Lent is a great season to talk about discipleship. It's a time of year when individually and corporately we reflect on God's work in our lives and our response to that work, that is, our discipleship. On what do we base our understanding of following Jesus? How and why are we disciples?

Here are five "Great" foundations for being disciples.

The Great Redemption

John 3:16- God loves the world-all of us, not just some elite few. Because of that love we have received God's profound grace, and it colors everything we do.

'For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.'

The Great Commandment

Matthew 22:37-39- Love of God and neighbor underscores all our activity.   Loving God and neighbor means that a disciple is not self-focused, but focused outward, away from personal preferences and prejudices.

He said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind."This is the greatest and first commandment.And a second is like it: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."

The Great Commitment

Matthew 16:24- We willingly surrender to God's call in all our work.   Taking up our cross does not mean simply dealing with the random difficulties of life, rather it is following Jesus in the way of humility, self-sacrifice, and even suffering for Christ's sake. Taking up the cross is not a one-time thing for the disciple, it is a life-long, learned behavior.

Then Jesus told his disciples, "If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me."

The Great Call

Micah 6:8- We seek always to do the right thing, even if it is not the easy thing.   The prophet's words are really quite clear.

What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

The Great Commission

Matthew 28:19-20- Our joyful task is to bring others into the fellowship of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you.

These foundations are "great" things to think about during Lent, as you reflect on your journey as a disciple.

Lenten blessings,

PD