Discipleship: Journey of Personal Transformation in Christ

GUIZHOU, China – What does discipleship look like in your specific context?

An Guangde, 30, a recent graduate of Sichuan Theological Seminary, has gained new perspectives through teaching and facilitating a discipleship course based on Abundant Life, a discipleship curriculum published and used by the China Christian Council & TSPM with the support of the United Bible Societies (UBS).

An started serving a year ago at Honghuagang Christian Church, situated in a tourist area in Zunyi. He shared that in the process of preparing for and teaching the discipleship course, he himself has benefited tremendously from it.

Personally Transformative

An shared candidly that as a young Bible teacher transitioning from a rural farming background to the bustling city, there have been challenges. "Things are more complicated in the city and there are various temptations in our modern society!"

Hence, he deeply appreciates the content of the Abundant Life curriculum, especially the sessions on how to overcome Satan, fleshly temptations and worldly desires. “These three lessons have been personally transformative for me and, by God’s grace, I experienced a sense of inner peace after learning to overcome the enemy and letting go of fleshly pursuits.”

"By God’s grace, I experienced a sense of inner peace after learning to overcome the enemy and letting go of fleshly pursuits.”

Another blessing An experienced is the joy while teaching the course. “During one of the sessions, I sensed that I was able to explain the biblical truths such that it came right from my heart, with deep conviction and resonance. Then, there arose within me a deep sense of gratitude and, along with that, a smile on my face. At that moment, I uttered a prayer quietly, ‘Lord, thank you for setting me free from the bondage of sin.’” 

Critical Need for the Discipleship Course

As An personally benefited from the course, he also saw the dire need for his fellow believers to be grounded in their faith in a more systematic way. “The church is located at a busy junction of the city. We have seen some members whose faith foundations are not strong and are susceptible to various negative influences from the society.”

An further noted that this is especially true for new and young believers. “Without proper spiritual care and nurturing, they can easily deviate from the biblical truths, or fall prey to heretical teachings. Hence, building and strengthening their faith is paramount.”

For this purpose, An found the content of Abundant Life suitable and helpful. “It is very well-structured, the sub-sections in each lesson revolve around a central theme, helping learners remember, meditate, and reflect on it from various angles. It is also comprehensive and has significantly aided believers in having a clearer and deeper understanding of their faith.”

For instance, An highlighted the first lesson, which emphasises the transformation that comes with new life in Christ, "Only with this new life, can believers understand the concepts of repentance and forgiveness that follow."

An firmly believes that being a disciple of Christ is more than having head knowledge or mouthing the right words. One should also have an internal transformation where Jesus truly becomes the Saviour and Lord of one's life. “External forms do not change a person's life since one might still be prone to doubting and backsliding in times of adversity.”

A Continuation of Discipleship Journey

An knew that faith has to be real and personal from his own experience. Coming from the Da Hua Miao ethnic group, where Christianity has been passed down through several generations, he has once rested on ‘the laurels’ of his faith heritage. In fact, his faith heritage dates back to 1903 when his family belonged to one of the first 100 households in the village to embrace Christianity.

However, as time passed, An realised that his family faith heritage differs from his personal faith. He has to experience and understand his own faith and build a personal relationship with God.

Therefore, after studying at the Guizhou Bible School for three years, An decided to pursue further education at Sichuan Theological Seminary to gain a deeper understanding of his own faith. "I wanted to have a clearer understanding of my faith and establish a more intimate relationship with God," he said.

Upon graduation, An actively participated in various church ministries, including Sunday preaching, training, and serving the seniors. During this journey, he became a teacher for the church's Abundant Life discipleship course, an experience that not only brought him great delight and joy but also a continuation of his personal transformation in Christ. That is what discipleship looks like for An in his context.