I’m always on the lookout for resources that can help young adults understand what it means to be a disciple of Jesus and how that affects every aspect of their life. When young adults begin to embrace that following Christ is not just a part of their life, but it is their life, you’ll see a young adult that has been completely transformed for the gospel.
Recently, Lifeway released a new resource called Disciples Path: The Journey. I’m convinced that young adult ministries would benefit significantly by leading their small groups through this resource over the coming year.
Why am I convinced? Here a few reasons.
- Disciples Path: The Journey is progressive.
If you are anything like me, you want to know where you’re going. When I travel I want to look at the map before I take off so that I know what to expect. This resource helps young adults understand that a walk with Christ is progressive – it’s walking toward maturity in Christ and not simply wandering aimlessly. Disciples Path: The Journey gives clear direction on how to be purposeful in our walk of growing as a disciple of Jesus.
- Disciples Path: The Journey is disciplined.
Young adults want to know that what they’re learning is not simply information, but that it’s going to intersect with the everyday moments of their lives. Disciples Path: The Journey emphasizes the discipline of doing what the scripture commands us to do. Being a disciple of Jesus is not a suggestion, but a way of life. Clear directions are given each week on what that looks like and accountability within the group setting is part of the design.
- Disciples Path: The Journey is relational.
Being a Christ-follower isn’t an individual activity to be done alone—it’s to be grounded in relationships. Disciples Path: The Journey emphasizes key discipleship relationships with individuals that young adults are walking with and serving alongside within the church.
- Disciples Path: The Journey is replicable.
Disciple-making is meant to be on ongoing characteristic of Christ-followers. Young adults need to be given the challenge to replicate what they have seen and learned as a follower of Jesus. Disciples Path: The Journey is distinctly designed to help disciples replicate what they have experienced with others that they disciple along the way.
I’m convinced that we have an opportunity to set young adults on a course of being deeply passionate about what it means to be a follower of Jesus. But we must be intentional about that task! The Disciples Path: The Journey is a tool that helps in that intentionality.
Do me a favor—check it out. There’s a free three-session offer if you go to http://www.lifeway.com/n/Product-Family/Disciples-Path.
It’s an exciting time to be a leader in young adult ministry. Let’s be intentional in how we help them understand what being a disciple of Jesus truly is!
Mark Whitt is the Collegiate and Young Adult Specialist at Lifeway Christian Resources. Before joining Lifeway, he spent many years on the campus of Murray State University as a campus minister. Connect with Mark via Twitter.
