By Zoe Knox
At Seapointe College, discipleship is not just a concept we talk about in class. It is something we practice daily through mentorship, community, and spiritual formation.
Action Verse: “Then Jesus said to His disciples, ‘If anyone wants to follow after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross and follow me.’”—Matthew 16:24
Discipleship.
It is a word we hear often, especially in the church, that carries deep and personal meaning.
Jesus spoke these words in Matthew not as a suggestion, but as an invitation into a transformed life. To follow Him was not a casual decision for the disciples but a choice that changed everything.
So what does Christian discipleship really mean?
A disciple is someone who follows Jesus with their whole heart. It means denying the ways of the world and resisting the temptation to put ourselves first. It means choosing to model our lives after the most perfect man to ever live. Discipleship is not about simply knowing about Jesus but about walking with Him, learning from Him, and becoming more like Him everyday.
Discipleship is also hard though. Jesus never promised that following Him would be easy. In fact, he promised the opposite! What He does promise in exchange for your devotion and love is His faithful, constant, sustaining presence. There is such joy in following Jesus! A joy that is deep, steady, and unshaken by circumstances.
Growing up in a Christian household myself, my faith was automatic, instilled into my very being.
Belief may have come naturally, but discipleship did not. It was not until trials hit that I truly began to understand what it means to not just follow Jesus, but become a disciple. Trials revealed where my trust really lied. Following Jesus now means choosing Him even when my life does not make sense, choosing to trust Him when the outcome seems uncertain.
When we trust Him, something beautiful happens. There is an exchange of our fears for His peace, our striving for His rest, our heaviness for supernatural joy. This joy does not ignore pain, but it anchors us in the truth that God is in control. As we follow Him, God keeps us. He guards our hearts and strengthens us to keep going.
As a Seapointe student, discipleship has become practical and visible in my life. I am mentored, taught, encouraged, and stretched in ways that are biblical. The fruit of being formed into a disciple shows up in how I live out my faith on campus and beyond. It looks like choosing integrity, honoring God in relationships, and my time with the Lord. It means allowing Jesus to shape my attitude, language, and how I treat those around me.
Discipleship as a Seapointe student also means showing up. It means engaging in community, being willing to be known and know, and allowing others to speak into our lives. It looks like opening Scripture because I desire to hear God’s voice. It means praying when I feel strong and when I feel weak. Growth happens when I am willing to be teachable and obedient, even when it stretches me.
Following Jesus on campus also means being different. Discipleship may call us to stand out when my generation tells me to blend in. Jesus’ call to take up our cross reminds us that following Him will cost us something but what we gain in return is far greater.
Discipleship is not about perfection; it is about dependence on Him. We will stumble. We will wrestle with doubt. A disciple is someone who keeps coming back to Jesus, choosing repentance, trust, and obedience. God is patient with our growth, and He is faithful to complete the work He begins in us.
Ultimately, discipleship is where we find true life, and life abundantly. As we deny ourselves and follow Jesus, we discover a peace that surpasses understanding and a purpose that extends beyond ourselves. As Seapointe students and disciples, may we not settle for a faith that is comfortable or convenient. May we choose the deeper path; the path of surrender, trust, and wholehearted devotion to Jesus.
Because following Him is worth everything.
