Matthew 28:19; ‘Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit’.

Take a minute to think about the word ‘disciple’. What does it mean to you?

‘Mathéteuó’ is the Greek word and it means to be instructed, to be trained, to become a learner.  A disciple lives a transformed lifestyle founded upon scriptural truths.

A disciple is someone who wholeheartedly follows. They are free to follow, undistracted and single minded. The best followers love who they follow. They are led by their heart, not their obligations.

Jesus emphasises the need for truth in our following. He says the truth sets us free. Truth gives us permission to be loved, to be safe and fills us with courage and boldness to make disciples.

As I travel with Fusion, I’m bumping in to students who are excited to follow Jesus. I know, shocking! Following isn’t a downer, it makes them happy because they are focusing on the truth, the truth that sets them free. No longer are they ‘trying’ to evangelise. They know love himself! They are living evidence of 1 John 4:19 – ‘we love because he first loved us’.

Speaking out declarations can be a helpful tool in our  ‘truth-training’. It renews our mind to remember who God is.

I experienced the power of declarations in my own life a few years ago. It was a time of feeling low and powerless.

A friend, Abbie, began to call me by a new name. Whenever Abbie saw me, she said; “Hello, mighty man!”. In no sense did I feel mighty, I felt the opposite. If I’m honest, it was so far from what I was feeling, her words frustrated me.

I was frustrated because I wanted to be free and know God’s power again. As I look back, Abbie was speaking out what I couldn’t see. The power and might of God had never left me. Despite my feelings, she saw the power of Christ working in me. Over time, her words were healing and prophetically ushered me into knowing my empowerment and strength in Christ.

Abbie was obedient to speak out what she saw. She couldn’t see the impact her words were having but she did it anyway. Do you know a student who needs some hope? I want to encourage you to tell them the truth. You might want to give them a new name.

I asked some friends of mine what their favourite declarations were. This is what they came up with!

1. I am a citizen in God’s kingdom, I abide in him and find peace.
2. God is not controlling, he wants to partner with me in what he’s doing.
3. God is orchestrating my life, he loves me without ceasing and gives me endless joy.
4. I am made in God’s image. I can create good things like he does.
5. I am fully redeemed, forgiven and a new creation but am still uniquely me.
6. The lord is my shepherd. I lack nothing.
7. My God is irreversible, unbreakable, eternal and closer than my next breath. I am at one with Jesus, the Father and the Holy Spirit.
8. God first loved me so I can love others in the same way.
9. I am equipped to live life to the full and bring others into that life who do not know it yet.
10. I am a light and a breath of fresh air to all that I come across, wherever I go.