DiscipleSHIFT: A Radical Call for the New Year
As the calendar turns to a new year, many of us feel inspired to set goals, reorganize our lives, and pursue new opportunities. As we plan for 2025, we must ask ourselves: are our lives aligned with Christ's eternal mission? Are we truly following Him as His disciples?
In Matthew 4:19, Jesus calls Peter and Andrew to leave their productive fishing business and become productive spiritually, as “fishers of men.” This was not just a call to action but a complete transformation of their purpose. Similarly, in Luke 9:23-24, Jesus reminds us that discipleship requires denying ourselves, carrying our cross daily, and following Him. This usually isn’t a comfortable journey; it’s a daily decision to live for Christ rather than for ourselves.
And yet, despite Jesus’ clear command, less than 5% of U.S. churches are truly disciple-making churches. Many focus on programs, attendance, or entertainment rather than equipping believers to grow and multiply their faith. This lack of intentional disciple-making hinders the transformative impact the church is called to have on the world.
Reorganizing for God’s Eternal Purpose
In their book 10x Is Easier Than 2x, Dr. Benjamin Hardy and Dan Sullivan challenge readers to rethink their approach to growth and success. They argue that achieving extraordinary, exponential results (10x growth) requires a shift in mindset and strategy, rather than simply working harder at the same level (2x growth). This principle applies powerfully to discipleship.
Too often, we settle for incremental spiritual growth or small contributions to Christ’s mission. But what if, instead of aiming for “just enough,” we embraced the 10x mindset in our faith? What if we reorganized our lives to focus on Christ’s eternal purpose—making disciples—on a grander scale?
This shift isn’t about doing more, rather doing what truly matters. It’s about aligning every aspect of our lives with the mission of Jesus, letting go of distractions, and focusing on what has eternal significance.
Quality over quantity.
Jesus understood this by investing deeply in His twelve disciples. Rather than focusing on the masses, He focused on a few knowing the ripple effect would change the world.
Like the principles in 10x Is Easier Than 2x, the impact of discipleship grows exponentially when we focus on what matters most. One disciple-making disciple can multiply into thousands - potentially millions - over time. But this starts with a willingness to embrace the true cost of discipleship: daily surrender, intentional focus, and a reorganization of our lives around Christ’s mission.
When we commit to following Jesus fully and making disciples, we become part of this ripple effect that transforms lives, families, and communities, and potentially the world!
The New Year: A Catalyst for Change
The new year is the perfect time to reflect and reset. Use this time to evaluate your priorities:
What are you holding onto that prevents you from fully following Jesus? Like Peter and Andrew leaving their nets, what do you need to surrender to actively fish for souls?
Are you living with a 10x mindset for Christ’s mission? Are you seeking ways to multiply your faith through intentional disciple-making?
How can you reorganize your life to reflect Christ’s eternal mission? Consider your time, relationships, and resources—are they invested in God’s kingdom?
Prayer and Call To Action
Lord, thank You for calling us to follow You. As we enter this new year, help us to deny ourselves, take up our cross daily, and fully embrace the cost of discipleship. Reorganize our hearts, minds, and lives to align with Your eternal purpose. Use this new year to ignite a fresh passion for Your mission in our lives. Let us be part of the 5% who proiritize disciple-making, embracing the challenge and opportunity to live for what truly matters.
~ Originally from PA, Jennifer Korinchak became smitten with the Lake Norman area back in the early 2000s. She has lived here since 2014 and has been attending Life Fellowship with her husband Nate, and son Caleb since 2020.