Seeing Visions & Dreaming Dreams | Week 2

08-30-2026 Seeing Visions & Dreaming Dreams | Week 2 On Discipleship – Pastor Dave Brown and Discipleship Pastor Alison Myers In Week 2 of Seeing Visions & Dreaming Dreams, Pastor Dave Brown and Discipleship Pastor Alison Myers explore one of the most important questions of the Christian faith: What does it mean to be a disciple of Jesus? Drawing from Jesus' call of the first disciples in Mark 1, Alison defines a disciple simply as someone who accepts Jesus' invitation to follow Him by actually following Him. The conversation challenges common assumptions that discipleship is primarily about gaining biblical knowledge or mastering doctrine. While truth and theology matter deeply, Dave and Alison emphasize that discipleship is fundamentally about a relationship with Jesus that shapes every part of life. A key theme throughout the discussion is that being a Christian and being a disciple are not separate things. Too often, discipleship is treated like an optional upgrade for especially committed believers. Instead, they argue that Scripture presents discipleship as the normal Christian life. To be a Christian is to be a follower of Jesus who is continually becoming more like Him. The conversation highlights Jesus' invitation in John 15 to "abide" in Him. Alison describes abiding as making our home in Jesus: finding in Him the place where we are most known, most loved, and most secure. Following Jesus is not merely an intellectual exercise but a daily practice of orienting our lives, attention, and affections toward Him. Dave and Alison also reflect on the disciples' journey of faith. Although the first disciples immediately left everything to follow Jesus, it took years of walking with Him before they fully grasped who He was. Their story reminds us that discipleship is not an instant transformation but a lifelong process of growing in trust, faith, and obedience. Using John Mark Comer's framework, Alison summarizes discipleship as: Being with Jesus Becoming like Jesus Doing what Jesus did Rather than a program or formula, discipleship is a relationship that gradually shapes us into people who reflect Christ's character and love. What receives our attention eventually gains our affection, making the intentional pursuit of Jesus essential to spiritual growth. Another major emphasis is the importance of community. Dave and Alison stress that discipleship was never meant to be lived alone. Jesus called individuals to follow Him, but He called them to follow Him together. Through authentic Christian relationships, believers experience the love, encouragement, and presence of Christ in ways that are impossible in isolation. The discussion concludes with Alison's vision for Redeemer: a church where people are known, loved, and transformed by Jesus; where believers demonstrate patience, kindness, humility, perseverance, and truth; and where the world recognizes Christ's disciples by the way they love one another. Ultimately, this conversation reminds us that discipleship is not about achieving spiritual perfection. It is about responding to Jesus' invitation, walking with Him daily, and allowing His love to transform us together as the body of Christ.