One challenge in writing discipleship content online is the temptation to make every post feel urgent or critically important. When everything is framed as a must-do, nothing stands out.
Disciples of Jesus Christ face constant opportunity for overwhelm: Bible reading every day, prayer, meditation, stewarding finances, leading family, eating clean, walking, lifting, church, serving. “How do I do all of it?”
Today I’ll tell you exactly how.
The single concept that cuts through the noise and reduces stress is ownership. Ownership means you are the driving force behind how your life is lived in service to Jesus Christ. The standards that govern your life belong to Christ alone — He bled and died for you, so He sets the rules. Ownership is pursuing Him and His program: immersing yourself in who God is and what He wants to do in and through your life.
The American Church largely fails to teach this. Ownership is taking full responsibility for what you believe and how it shows up day to day. Many churches avoid it, perhaps fearing you’ll “get it wrong.” I understand the concern — I don’t want you to miss the mark either. But if your heart truly desires to seek God in Christ, become the man He created you to be, and fulfill His purposes, then trust His promise:
“…he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:6)
Ownership begins in the mind — the real battlefield. Your old thought patterns, the world’s daily barrage, the enemy’s arguments — all must be confronted. A true disciple does not outsource his thinking.
“We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.” (2 Corinthians 10:5)
Ownership also means owning your role in the process. Philippians 2:12–13 captures the tension perfectly:
“…work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”
The command is yours — “work out your own salvation” — yet God is the one working in you. The New Testament paints a clear picture of what that work looks like, but ownership means you make it your own. Don’t blindly accept what others say it should be; it’s your responsibility to wrestle with it under Christ.
Yes, you’ll need help along the way. But if that help simply tells you what to believe and do, it short-circuits the process. God works in the process. My role is to be a general guide, to answer questions when asked, but never to dictate. Read my posts — I don’t tell you what to think or mandate exact steps. I trust God to do His work in you. Your response shows your level of ownership.
What ownership looks like in practice
- Understanding your context. Different situations and people require different responses. No blind action here.
- Understanding yourself. Learn your strengths and weaknesses. Focus on strengths and address weaknesses.
- Taking responsibility for outcomes. No blame-shifting here. We are responsible for our own behaviors and responses.
- Developing your own views in submission to Scripture and the Spirit. Think critically. Wrestle with truth. Don’t simply parrot what you hear or experience.
You won’t find Individual Scripture verses that simply tell you how to make singular daily decisions. Most of it is done by principle. Daily Scriptural immersion, with your mind set on God will produce daily decisions that honor God, and these compound into you being the Man God intended you to be.
At first this can feel like one more thing on an overloaded plate. I see it as profoundly empowering. In Christ you’re given wisdom to choose what to prioritize and when — all in service to Him. Moving from where you are to spiritual maturity isn’t overnight. It’s incremental, slower than we’d like.
Direction over speed. Consistency over perfection. Ownership understands this and makes wise choices about what to focus on now and what can wait.
Take ownership of your discipleship today. Your future, spiritually mature self will be grateful you chose wisely.
Pete is Out.