As we step into the season of Lent, we are invited to a fresh approach in our journey with Jesus—one that challenges us to move beyond passive learning and into active apprenticeship. The call to follow Christ has never been a one-size-fits-all model of discipleship. Instead, throughout Scripture, we see God’s hand-crafting process, shaping individuals uniquely, forming them for His purposes, and calling them to become practitioners of His way in the world.
This year, as a church, Willerup will walk through the Gospel of Mark together in our Sermon Series and Devotional, discovering what it means to be apprentices of Jesus, learning His ways so that we can practice them in everyday life and lead others to the salvation message we've found to be the truth ourselves.
Hand-Crafting Discipleship: Becoming Like Christ
Discipleship is not about mass production—it is a process of formation, refinement, and transformation. The Bible describes God as a craftsman, shaping us intentionally:
"For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." (Ephesians 2:10)
"Yet you, Lord, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand."(Isaiah 64:8)
Jesus modeled this hand-crafted approach in Mark’s Gospel. He didn’t rush discipleship, nor did He teach an impersonal formula. He formed His followers personally—calling them by name, shaping them through real-life experiences, and refining their faith through challenge and practice.
Mark’s Gospel is fast-paced, yet Jesus was intentional in making disciples. Throughout the Bible, God invited people into a different way of life, not just belief. True discipleship requires evidence of a life change. Consider these New Testament vereses:
A personal call (Mark 1:17 – “Come, follow me, and I will send you out to fish for people.”)
Ongoing transformation (Romans 12:2 – “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”)
Practical training (Luke 6:40 – “The student is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like their teacher.”)
As we go through Mark this Lenten season, we are invited into apprenticeship—learning not just to hear Jesus’ words but to live them, practicing holiness, self-control, and faith in action. Think of the workshop where a master craftsman works, thinks, and lives. Now consider the time and effort a master puts into perfecting a master piece. Maybe this is the first time you ever appraoched your spiritual life in this way. Good. Let's work together on this, realizing this process isn't only about us. It's also about those we love and lead. Each and every one is a unique work of art with a purpose.
Hand-Crafting Evangelism: Seeing People as God Does
Just as discipleship is personal, so is evangelism. Jesus never treated people as projects—He saw them as God’s one of a kind, original master pieces, evidence of His handiwork, irreplaceable, unique individuals in need of both truth and divine love.
Throughout Mark’s Gospel, Jesus engaged people personally:
Levi the tax collector (Mark 2:13-17) – Jesus meets him where he is and calls him by name.
The woman with the issue of blood (Mark 5:25-34) – Jesus doesn’t just heal her; He acknowledges her faith, speaks to her personally, and replaces her back into the family.
Blind Bartimaeus (Mark 10:46-52) – Jesus asks what Bartimaeus wants, showing He listens--allowing us to fully participate in being responsible for our becoming.
Evangelism, like discipleship, is not a script—it’s a life lived and shared with intentionality, divine love, and truth. Consider how we are practitioners of the Gospel, learning to share it as Jesus did, through relationships, conversations, and Spirit-led encounters.
How Do We Read Mark Through This Lens?
As we move through this Handcrafted Lenten Devotional and Sermon Series, we approach Mark’s Gospel as apprentices working toward becoming practitioners, asking for clarity on what our next steps will be:
How is Jesus shaping me to become a practitioner of His way?
How can I engage with others in a hand-crafted, personal way—just as Jesus did?
What does it mean to move beyond knowing and into the art of doing?
What do I learn in the workshop?
Lent is a season--a set period of time during the Christian year to pause and reflect. It can be a time of alignement and deep transformation, but we have to do the work. We have to participate. As we read Mark’s Gospel, let's enter into the workshop--to be shaped by Jesus, sent by Jesus, and empowered by His Spirit to live as hand-crafted disciples and evangelists—not mass-produced followers, but uniquely hand crafted, formed for His mission and fufilling His purpose. Not only for us, but for the lives we are here to imapct.
“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” (Mark 1:17 ESV)
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