One aspect of discipleship that I am discovering more and more is the importance of the integration of multiple activities.

My experience has been that many see discipleship as an activity of the mind. Typically, many discipling relationships I have been part of and have watched have been limited to the study/reflection/memorization of scripture and prayer. And while these have been good, I’m realizing that they are not robust enough.

Reflecting on the interactions Jesus had with his disciples, yes, there were times to pause and learn, and often Jesus pulled them aside for some great teaching moments, however more often than not they were actively participating in hands-on ministry. Many times the teaching moments came out of the active ministry they had just participated in.

And while the cultural context allowed for Jesus and his followers to be together 7/24, we need to ask what our cultural context will allow.

I’ve had several conversations with individuals the past few months who have been involved in varying types of discipleship groups. One of the themes that I have been hearing is that their study is becoming dry. The constant input of information, as good and scriptural as it is, is feeling like it is missing meaning, an outlet to practice.

For the past three years, I have been integrating some intentional service with the guys I’ve been meeting with. Whether it is serving breakfast regularly at the homeless drop-in, building picnic tables for a ministry or serving on a non-profit board of directors, these tangible activities have given a context with which to live out our faith. We’ve learned about each other as we’ve watched different giftings shine and personality traits be exposed. We’ve learned about aspects of concern in our city that we wouldn’t have seen otherwise. And our hearts have been exposed to the work of the Kingdom that God is calling us to.

God became flesh and dwelt among us. We too, while we learn to understand God from scripture and through the Holy Spirit speaking to us, must engage practically in the work of the kingdom. These various aspects however must not be done in silos. They work together in the context of a discipling relationship. It may appear more complex, and it is definitely not as convenient, but I believe that discipleship calls us to embrace the complexity of it all.