1. What is Discipleship?
"Follow me" - Jesus
Summary
The heart of discipleship is about a relationship with Jesus. It’s about being with Jesus, experiencing His transforming power, and walking closely with Him in a lifelong relationship that changes your heart, identity, and purpose.
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❓ Jump to Discipleship Questions
Why a Discipleship Course?
You’ve probably seen the word discipleship on books, websites, church programs—even coffee mugs. It’s a familiar word. But for many, it’s still a foggy one.
Some hear it and think of evening Bible studies or accountability groups. Others think of spiritual disciplines, mentoring, or intense theological training. And to be honest - none of those are wrong. But none of them quite get to the heart of discipleship, either.
So we wanted to peel back the layers and ask the deeper question:
What does it really mean to follow Jesus - not just with your head or habits, but with your heart?
That’s why we wrote this series. Not to offer a program. Not to give you more rules. But to help you see that at the centre of discipleship is a Person. Not a system. Not a checklist. Just Jesus.
And when you follow Him - truly follow Him - your whole life begins to change. Not just your behaviour, but your heart. Your desires. Your sense of self. Your vision of the world. Because discipleship isn’t just about information - it’s about transformation.
Not just in your head, but in your heart.
Where your deepest loves live.
Where your identity takes root.
Where your worship ignites.
So whether you’re just starting out or looking to go deeper, we invite you to walk with us through this content. Not because we have all the answers - but because when your heart is captured by Christ, everything changes.
Let’s get to the real heart of discipleship - Jesus.
Some hear it and think of evening Bible studies or accountability groups. Others think of spiritual disciplines, mentoring, or intense theological training. And to be honest - none of those are wrong. But none of them quite get to the heart of discipleship, either.
So we wanted to peel back the layers and ask the deeper question:
What does it really mean to follow Jesus - not just with your head or habits, but with your heart?
That’s why we wrote this series. Not to offer a program. Not to give you more rules. But to help you see that at the centre of discipleship is a Person. Not a system. Not a checklist. Just Jesus.
And when you follow Him - truly follow Him - your whole life begins to change. Not just your behaviour, but your heart. Your desires. Your sense of self. Your vision of the world. Because discipleship isn’t just about information - it’s about transformation.
Not just in your head, but in your heart.
Where your deepest loves live.
Where your identity takes root.
Where your worship ignites.
So whether you’re just starting out or looking to go deeper, we invite you to walk with us through this content. Not because we have all the answers - but because when your heart is captured by Christ, everything changes.
Let’s get to the real heart of discipleship - Jesus.
What is Discipleship?
For many, discipleship means following the rules.
Discipline. Self-control. Obedience.
It sounds noble - but it often feels heavy.
In Jesus’ time, that’s exactly how people saw discipleship. Jewish pupils followed the Law (the Torah) with great precision. They studied, memorised, and obeyed their rabbi’s teachings with intense dedication.
But then Jesus came - and turned everything upside down. Instead of saying, “Follow the Law,”, he said, “Follow me” (Mark 1:17). That was revolutionary back then and honestly, it still is today. Jesus’ call to discipleship isn’t a call to master the rules - it is a call into something far more enjoyable, deeper, and personal.
Discipleship is a call into a relationship with Jesus.
Not rules, but a relationship. A real relationship that draws you close to the One who knows you, loves you, and invites you to find life in Him.
This changes everything because all of a sudden, discipleship isn’t about doing - but about being with Jesus.
“And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him…” (Mark 3:14).
Discipleship is fundamentally relational.
Not a matter of behaviour, but a matter of the heart.
But what is the heart, anyway?
In Jesus’ time, that’s exactly how people saw discipleship. Jewish pupils followed the Law (the Torah) with great precision. They studied, memorised, and obeyed their rabbi’s teachings with intense dedication.
But then Jesus came - and turned everything upside down. Instead of saying, “Follow the Law,”, he said, “Follow me” (Mark 1:17). That was revolutionary back then and honestly, it still is today. Jesus’ call to discipleship isn’t a call to master the rules - it is a call into something far more enjoyable, deeper, and personal.
Discipleship is a call into a relationship with Jesus.
Not rules, but a relationship. A real relationship that draws you close to the One who knows you, loves you, and invites you to find life in Him.
This changes everything because all of a sudden, discipleship isn’t about doing - but about being with Jesus.
“And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him…” (Mark 3:14).
Discipleship is fundamentally relational.
Not a matter of behaviour, but a matter of the heart.
But what is the heart, anyway?
The Heart of the Matter
We’re more confused about the heart than just about any other part of our being. The heart can be warm or cold, tender or hard, light or heavy - and sometimes all before breakfast. It can break, sink, flutter, race, skip a beat, and even get stolen by someone we find attractive. You can wear it on your sleeve, cross it and hope to die, or swear you gave it away last Christmas. We’re told to follow it, even though we can have a change of heart… or just lose heart altogether.
How can the heart be so fragile and fierce?
So sentimental and stubborn?
It really is a poetical paradox with a pulse.
But all these sayings - as confusing as they are - point to something deeper: the heart matters.
How can the heart be so fragile and fierce?
So sentimental and stubborn?
It really is a poetical paradox with a pulse.
But all these sayings - as confusing as they are - point to something deeper: the heart matters.
Jesus explains why with a vivid image: if your life is like a tree, then your heart is the root system. What you believe and love in your heart (roots) will always show up in your fruit (behaviour). That’s why He said, “each tree is known by its own fruit… for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (Luke 6:44–45).
The rest of Scripture tells the same story - the heart is never just the place of emotion; it is the epicentre of our being (Proverbs 4:23). It’s where we treasure what matters most, where love is cultivated, and where decisions are made (Matthew 6:21, Deuteronomy 6:5, Proverbs 16:9). It holds our deepest desires, reveals our truest self, and from it overflows everything we say, do, and become (James 1:14, Proverbs 27:19, Matthew 12:34).
That’s right - our heart is so central (and vulnerable!) that whatever it is captivated by - whatever it loves - you become!
Love success and you become a work-a-holic.
Love comfort, and you become apathetic.
Love control, and you become anxious.
But love Jesus?
If your heart is captivated by Jesus - if your affections are stirred by who He is and what He has done - then you’ll become more like Him!
That’s why the heart of discipleship is the heart!
It’s about who has your heart.
The rest of Scripture tells the same story - the heart is never just the place of emotion; it is the epicentre of our being (Proverbs 4:23). It’s where we treasure what matters most, where love is cultivated, and where decisions are made (Matthew 6:21, Deuteronomy 6:5, Proverbs 16:9). It holds our deepest desires, reveals our truest self, and from it overflows everything we say, do, and become (James 1:14, Proverbs 27:19, Matthew 12:34).
That’s right - our heart is so central (and vulnerable!) that whatever it is captivated by - whatever it loves - you become!
Love success and you become a work-a-holic.
Love comfort, and you become apathetic.
Love control, and you become anxious.
But love Jesus?
If your heart is captivated by Jesus - if your affections are stirred by who He is and what He has done - then you’ll become more like Him!
That’s why the heart of discipleship is the heart!
It’s about who has your heart.
What is Discipleship?
So if the heart really is the heart of discipleship - because it’s both the centre of our lives and the centre of our relationship with Jesus - then we need clarity, because not everything that claims to be discipleship actually is.
Let’s start by clearing up a few misconceptions.
Discipleship is NOT:
So what does real discipleship look like?
Discipleship is a lifelong journey of following Jesus together - being transformed by His grace in the context of a Christ-centred community.
That’s the big picture. But let’s break it down a little more.
Discipleship IS:
Our prayer is that with this biblical, heart-focused vision of discipleship, you won’t just grow in head knowledge, but be captivated by Jesus in a way that transforms even the most ordinary moments of life.
Let’s start by clearing up a few misconceptions.
Discipleship is NOT:
- 🚫 A beginner’s course - you never outgrow or graduate from the need to follow Jesus.
- 🚫 Just about learning more information - It’s not just about learning more information - it’s about getting to the heart & living it out.
- 🚫 A solo journey - authentic discipleship happens in community.
- 🚫 Only for the super-spiritual - Jesus called ordinary fishermen, tax collectors and regular people into discipleship.
- 🚫 About being perfect—it’s about being transformed.
So what does real discipleship look like?
Discipleship is a lifelong journey of following Jesus together - being transformed by His grace in the context of a Christ-centred community.
That’s the big picture. But let’s break it down a little more.
Discipleship IS:
- ✅ Relational—it’s about knowing and walking with Jesus (Philippians 3:8)
- ✅ Gospel-centred—Jesus’ work, not ours, is what changes us (Ephesians 2:8-9, Titus 3:5)
- ✅ Transformational—what captures your heart, shapes your life (Proverbs 4:23, 2 Corinthians 3:18)
- ✅ Communal—we grow by discipling and being discipled (Proverbs 27:17)
- ✅ Reproducible—disciples make disciples (Matthew 28:19-20, 2 Timothy 2:2)
Our prayer is that with this biblical, heart-focused vision of discipleship, you won’t just grow in head knowledge, but be captivated by Jesus in a way that transforms even the most ordinary moments of life.
What Should I Expect?
Whether discipleship is new to you, you’ve been discipled before, or you’ve even led others, this course isn’t a step-by-step program you graduate from. It’s a biblical discipleship tool—designed to help you grow deeper in your walk with Jesus and equip you to disciple others.
This journey is built around six key questions that provide a gospel-centred and heart-focused framework for discipleship.
All of these questions are not designed as a once-off experience - they’ll come up again and again in your future discipleship. Taking time to reflect on them in each session will set you up for deeper growth as you follow Jesus. They can become a tool to help you engage deeply with God's Word, expose lies you are believing, uncover misplaced loves, and realign your heart to the truth.
And remember—this is just the entrée. The main course is enjoying Jesus for a lifetime. Discipleship is slow. It’s personal. It’s full of detours and wonder and hard days and unexpected joy.
But it’s also deeply worth it - because Jesus doesn’t invite you to walk alone. He promises to walk with you through every step (Matthew 28:20).
This journey is built around six key questions that provide a gospel-centred and heart-focused framework for discipleship.
- Who is God?
- What has God done?
- Who am I?
- Who are we?
- What challenges will I face?
- What difference does it make?
All of these questions are not designed as a once-off experience - they’ll come up again and again in your future discipleship. Taking time to reflect on them in each session will set you up for deeper growth as you follow Jesus. They can become a tool to help you engage deeply with God's Word, expose lies you are believing, uncover misplaced loves, and realign your heart to the truth.
And remember—this is just the entrée. The main course is enjoying Jesus for a lifetime. Discipleship is slow. It’s personal. It’s full of detours and wonder and hard days and unexpected joy.
But it’s also deeply worth it - because Jesus doesn’t invite you to walk alone. He promises to walk with you through every step (Matthew 28:20).
What's in it for Me?
Just before we begin, you might be wondering:
What’s in it for me?
Will discipleship make me a better person?
Help me overcome struggles?
Bring more joy?
By God’s grace—yes. But that’s not the point.
Because while change isn’t the goal of discipleship, it is the effect. And the real power comes from proximity. Following Jesus from a distance changes very little. But when you purposefully “draw near to the throne of grace” - everything changes (Hebrews 4:16).
Think of Moses, who spoke with God face to face and left radiating His glory, or the woman who touched His cloak and was instantly healed, being with Christ IS what transforms you!
And here’s the good news: you don’t have to earn that nearness. If you are already in Christ then nothing in all creation can separate you from your gracious Saviour.
Discipleship simply invites you to live out of that reality. To be with Him. To walk in step with the Spirit. To learn to more fully live out the new identity you have in Him.
So yes - our prayer is that you will grow in joy, patience, and holiness. You will sin less, love more, and live differently. But not because you tried harder.
It will be because your heart has been realigned, your loves reordered and your worship redirected - until you are so captivated by Jesus that you can’t help but be transformed.
That’s the invitation of discipleship:
To enjoy Jesus.
To walk with Him.
To be changed by Him.
This is no abstract idea. This is a real relationship with the real Jesus - who doesn’t just have the power to redeem you - He loves to. And He’s not waiting for you to fix yourself. He’s inviting you now - into the heart of discipleship - a relationship where He changes you from the inside out (Ezekiel 36:26).
What’s in it for me?
Will discipleship make me a better person?
Help me overcome struggles?
Bring more joy?
By God’s grace—yes. But that’s not the point.
Because while change isn’t the goal of discipleship, it is the effect. And the real power comes from proximity. Following Jesus from a distance changes very little. But when you purposefully “draw near to the throne of grace” - everything changes (Hebrews 4:16).
Think of Moses, who spoke with God face to face and left radiating His glory, or the woman who touched His cloak and was instantly healed, being with Christ IS what transforms you!
And here’s the good news: you don’t have to earn that nearness. If you are already in Christ then nothing in all creation can separate you from your gracious Saviour.
Discipleship simply invites you to live out of that reality. To be with Him. To walk in step with the Spirit. To learn to more fully live out the new identity you have in Him.
So yes - our prayer is that you will grow in joy, patience, and holiness. You will sin less, love more, and live differently. But not because you tried harder.
It will be because your heart has been realigned, your loves reordered and your worship redirected - until you are so captivated by Jesus that you can’t help but be transformed.
That’s the invitation of discipleship:
To enjoy Jesus.
To walk with Him.
To be changed by Him.
This is no abstract idea. This is a real relationship with the real Jesus - who doesn’t just have the power to redeem you - He loves to. And He’s not waiting for you to fix yourself. He’s inviting you now - into the heart of discipleship - a relationship where He changes you from the inside out (Ezekiel 36:26).
So, step in. Be open. And trust that through discipleship, Jesus is ready to do more in you than you ever imagined (Ephesians 3:20-21).
Get to the Heart
This is a chance to share your story and how Jesus has changed your life. Like the psalmist says, “Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will tell what he has done for my soul” Psalm 66:16. Whether you’re new to the group or have walked together for years, it’s an opportunity to reflect on God’s grace and encourage one another in the gospel.
1. Tell the story of how you came to put your faith in Jesus.
2. Share about a time when you experienced significant spiritual growth.
3. Where do you sense the Holy Spirit stirring growth in your life right now?
2. Share about a time when you experienced significant spiritual growth.
3. Where do you sense the Holy Spirit stirring growth in your life right now?
Get to the Heart (Expanded)
1. Tell the story of how you came to put your faith in Jesus.
This is your gospel story—how Jesus became real to you and what it meant to trust Him.
2. Share about a time when you experienced significant spiritual growth.
This could be a season where your love for Jesus deepened, your understanding of the gospel expanded, or your character began to change.
3. Where do you sense the Holy Spirit stirring growth in your life right now?
This is an opportunity to name where you’re at right now in your journey of following Jesus.
This is your gospel story—how Jesus became real to you and what it meant to trust Him.
- What were the key moments or people God used to draw you to Himself?
- What gospel truth did you come to believe at that time?
- What were you trusting Jesus for? What made the message of the gospel good news for you?
- Try to make Jesus the hero of your story—not just what you did, but what He did in you.
2. Share about a time when you experienced significant spiritual growth.
This could be a season where your love for Jesus deepened, your understanding of the gospel expanded, or your character began to change.
- What were the circumstances of that season?
- Were there specific people (mentors, leaders, friends) who helped disciple or encourage you?
- What practices, relationships, or moments helped shape your growth during that time?
3. Where do you sense the Holy Spirit stirring growth in your life right now?
This is an opportunity to name where you’re at right now in your journey of following Jesus.
- Is there an area of your heart where Jesus is drawing you closer?
- Are there patterns, fears, or doubts that He’s gently confronting?
- Is there a gospel truth you’re learning to trust more deeply?
2. Who is God?
"And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another."
(2 Corinthians 3:18)
(2 Corinthians 3:18)
Summary
We often imagine God based on our feelings and experiences, but true discipleship begins by beholding God as He has revealed Himself in Jesus - full of glory, beauty, and love. When we fix our eyes on Christ, we don’t just learn about God; we are transformed by Him, from the inside out. Real change comes not through striving, but through seeing and savouring who God truly is.
📖 Watch the Sermon
❓ Jump to Discipleship Questions
📖 Watch the Sermon
❓ Jump to Discipleship Questions
Who Is God?
Many of us carry around ideas about God that didn’t come from Scripture. Instead, they come from our feelings, frustrations, circumstances, and unmet expectations. We might think:
Our natural instinct isn’t to shape our lives around who God is. We shape who God is around our lives. Surrounded by pain and chaos, sin and suffering, we start to believe that God must be distant, weak, and uncaring. But who would want to worship a God like that?
And so, we leave Him out. We reject Him. We move forward as our own gods, convinced we could do a better job. Yet the God we’ve rejected—the one shaped by our wounds, our disappointment, our desires—is not the real God. He is only a projection. Pastor Sam Allberry once said:
“Describe the God you’ve rejected.
Describe the God you don’t believe in.
Maybe I don’t believe in that God either.”
This isn’t just clever - it’s crucial. If we’re serious about discipleship, we have to ask: Who is God, really? Who is this Jesus we’re called to follow?
- If God doesn’t give me a sign, He must be distant.
- If He doesn’t heal me, He must be weak.
- If He doesn’t fix my situation, He must not care.
Our natural instinct isn’t to shape our lives around who God is. We shape who God is around our lives. Surrounded by pain and chaos, sin and suffering, we start to believe that God must be distant, weak, and uncaring. But who would want to worship a God like that?
And so, we leave Him out. We reject Him. We move forward as our own gods, convinced we could do a better job. Yet the God we’ve rejected—the one shaped by our wounds, our disappointment, our desires—is not the real God. He is only a projection. Pastor Sam Allberry once said:
“Describe the God you’ve rejected.
Describe the God you don’t believe in.
Maybe I don’t believe in that God either.”
This isn’t just clever - it’s crucial. If we’re serious about discipleship, we have to ask: Who is God, really? Who is this Jesus we’re called to follow?
Knowing God, Not Imagining Him
Years ago, while working as a director and choreographer, I (Callum) had the opportunity to work with a few well-known performers. You think you know people like that - you’ve seen them on stage or screen, recognise their voice, maybe even mimic their mannerisms. But when you actually meet them, they’re rarely what you imagined. Sometimes they surprise you for the better. Other times, they don’t. But either way, you only truly know them by spending time with them - not from afar, and not through guesswork.
It’s the same with God.
If we want a real relationship with Him - which is what discipleship is - we can’t begin with who we imagine God to be. We have to begin with who He really is.
The good news is: God has revealed Himself. We don’t have to guess. We have Scripture. And when we open it, we encounter the character of God over and over again - loving, kind, holy, wise, righteous, and good. But Scripture doesn’t just list attributes. The biblical authors use a far richer, deeper word to describe the fullness of who God is: glory.
The Apostle Paul, especially in 2 Corinthians 3, speaks often about “the glory of the Lord.” This glory isn’t just majesty or brilliance—it’s the weight, the substance, the all-encompassing reality of who God is.
To better understand this, 18th-century theologian Jonathan Edwards offers a profound insight. He wrote:
“God is distinguished from all other beings, and exalted far above
them chiefly by his divine beauty. Not sovereignty, not wrath,
not grace, not omniscience, not eternity, but beauty is what more
than anything else defines God’s very divinity.”
For Edwards, God’s glory was His beauty—His central, compelling, and attractive quality.
The psalmist David saw it too. He cried out in Psalm 27:3,
“One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple.”
To see God truly is to see His beauty. Not just intellectually, but affectionately. Theologian Kevin Vanhoozer writes:
“Spiritual understanding involves the affections of the heart,
not simply the cogitations of the mind.”
This isn’t just knowledge - it’s beholding. It’s heart-level awe.
It’s the same with God.
If we want a real relationship with Him - which is what discipleship is - we can’t begin with who we imagine God to be. We have to begin with who He really is.
The good news is: God has revealed Himself. We don’t have to guess. We have Scripture. And when we open it, we encounter the character of God over and over again - loving, kind, holy, wise, righteous, and good. But Scripture doesn’t just list attributes. The biblical authors use a far richer, deeper word to describe the fullness of who God is: glory.
The Apostle Paul, especially in 2 Corinthians 3, speaks often about “the glory of the Lord.” This glory isn’t just majesty or brilliance—it’s the weight, the substance, the all-encompassing reality of who God is.
To better understand this, 18th-century theologian Jonathan Edwards offers a profound insight. He wrote:
“God is distinguished from all other beings, and exalted far above
them chiefly by his divine beauty. Not sovereignty, not wrath,
not grace, not omniscience, not eternity, but beauty is what more
than anything else defines God’s very divinity.”
For Edwards, God’s glory was His beauty—His central, compelling, and attractive quality.
The psalmist David saw it too. He cried out in Psalm 27:3,
“One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple.”
To see God truly is to see His beauty. Not just intellectually, but affectionately. Theologian Kevin Vanhoozer writes:
“Spiritual understanding involves the affections of the heart,
not simply the cogitations of the mind.”
This isn’t just knowledge - it’s beholding. It’s heart-level awe.
Beauty That Transforms
I (Callum) certainly don’t look like someone who climbs mountains - and to be fair, I’m not. But I have climbed a few in my time and one particular climb stands out. Nearly a decade ago, a friend of mine dragged me out of bed at 4 a.m., threw me into the back of his LandCruiser, and drove us over tree stumps and fields so we could spend a few hours scaling a mountain.
When we finally reached the summit, the view was breathtaking. But we didn’t pull out our phones to take a photo - not just because we were too tired, but because some things can’t be captured with a lens. Beauty like that isn’t meant to be consumed. It’s meant to be experienced with the heart.
Dane Ortlund puts it simply: the beauty of God “is not captured with a camera, but enjoyed with the heart.”
And Tim Keller draws out the distinction this way:
“The religious person finds God useful,
but the real Christian finds God beautiful.
The religious is driven; the Christian is attracted.”
That might sound subtle, but it changes everything. A follower of Jesus “doesn’t merely rationally believe that God is glorious, but has a sense of the gloriousness of God in his heart.” (Kevin J. Vanhoozer). This isn’t abstract theology - it’s what happens when the heart sees the reality of God.
In the Old Testament, to experience this glory and beauty, people like David had to go to the temple. But Hebrews tells us something astonishing: the glory of God is no longer revealed in a building, but in a person.
“He [God] has spoken to us by his Son…
He is the radiance of the glory of God
and the exact imprint of his nature.” (Hebrews 1:1–3)
The glory of God is found in Jesus. Which means that if we want to know who God is, if we want to behold His beauty, we need only look to Christ.
This becomes deeply personal. Because now, when we ask what God is like, we don’t need to speculate. We can point to Jesus.
Everything we need to know about who God truly is, we see in Jesus. Through His life, death, and resurrection, the fullness of God’s glory is revealed.
When we finally reached the summit, the view was breathtaking. But we didn’t pull out our phones to take a photo - not just because we were too tired, but because some things can’t be captured with a lens. Beauty like that isn’t meant to be consumed. It’s meant to be experienced with the heart.
Dane Ortlund puts it simply: the beauty of God “is not captured with a camera, but enjoyed with the heart.”
And Tim Keller draws out the distinction this way:
“The religious person finds God useful,
but the real Christian finds God beautiful.
The religious is driven; the Christian is attracted.”
That might sound subtle, but it changes everything. A follower of Jesus “doesn’t merely rationally believe that God is glorious, but has a sense of the gloriousness of God in his heart.” (Kevin J. Vanhoozer). This isn’t abstract theology - it’s what happens when the heart sees the reality of God.
In the Old Testament, to experience this glory and beauty, people like David had to go to the temple. But Hebrews tells us something astonishing: the glory of God is no longer revealed in a building, but in a person.
“He [God] has spoken to us by his Son…
He is the radiance of the glory of God
and the exact imprint of his nature.” (Hebrews 1:1–3)
The glory of God is found in Jesus. Which means that if we want to know who God is, if we want to behold His beauty, we need only look to Christ.
This becomes deeply personal. Because now, when we ask what God is like, we don’t need to speculate. We can point to Jesus.
- How do we know God is loving? Not because life feels comfortable, but because Jesus laid down His life for His friends (John 15:13)
- How do we know God is merciful? Not because we avoid suffering, but because Jesus suffered in our place to free us from sin. (Isaiah 53:5)
- How do we know God is powerful? Not because He removes every hardship, but because He conquered death and rose from the grave. (1 Corinthians 15:54-55)
- How do we know God is generous? Not because of material abundance, but because He shares His resurrection life with us. (Romans 6:4-5)
Everything we need to know about who God truly is, we see in Jesus. Through His life, death, and resurrection, the fullness of God’s glory is revealed.
Beholding That Transforms
So what does this mean for everyday life?
We might understand that our hearts shrink God down - that we’re tempted to imagine Him as smaller, less powerful, less present. And we might even grasp that the solution is to remember who He truly is in Jesus. But when life still feels full of pain, sorrow, and chaos - when we feel stuck in sin or crushed by circumstances - what difference does beholding Jesus really make?
Everything.
In 2 Corinthians 3:18, Paul writes:
“And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord,
are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another.”
This is the heart of it. When we behold God for who He truly is - not who we imagine Him to be - we are transformed. We’re changed into the very image of Christ, sharing in His beauty and glory. That transformation is not just for some future moment - it begins now. And it’s not superficial. It’s deep, internal, and lasting.
This is what theologians call sanctification. Jonathan Edwards called it beautification. But it’s critical to notice how this change happens. Is it through hard work, rule-following, or trying to be better? No. It happens by beholding. True transformation doesn’t come by striving - it comes by seeing. It doesn’t begin with self-effort, but with seeing the beauty of Christ. Dane Ortlund expresses this so clearly:
“We don’t kill sin the way a soldier kills an enemy in battle,
by zeroing in on the enemy himself.
Killing sin is a strange battle because it happens by looking away from the sin…
by looking at Jesus Christ.”
He goes on to say that sin loses its appeal as we become “re-enchanted” by the beauty of Jesus - just as a child’s toy cars lose their charm when they’re invited to a real racetrack. Sin begins to wilt when we’re captured by something greater - when we see Jesus in His glorious gentleness and dazzling love. Ortlund concludes:
“There is no special technique to mortifying sin.
You simply open your Bible and let God surprise you
with the wonder of his love, proven in Christ and experienced in the Spirit.”
Discipleship is not about doing more. It’s about beholding more. And as we do, God changes us from the inside out.
We might understand that our hearts shrink God down - that we’re tempted to imagine Him as smaller, less powerful, less present. And we might even grasp that the solution is to remember who He truly is in Jesus. But when life still feels full of pain, sorrow, and chaos - when we feel stuck in sin or crushed by circumstances - what difference does beholding Jesus really make?
Everything.
In 2 Corinthians 3:18, Paul writes:
“And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord,
are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another.”
This is the heart of it. When we behold God for who He truly is - not who we imagine Him to be - we are transformed. We’re changed into the very image of Christ, sharing in His beauty and glory. That transformation is not just for some future moment - it begins now. And it’s not superficial. It’s deep, internal, and lasting.
This is what theologians call sanctification. Jonathan Edwards called it beautification. But it’s critical to notice how this change happens. Is it through hard work, rule-following, or trying to be better? No. It happens by beholding. True transformation doesn’t come by striving - it comes by seeing. It doesn’t begin with self-effort, but with seeing the beauty of Christ. Dane Ortlund expresses this so clearly:
“We don’t kill sin the way a soldier kills an enemy in battle,
by zeroing in on the enemy himself.
Killing sin is a strange battle because it happens by looking away from the sin…
by looking at Jesus Christ.”
He goes on to say that sin loses its appeal as we become “re-enchanted” by the beauty of Jesus - just as a child’s toy cars lose their charm when they’re invited to a real racetrack. Sin begins to wilt when we’re captured by something greater - when we see Jesus in His glorious gentleness and dazzling love. Ortlund concludes:
“There is no special technique to mortifying sin.
You simply open your Bible and let God surprise you
with the wonder of his love, proven in Christ and experienced in the Spirit.”
Discipleship is not about doing more. It’s about beholding more. And as we do, God changes us from the inside out.
The Heart of Discipleship
This is the heart of discipleship: a real, joyful relationship with Jesus where His beauty doesn’t just inspire us - it transforms us.
That’s why we must keep asking: Who are we imagining God to be?
But if we believe Jesus is the glory of the Lord - if we open His Word and behold Him for who He truly is - then we’re not pushed away.
We’re drawn in. We want to know Him, love Him, and trust Him. Our hearts are pulled toward Him instead of hiding in fear.
So hear this clearly: your first step, your second step, and every step after that in following Jesus isn’t about doing more. It’s about beholding Him. Because as we do, the lies our hearts have believed about God begin to unravel, and the truth of who He really is takes their place.
This is our prayer for your heart throughout the journey of discipleship:
That’s why we must keep asking: Who are we imagining God to be?
- If we believe He’s angry, we’ll keep Him at a safe distance.
- If we believe He’s cold and detached, we’ll assume He doesn’t care.
- If we believe He’s a harsh taskmaster, we’ll live as though His love depends on our performance.
But if we believe Jesus is the glory of the Lord - if we open His Word and behold Him for who He truly is - then we’re not pushed away.
We’re drawn in. We want to know Him, love Him, and trust Him. Our hearts are pulled toward Him instead of hiding in fear.
So hear this clearly: your first step, your second step, and every step after that in following Jesus isn’t about doing more. It’s about beholding Him. Because as we do, the lies our hearts have believed about God begin to unravel, and the truth of who He really is takes their place.
This is our prayer for your heart throughout the journey of discipleship:
- That the gentle but powerful work of the Holy Spirit
- would draw you into the light of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ,
- exposing and untangling the lies your heart has imagined,
- and filling you instead with the truth of who He really is,
- freeing you to enjoy a life transformed into His likeness
- from one degree of glory to the next.
So fix your eyes on Him.
Let His beauty captivate your soul.
Let His truth transform your heart.
Because when you behold Him, you don’t just learn more about God - you become more like Him.
Let His beauty captivate your soul.
Let His truth transform your heart.
Because when you behold Him, you don’t just learn more about God - you become more like Him.
Get to the Heart
1. How have you personally experienced God’s character in your life?
2. Which aspect of God’s character is most meaningful to you right now, and why?
3. What tends to be your default view of God?
What are you believing about God based on your experiences, fears or emotions?
4. What does Scripture actually say about God?
5. How can you grow in beholding and trusting more of God’s character?
6. What specific step will you take to replace lies?
2. Which aspect of God’s character is most meaningful to you right now, and why?
3. What tends to be your default view of God?
What are you believing about God based on your experiences, fears or emotions?
4. What does Scripture actually say about God?
5. How can you grow in beholding and trusting more of God’s character?
6. What specific step will you take to replace lies?
Continue below for an expanded version of these questions, with examples and suggestions to help guide your reflections.
Get to the Heart (Expanded)
1. How have you personally experienced God’s character in your life?
2. Which aspect of God’s character is most meaningful to you right now, and why?
3. What tends to be your default view of God?
What are you believing about God based on your experiences, fears or emotions?
4. What does Scripture actually say about God?
Now compare your assumption with what the Bible says.
Some examples:
5. How can you grow in beholding and trusting more of God’s character?
6. What specific step will you take to replace lies?
- Think back to a time when God’s love, justice, mercy, or holiness (or any other characteristic) became real to you.
- How did that experience shape your understanding of who God is? Did it challenge or deepen your faith?
- What did you learn about His nature that you can carry with you into future challenges?
2. Which aspect of God’s character is most meaningful to you right now, and why?
- Is there a specific characteristic that resonates with your current season of life or personal experiences?
- For example, do you find hope in God’s faithfulness because you’ve experienced uncertainty, or comfort in His mercy because you’ve felt the weight of guilt?
- Share how this aspect of who God is has encouraged or challenged you.
3. What tends to be your default view of God?
What are you believing about God based on your experiences, fears or emotions?
- When you pray, do you see Him as distant or close?
- When life is hard, do you assume He is withholding, uncaring, or punishing you?
- When you sin, do you believe He is disappointed, angry, or ready to abandon you?
4. What does Scripture actually say about God?
Now compare your assumption with what the Bible says.
Some examples:
- If you assume God is distant, read Psalm 34:18
- If you assume God is powerless, read Jeremiah 32:27
- If you assume God is angry and impatient, read Exodus 34:6
5. How can you grow in beholding and trusting more of God’s character?
- Are there characteristics of God you tend to overlook or struggle to believe in your daily life (e.g., His justice, wisdom, or compassion)?
- What could you do this week to intentionally focus on a characteristic of God that you’ve perhaps neglected?
- Consider practical steps such as praying specifically about that characteristic, meditating on Scripture, or asking others in your community how they’ve experienced it.
6. What specific step will you take to replace lies?
- What is one lie you’ve believed about God that you need to let go of?
- What scripture will you hold onto this week to replace that lie with truth?
- How can you make beholding God’s beauty a daily habit (prayer, Scripture, worship, community)?