Discipleship
Brief intro
Matthew 28:19-20
At Stauros, we recognize and embrace our important role in the noble endeavor of "Soul Winning."
In the context of the Bible, discipleship encompasses three stages: following, imitating, and becoming. Before one can become Christ-like, one must first follow Him, imitate Him, and thereafter become like Him.
For true discipleship to happen, the soul of Christ's disciple must first be liberated from the systems that shape human lives—Religion, Family, Education, Government, Media, Arts and Entertainment, and Business. These are commonly referred to as the seven mountains of influence. Only a soul free from these influences can truly be a disciple. Where discipleship appears ineffective, it may be because the soul has not yet been won.
Prior to the advent of Jesus, several notable empires, including the Babylonian, Persian, Greek, and Roman empires, emerged, educating their societies through these same seven avenues of influence. Jesus came during the period of the Roman Empire, fulfilling prophetic traditions. He entrusted His disciples with the Great Commission—to share His teachings with all nations, thereby affirming His role as the primary Teacher amidst the various influences present in society.
In this context, our aim is to encourage individuals to engage with the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. We emphasize the message of the Cross as the foundational aspect for understanding Christ’s purpose and love for all nations. (Matthew 1:21, 1 Timothy 1:15, Hebrews 9:26).
SEVEN MOUNTAINS OF INFLUENCE
Religion
Religion is a system of beliefs, practices, and values that often involves a relationship with the divine or a higher power.
In essence, while faith in Christ centers on an individual’s relational engagement with Jesus while organized religion encompasses a broader, structured framework of beliefs and communal practices. Though these two can coexist, they emphasize distinct aspects of spirituality and community dynamics, with varying implications for individual believers and collective bodies.
It is important to understand that the Christianity founded by Christ is not a religion; rather, faith in Christ.
Family
The concept of family plays a significant role in shaping individuals within society. We know that there is no family on this planet without a husband and the entire family tends to follow him, whether willingly or unwillingly.
When considering discipleship within families, our focus is on the husbands/ heads of families. If a husband follows Christ, the family, regardless of their preferences will ultimately bow down to Christ. In case of disobedience, the family head has the authority to dismiss anyone who refuses to adhere to the family's values. Therefore, in our approach to discipleship, we prioritize engaging the heads of families by establishing family cells as a starting point to win the hearts of men for Christ (Acts 5:42).
Education
The integration of Christ-centered discipleship into national education systems can significantly influence society and communities. Discipleship about Christ can profoundly influence the educational landscape, fostering an environment that champions both academic rigor and moral growth.
This integrative approach emphasizes the importance of love, service, and relational dynamics, ultimately leading to transformative impacts on students and educational communities at large.
Government
Discipleship with the intent of influencing governmental systems to align with Christian values is very important and aims to nurture a culture reflective of Christ's teachings within governance, advancing principles of justice, mercy, and righteousness in societal frameworks.
This systemic transformation is viewed as an ongoing endeavor that necessitates sustained effort, fervent prayer, and unwavering commitment from believers.
Media
Discipleship articulated in the teachings of Jesus Christ for the transformation of global media encompasses creating content that embodies virtues and guiding content creators to internalize and reflect these principles in their work as essential for fostering a positive media landscape.
It is imperative to champion values such as love, compassion, honesty, and integrity within media narratives.
Arts & Entertainment
The principles of Jesus Christ's discipleship can exert a transformative impact on the global arts and entertainment sector that mirror the core teachings of Jesus—embodying themes of love, forgiveness, humility, and sacrifice.
Through mediums such as film, music, and literature, they have the potential to resonate with audiences.
Business
The integration of Christ-centered discipleship within secular business environments is very important. Disciples should embody Christian principles—honesty, integrity, respect, and compassion—within their professional conduct. This can catalyze a cultural shift, prompting colleagues to adopt similar ethical frameworks.
The business environment must be characterized by love, humility, and authenticity, allowing for the sincere representation of Christ’s teachings in daily professional interactions.
