Why do I need to understand discipleship and stewardship?

The lay apostolate begins with recognising two realities: we belong to Christ, and our life has been entrusted to us for a purpose.

To be a disciple is to follow Christ.

To be a steward is to recognise that our life, time, gifts, relationships, resources and influence ultimately belong to God and have been entrusted to us for His purposes.

The lay apostolate is therefore not about doing whatever we want in the world, but about serving God in the world with what He has entrusted to us as disciples of Jesus Christ led by the Holy Spirit.

Jesus says: “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” — Matthew 16:24. Discipleship not only teaches us whose we are, but it requires us to allow Jesus to be visible through our words and actions. Like John the Baptist, we are invited to say “He must increase, but I must decrease.” — John 3:30

Genesis says: “God blessed them, and God said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth.” — Genesis 1:28

“Subdue” (kāvaš) means to bring creation into ordered fruitfulness.

“Have dominion” (rādāh) means to govern creation as God’s representative.

Stewardship teaches us what we are to do with what we have received from God: to order, protect, and cultivate rather than exploiting it. This is not simply about the environment. It includes everything entrusted to us: our talents, skills, abilities, relationships, resources and responsibilities.

Without discipleship and stewardship, the lay apostolate easily becomes self-centred. With them, it becomes a response to God.