. How a family or individual is involved in these environments varies depending on maturity, availability, need, and season of life. Discipleship is not a list of programs to join, but an individual decision to follow Christ and to mature as a Christ follower under the guidance of Christ centered leadership (elders, pastors, and teachers). We desire to give each individual an opportunity to mature as a disciple of Jesus within the LCC community and equip them to produce new disciples in their circles of influence.
A maturing disciple at LCC is committed to being mentored by a more mature disciple. Yet, at the same time, is learning to encourage and equip others as well by their example as a Christ follower. Every disciple should embrace their role as a Christ follower modeling for others a Christ centered life as a disciple (1 Cor 11:1, Phil 3:17). LCC is committed to helping each person determine a healthy path forward as a disciple of Jesus in the LCC community. We pray for God’s Spirit to produce growth as each disciple is immersed in biblical teaching, active in authentic community, participating in humble worship, and committed to sacrificial living.