For many, discipleship is more about what you know than it is about what you love. James K.A. Smith, in his excellent book, You Are What You Love, challenges the assumption that drives this cognition-as-belief model of discipleship.
Smith suggests that “Discipleship is a way to curate your heart, to be attentive to and intentional about what you love.”
He argues, quite persuasively, that discipleship is an issue of what we love more than it is one of what we know.
Smith, I believe, is right. He and a host of others have tapped into the modern-day disciples’ central challenge: recognizing and identifying one’s loves and desires. He has also tapped into one of Jesus’ main concerns: that we express our loves and desires to Him so that He might guide our loves and desires toward Him.
In a particularly compelling section of the Gospel of Luke, we encounter a disciple who expresses an earnest desire.
It’s a moment when the disciple asks for something that’s dear to his heart.
He asks if Jesus might teach him to pray.
Noticing Jesus engaged in the practice of prayer must have awakened a desire deep within. A longing to commune with the Father. Perhaps even a longing to live the type of life that they saw Jesus living.
In Luke 11:1 we read:
“Once Jesus was in a certain place praying. As he finished, one of his disciples came to him and said, ‘Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.’”
I wonder what I would have done if I’d have spied our Savior in prayer? My hunch is I’d have asked Him how to get answers for my prayers. Or, I might ask Him why my prayers remain unanswered. I might even wonder why He bothered to pray.
Each response would reveal something about my desires. Each response would be an indication of the type of treasures and loves I harbor in my heart.
Beginning Sunday, April 30th, we will explore the nature of discipleship and what it means to be a Christ-follower in today’s world.
The class is called Connections and Convictions. If you are new to Pillar, or would simply love to explore growing in Christ together, then join us from 8:30 – 9:45.
We need you to register by emailing Amy Wolf at [email protected].
Happy Resurrection Day!
Disrupting to Renew.
