More Than Sunday Mornings
Previously, we looked at three core characteristics of a disciple: someone who is a learner, puts Christ first, and lives a pure and holy life. Think of this as Discipleship 101—the starter pack. But like any good story (or any decent pot of coffee), there’s more brewing. Today, we’re diving into three more essential marks of a disciple that go beyond church attendance and streaming worship music on your favorite playlist. This one’s personal. Because if we want to live like Jesus, we need to live with Him first.
A Disciple Spends Time in Prayer: No Shakespearean Monologues Required
Let’s talk about prayer. Mark 1:35-36 (ESV) gives us a snapshot of Jesus’ rhythm: “And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.” Jesus—the literal Son of God—woke up early and carved out quiet time for prayer. If He needed it, how much more do we?
Prayer doesn’t have to be dramatic or poetic. I used to think that prayer needed to sound like a King James soliloquy: “Oh Lord, thou art most majestic…” But honestly? Jesus’ own prayers were often short and direct. They weren’t performance art. They were real, raw, and rooted in relationship.
Luke 11:1-4 gives us the Lord’s Prayer, a masterclass in simplicity and depth. It’s structured with intentionality—starting with adoration, moving into dependence on God for daily needs, and then into confession and spiritual protection. The disciples didn’t ask Jesus how to heal or preach. They asked, “Lord, teach us to pray.” That tells us something. Prayer isn’t about impressing God; it’s about connecting with Him. It’s how we align our hearts with His will, not our wishlist.
So when do you pray? Besides mealtime? I like to think of prayer as an ongoing conversation rather than a calendar appointment. Maybe it’s while you drive, or during a quiet moment with your morning coffee (the real spiritual beverage).
A Disciple Loves the Word of God: Daily Bread, Not Dessert
Just like prayer builds intimacy with God, Scripture builds our understanding of who He is and how He works. It’s one thing to talk to God—but it’s another to let Him talk back. And the primary way He does that? Through His Word.
We all say we love the Word, but do we treat it like our daily bread or a once-a-week treat? Acts 2:42-47 (ESV) shows us the early church in action: “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.” This wasn’t a casual Netflix-style binge; it was a daily devotion.
And the result? “The Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.” Their love for God’s Word wasn’t just about personal growth—it drew people in.
So, what’s your approach to reading or listening to Scripture? Are you a YouVersion app kind of person or a paper Bible purist? Do you use commentaries, podcasts, or group studies? Whatever your method, the goal is the same: to let God’s truth shape your life.
Colossians 3:16-17 (ESV) says, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly…” That’s more than a verse-a-day habit. That’s saturation. It’s letting God’s Word become the soundtrack of your life, the lens you see through, the story you live by.
Transitioning Forward: Living What We Learn
When prayer becomes a habit and the Word becomes a hunger, something starts to shift inside us. It’s like spiritual oxygen—you don’t just breathe it in for yourself; it naturally fuels your next steps. And that next step? It’s living out what we’ve been learning in a world that desperately needs it.
Prayer and the Word are not spiritual hobbies. They are the lifeblood of a disciple. They inform our decisions, change our hearts, and set the tone for everything else we do. But we don’t stop there. In the next article, we’ll look at how disciples don’t just sit and soak—they go and tell. And yes, witnessing can be terrifying. But it’s also essential.
Don’t Just Know It—Live It
Being a disciple isn’t about being perfect; it’s about being in process. Prayer connects us to the heart of the Father. Scripture shapes our thoughts and actions. If you want to grow, start with those two. They’re not fancy. They’re just faithful.
So here’s your homework (and mine): carve out time to pray without pressure and get in the Word without guilt. Keep it real. Keep it simple. And stay tuned—we’re going public with our faith in the next article.
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