I don’t know about you but when I hear the word discipleship I think of Jesus and His twelve. It sounds more like a Bible story or watching The Chosen. In my wildest of thoughts I never thought that discipleship had anything to do with me or anyone for that matter. This was until Pastor Muriithi Wanjau, our senior shepherd or discipler at Mavuno church started teaching us on discipleship and we started shifting from the culture of life groups (corporate structures) to discipleship groups (life on life) popularly known as DGs. This was quite a culture shift which I followed out of obedience but without understanding. With time I started getting a thing or two about discipleship which have convinced me that discipleship is not just another Christianese term but rather a transformational way of life that was modelled by Jesus and He started with the twelve and here we are now still following. I am convinced that it is the only way out.
Discipleship Redefined.
For a moment let us look at the foundational scripture on discipleship – Mathew 28: 19-20. This is the instruction that Jesus left for the disciples. Pastor Lincoln Serwanga of Liberty Christian Fellowship breaks down the great commission scripture into very understandable and relatable words. This is what he says “ Go install in the nations an ancient learning system which runs on relational commitment , child-like instruction, imitational followership and spiritual parenting. In that context, teach them the things that I have taught you.” This isn’t just church talk; it’s a blueprint for transforming the marketplace. How can we, who are in business, apply this ancient wisdom to our modern challenges? Let me share my thoughts on this and also share some tools that can be useful in implementing this in a business environment.
Discipleship in Business
The truth is that the principles of discipleship are universally applicable. I am an accountant and in my journey of becoming an accountant, I had to follow the laid down startands of accounting that were set by those who were ahead of me. Think about a student going through an internship, or a seasoned entrepreneur guiding a person who is starting that journey. These are just examples of discipleship. The main question is how do we make these spaces of discipleship in the marketplace or business framework more applicable and intentional? Let us build on the broken down Mathew 28:19-20 by Pastor Lincoln.
Relational Commitment – Vulnerability
Discipleship isn’t transactional but rather built on relationships. The foundation of discipleship is genuine love, trust, vulnerability, and genuine care. I have included the word genuine because most of the time when we love or care it is because we expect something in return. In business terms this can be referred to as CSR ( corporate social responsibility). The implication of having these foundations in place translates to more than just assigning tasks. It means investing time in your team, understanding their aspirations, and creating a safe space for them to learn and grow. It’s about building a culture where people feel valued, not just utilized. This kind of relational commitment fosters loyalty, boosts morale, and ultimately drives better business outcomes. It makes people feel part of the business and they buy more into the vision. In other words it fosters ownership. As a leader in business you should try this.
Child-like Instruction – Embracing a Learning Posture
In essence, this implies that we should create a teachable space or environment in business which fosters a culture of continuous learning where questions are encouraged, mistakes are seen as opportunities for growth, and everyone, regardless of their position, is open to receiving instruction. This applies to both the mentor and the mentee. The mentor must be willing to break down complex concepts into digestible pieces, and the mentee must be willing to receive feedback and apply it. The mentor should also be willing to learn from the mentee. An environment of humility should be created where no one is puffed up with their position or knowledge.
Imitational Followership: Do as I do and as I say.
Discipleship involves learning by observing and imitating. In business, this means providing opportunities for your team to shadow you, delegate more to the ones you are mentoring, and embrace a culture of learning by example. It’s about demonstrating the values and principles you want to instill, not just talking about them. It’s about being a role model, both in your professional skills and your character. By implementing such in a business setup, the organizational culture is passed down.
Spiritual Parenting: Guiding and Empowering
Spiritual parenting speaks to the nurturing and empowering aspect of discipleship. It’s about playing the role of a parent to those you are leading. It’s about providing guidance, support, and encouragement, helping others discover their strengths and reach their full potential. Calling out what you see in those you lead and helping them on the journey of becoming. In business, this means investing in your team’s development, providing opportunities for advancement, and celebrating their successes. It’s about equipping them with the tools and resources they need to thrive.
The Practical Part.
Mentorship Programs: Formalize the discipleship process by creating structured mentorship programs within your organization. You can even organize for your team to do Mizizi – it is a discipleship and leadership book written by Pastor Muriithi Wanjau. This is a great discipleship tool. You can get it online on amazon – Click Here to buy it.
Regular Check-ins: Schedule regular one-on-one meetings with your team members, not just to discuss tasks, but to discuss their growth and development as well as challenges they face both at work and outside work. Make this also as an accountability space to foster growth.
Skill-Sharing Sessions: Encourage experienced team members to share their knowledge and expertise with others through workshops or training sessions.
Lead by Example: Be the kind of leader you want your team to emulate. Demonstrate the values and principles you believe in.
Create a Culture of Feedback: Foster an environment where feedback is given and received openly and constructively.
I believe that if we practice these and many more things surrounding discipleship in the marketplace, we shall turn around the vices we see in the business environment. My prayer is for us to embrace pouring out into others without the fear of them becoming better than us.
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