Being a Disciple of Christ

Choice #2

Luke 10:38-42, 11:1-13, 12:13-40, 13:23-24, 14:16-33

Being a Disciple of Christ

Learning to be a Disciple of Christ is a lifelong pursuit. Each day I feel like I can improve and enjoy the process. President Faust describes what discipleship is,

"What is discipleship? It is primarily obedience to the Savior. Discipleship includes many things. It is chastity. It is tithing. It is family home evening. It is keeping all the commandments. It is forsaking anything that is not good for us. Everything in life has a price. Considering the Savior’s great promise for peace in this life and eternal life in the life to come, discipleship is a price worth paying. It is a price we cannot afford not to pay. By measure, the requirements of discipleship are much, much less than the promised blessings.

The disciples of Christ receive a call to not only forsake the pursuit of worldly things but to carry the cross daily. To carry the cross means to follow His commandments and to build up His Church on the earth. It also means self-mastery. ² As Jesus of Nazareth instructed us, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.” ³ “And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.” ⁴

The words of a beloved Primary song resonate with all who follow the Master:

I’m trying to be like Jesus;

I’m following in his ways.

I’m trying to love as he did, in all that I do and say. ⁵ "

I want to be more like the Savior. He is so loving, compassionate and kind to others. This week I learned more about how to be more like Him.

1.    Read Luke 10:38-42, 11:1-13, 12:13-40, 13:23-24, 14:16-33 and the institute student manual commentary for Luke 11:5-13, “The Parable of the Friend at Midnight” (pg 115) Make a list of what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ and what the Savior taught about counting the costs of following Him.

a.)   Choosing Christ above all else – putting Christ first in our lives.

b.)  Let the Savior teach you – be a humble servant.

c.)   Forgive others.

d.)  Be willing and prepared to serve others at any time.

e.)   Ask for the Lord’s assistance when you need it. He can strengthen us to give us the energy, insight, and power to do all that is required of us.

f.)    Disciples remember who they are, children of a Heavenly Father, who loves them and knows their needs.

g.)   Disciples should not be materialistic and value temporal things. Covet not. Seek not for worldly riches.

h.)  Serve others. Give all to God. Time, energy, thought and life.

i.)    Have an attitude of gratitude. Live with a spirit of gratefulness in any circumstance.

j.)    Have faith that your Heavenly Father will provide for you what you need.

k.)    Prepare for the Savior’s return and be watchful.

l.)    Disciples are baptized, receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost and follow the Lord’s path.

m.) Be willing to sacrifice your time and all you are and have to God.

n.)  Disciples will do what the Lord commands. Obedience is required.

o.)   Love others.

p.)  Trust in Heavenly Father’s plan.

q.)  Be persistent, faithful and consistent in prayer.

2. Identify one of the teachings from your list that you would like to apply more fully in your life. Write a paragraph about how you could apply that teaching and what difference you believe it would make in your life.

We can always improve in becoming a true disciple of Christ. I would like to work on have a disposition of gratitude. I feel that if I am consciously trying to live with a grateful heart that I will be able to share with others the spirit of gratitude. To me gratitude is a gateway to a deeper joy in life. I am grateful for my blessings but President Uchtdorf shares a statement that teaches me how I can improve:

“As disciples of Christ, we are commanded to “thank the Lord [our] God in all things,”¹ to “sing unto the Lord with thanksgiving,”² and to “let [our] heart be full of thanks unto God. … Could I suggest that we see gratitude as a disposition, a way of life that stands independent of our current situation? In other words, I’m suggesting that instead of being thankful for things, we focus on being thankful in our circumstances—whatever they may be.”

–     “Grateful in Any Circumstance” April 2014

Implementing an attitude of gratitude will increase my level of humility and soften my heart. I see it as being contagious and allowing me to share with others my appreciation for them. I want to be a righteous example for my family and feel this is a good goal to improve.

3.    Read Luke 14:33; Omni 1:26; Mosiah 2:34; Matthew 13:44-46. Explain in writing what is ultimately required to be a disciple of Jesus Christ.

We must “forsake all” to be a disciple of Jesus Christ by using our agency to willingly follow the Lord, and be obedient to His commandments. We must “Come unto Him” will full purpose of heart, and accept His Atonement by using the Atonement to repent, make course corrections, and to be strengthened in weakness. We show our dedication to the Savior by having a testimony of His plan, the Plan of Salvation, by fasting and praying, and by enduring to the end.  Disciples of Jesus Christ remember they are “eternally indebted to” Heavenly Father and should follow Him with humility and meekness in spirit. Disciples of Christ are joyful because they have found the truth and feel the indescribable joy that comes from serving, loving and following Jesus Christ.