The Importance of Discipleship: a word by Bethany L.

I believe the church is in crisis.

The church is seemingly losing Gen Z. As a Gen Z-er myself, I was very close to leaving the church. Now, blaming the church isn’t the main message of this, but I hope to point out a fatal flaw that is causing a lot of young people to leave their church and Christianity behind. A lack of discipleship. 

I grew up going to church, and I dedicated my life to Christ when I was 4 years old. I even rededicated my life to Him at 12 years old. I went to AWANA every Wednesday night and Sunday School every Sunday. I counseled at a Christian summer camp for 3 summers. And yet, when I was about to graduate highschool, I contemplated leaving all of my religion behind. According to a study done by Lifeway Research, 66% (two-thirds) of young adults stop attending church regularly between the ages of 18-22. There are various different reasons that are stated, but the root of all the excuses is a lack of discipleship. Discipleship was one of Jesus’ most prominent ministries as a teacher. Think about it, He had the fullness of God’s power. In all those moments He spent with His disciples, He could’ve been doing miracles. But, instead, He took the time to explain His parables, spend quality time with them, and champion them to continue His work after He ascended. Jesus was invested in them. He called them to live life with Him. He broke bread with them, laughed with them, cried with them. There were moments of joy and moments of pain. When I look at the way Jesus discipled the 12, I can confidently say I was not discipled throughout my childhood and into my young adult years. 

A lack of discipleship is the source of many people leaving the church. The root word of discipleship is discipline. When we are disciplined to be more like Jesus, we are constantly getting to know Him more thus creating a deep relationship with Him. Without that deep and personal relationship with God, young people piggyback off of and rely on their parents, pastors or even friends' faith. This will never sustain a person through the trials life brings. Gen Z wants authenticity. They want what’s real. When this generation is met by parents, leaders and friends that are Christian but don’t live out their faith and their beliefs, they’re going to leave. Bringing someone alongside you in discipleship not only nurtures the foundation of their faith, but it shows them what a life following Jesus can look like. Once a person starts asking questions about the bible, theology, or even something as simple as conflict resolution, they can have someone to go to who can lead and guide them in a biblical manner. Without discipleship, they resign to Google or social media to find their answers. For truth. For their identity.

There needs to be action taken by my generation as well. As lost as Gen Z is, there is still an obligation for them to be willingly discipled. You can be the best discipler the world has seen since Jesus, but if the person you are mentoring is hard hearted and refuses to adhere to any advice, there’s simply nothing you can do. If you’re being discipled, there’s an obligation and expectation of honesty and vulnerability. My generation is hungry to be discipled, they just don’t realize it. So, if someone comes alongside them and is willing to work with them through all the joy and pain that life can bring - they will be open to you. 

The church is in crisis, and how we respond to this can change the course of where my generation is headed. Discipleship is needed. My generation is desperate for direction and for someone to show them what their identity is. If you are not being discipled or discipling another person, I urge you to pray for the Lord to highlight someone you need to reach out to. Study the Gospels and note how Jesus was with His disciples and aspire to be like that. Jesus and the example He set is our centering truth. Ultimately, truth is all we are seeking.