The invitation to be part of this 25th anniversary edition of the Covenant Discipleship Quarterly comes as a profound privilege. It is heartening to recall how many of us across the years have found Covenant Discipleship groups a true compass heading for our walk with Christ. It is also humbling to realize that accounting for our discipleship is the least we can do for Jesus, given what he has done for us.

Not a Program

As we always point out at seminars and workshops, CD groups are not a program: They ask for a lifetime commitment. Programs tend to be passing phenomena in the church, with limited expectations. Even in Disciple Bible Study, one of the most effective programs to emerge in our generation, there is closure. After reading the Bible faithfully for 34 weeks, graduates are encouraged to develop their discipleship through what they have learned; they are also offered the possibility of additional Disciple courses; but no further commitment is required. Whatever they do next, whether part of a program or just on their own, it is always a matter of personal preference.

Blunt Words from Jesus

It must quickly be said that Disciple Bible Study and other fine programs provide a deep faith enrichment for countless church members, and indeed for countless congregations. But at some point, we have to deal with the blunt, even brutal, words of Jesus: "Whoever comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and even life itself, cannot be my disciple" (Luke 14:26, NRSV).

While Covenant Discipleship does not always lead us to this depth of commitment, it is invariably a major step in that direction. Week by week, as the straightforward accounting of our discipleship probes and stretches us, we are confronted by the demands of Jesus much more than if we were left with our own preferences — and prejudices. The covenant we make to follow the teachings of Jesus prevents us from playing fast and loose with our call.¹

A Simple Yes or No

Jesus did not say to Simon, Andrew, James, and John, "Follow me for a few weeks, and then let's see if I've met your expectations." He asked for a simple yes or no. It was reassuring 25 years ago to find that there were indeed those who were ready to make such a commitment. It is even more reassuring to find their number growing in Covenant Discipleship groups across the church today.

A Powerful Witness

This witness is not new. Accountable disciples have given course correction to the church in every generation during the past two millennia, and, as we begin the third millennium, they have never been more needed. In a culture that worships personal choice and has managed to deceive much of the church into the same idolatry, members of Covenant Discipleship groups testify to the direct call of Jesus in their lives. As they "watch over each other in love" and endeavor to center their discipleship on Christ, they are truly a means of grace for their congregations, and indeed for the whole church.

The Necessity of Discipleship

This is why "the people called Methodists" have carried their nickname for almost 300 years. Some of Wesley's earliest directives made clear that the gospel does not merely foster obedient discipleship, but requires it. The General Rules of the United Societies, first published in 1743, provide more than guidelines for living in the world. They stipulate that the disciplines of the Christian life — works of mercy and works of piety — are the condition of being a Christian.²

According to the General Rules, following the teachings of Jesus is not optional for the Christian disciple, but necessary. If we do not seek to walk as Jesus walked, we weaken and ultimately break our covenant relationship with God. When we come home to God's household, we must accept God's house rules or risk becoming prodigals again.³

Avoiding Self-Deception

The purpose of Covenant Discipleship has always been to help us with these house rules. Weekly accountability helps us avoid the self-deception of claiming the identity of a Christian disciple, yet largely pleasing ourselves in how we live it out.

In the plethora of small groups across the church today, it is sometimes forgotten that the class meetings of early Methodism, from which Covenant Discipleship groups are adapted, were intended by Wesley to be first and foremost a means of pastoral oversight. Whatever the other benefits of these weekly meetings — and there were many, including a rich sense of Christian communion — the General Rules made explicit what many of us, then and now, would prefer to leave implicit. There were no pre-conditions for membership in a Methodist society, but there were very clear post-conditions; if, that is, membership was to be continued.

The Rules showed how to live the Christian life with whatever "degree of faith" we have been graced, as opposed to identifying a standard Christian experience that then condones a wide range of "Christian" behavior. This is what drew the charge of works-righteousness against Wesley and the Methodists of the 18th century; today it runs no less counter to the personalized spirituality that so often passes for discipleship.

The Witness Continues

The witness of Covenant Discipleship has been blessed by Christ for 25 years, and it continues to be blessed. We now have a whole new set of books published by Discipleship Resources, a Council for Accountable Discipleship, a full-time director at the General Board of Discipleship, and a desire for accountability across the church that is more intense than many of us can remember.

In light of such opportunities, the purpose of Covenant Discipleship groups is no less important than it was for the class meetings of Wesley's day. Simply put, our accountability at these weekly meetings confronts us with a question: "Are we truly seeking a discipleship that is worth the life of the Son of God?" As we answer that question, let us not hesitate to ask it of all who call ourselves Christian.

¹Gayle Turner Watson, Guide for Covenant Discipleship Groups (Nashville: Discipleship Resources, 2000), p. 41.
² Rupert E. Davies, Ed., The Works of John Wesley: Vol. 9: The Methodist Societies: History, Nature, and Design (Nashville: Abingdon, 1989), pp. 67ff.
³ Steven W. Manskar, Accountable Discipleship: Living in God's Household (Nashville: Discipleship Resources, 2000), pp. 13ff.

David Lowes Watson is Director of the Office of Pastoral Formation for the Nashville Episcopal Area of The United Methodist Church. He is the author of Covenant Discipleship, Forming Christian Disciples, Class Leaders, and Early Methodist Class Meeting (all Discipleship Resources), among others.