Young and Called: Living as a Disciple of Jesus in the 21st Century
Posted: July 13th, 2026
Discipleship is a lifelong process of following Jesus Christ, intentionally learning his teachings, and conforming one's life to His example. But why should a young person like me disciple others in the 21st century? Didn’t Jesus pay it all? To answer these questions, let’s look at examples from the Bible and our everyday lives, as well as what it means to be a disciple of Jesus.
There are many examples of discipleship in the Bible. One of the greatest examples of discipleship is Paul. He travelled to many places where people hated God or did not believe in Him. Paul spoke bravely about Jesus and the good news, even though he knew the consequences. He was hit, spat on and thrown in jail, but he still kept the faith.
Discipleship in the 21st century involves dedicating oneself to the Lord by following His principles and learning more about Him. It means being willing to do anything for Jesus, even if it means facing death. Discipleship builds character before fame, because heaven is not impressed with followers. It begins when someone invests time and effort in sharing the character of Jesus with others.
In my daily life, I follow Jesus by praying, reading the Bible, and telling my friends about Him. On my 10th birthday, I was baptised. The first step in discipleship is to pray, read the Bible, and embrace responsibility and leadership. Discipleship balances truth and love to produce lasting change in the person being mentored or taught about Jesus.
In this digital age, even with social media and the internet, you should still disciple people both in person and online. As you disciple others, remind them that growth will bring setbacks, struggles, and rejection from loved ones. Show them that by studying God's Word, they can overcome any obstacle they may encounter. Teach them about the power of prayer. Explain that God will always provide guidance and that prayer is foundational, giving strength in both good and bad times.
In conclusion, discipleship is something Christians of all ages, including young people like me, should be doing. It is a lifelong journey of growing closer to Jesus and helping others do the same. As we share the good news with more people, they can also tell others about Jesus. In this way, more lives can be changed, and more people can come to know and follow Him.
Eric Robinson
Immanuel Seventh-day Adventist Church