Dear Beloved,
In the life of a disciple, hearing and obeying the Word of God are not two distinct options but one seamless act of faith. Scripture makes it clear that understanding God’s Word requires both listening to it and living it out. To truly know the gospel, we must embody its truths through obedience, allowing the Word to shape every part of who we are—mind, body, and soul.
This integrated approach to discipleship is what I call whole-bodied discipleship.
It’s a way of following Jesus that embraces the totality of His call: to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love our neighbors as ourselves (Mark 12:30-31). It’s not a concept we admire from a distance; it’s a mandate we live out in the interconnected work of our churches and initiatives.
Hearing and Obeying: Two Sides of the Same Coin
James 1:22 urges us to “be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” Discipleship becomes empty when we hear God’s Word but fail to live it out. On the other hand, obedience without true listening disconnects us from God’s heart.
True discipleship holds these together—we listen deeply to God’s Word, allowing it to shape us, and respond with obedience that reflects His truth. This transforms not just individuals but whole communities, producing love, justice, and mission.
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Interdependence in Whole-Bodied Discipleship
At Beloved Community, we live out discipleship together because no church or initiative can thrive alone. As members of one Body (1 Corinthians 12:12-27), we depend on one another to hear and obey God’s Word in unity.
Our churches and initiatives share resources, encourage one another, and work in partnership to ensure every community is equipped for discipleship. This is more than a vision—it’s a mandate. By practicing discipleship together, we reflect God’s kingdom, where unity and mission flow out of diversity and interdependence.
Living in Community and Mission
Whole-bodied discipleship happens through community and mission. In community, we encourage and hold one another accountable to live out the Word we hear. In mission, we proclaim and embody the gospel in the world.
This rhythm of hearing and obeying shapes every part of our lives, drawing us closer to God and one another. When we live this way, our faith is not just spoken—it’s seen and felt in action.
A Call to Commitment
Whole-bodied discipleship is not optional. It’s the life we’re called to live together. At Beloved Community, we commit to hearing and obeying God’s Word through shared community and mission. Every church and initiative in our network plays a role in this work as we walk together in unity, reflecting Christ to the world. Let us listen to the Word and obey it as one faithful response. Let us live interconnected lives that transform our communities. And let us trust God to work through our shared discipleship to bring His kingdom on earth as it is in heaven.