Discipleship
Definition:
The Christian Meaning of Discipleship
The word disciple comes from the Greek mathētēs, meaning:
learner
student
follower
apprentice under a master
In Christianity, discipleship refers to following Jesus in a way that transforms one’s entire life—beliefs, actions, relationships, values, and purpose.
Discipleship is not simply believing in Jesus but becoming like Jesus.
1. Discipleship Begins With Jesus’ Invitation: “Follow Me.”
Jesus’ call is personal and relational:
“Follow me.”
— Jesus (Matthew 4:19)
Christian discipleship begins with this invitation—entering a relationship that redefines one’s identity and future.
The theologian Dallas Willard wrote:
“Discipleship is learning from Jesus how to live like Jesus.”
It is apprenticeship to the Master Teacher.
2. Discipleship Means Becoming Like Christ
Discipleship is about imitation, not mere admiration.
Paul writes:
“Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.”
— 1 Corinthians 11:1
John Wesley described it this way:
“A disciple is one who walks as Christ walked, thinks as Christ thought, and loves as Christ loved.”
Discipleship is being formed into the likeness of Christ by the Spirit.
3. Discipleship Is Daily, Costly Commitment
Jesus made clear that discipleship requires sacrifice:
“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves, take up their cross daily, and follow me.”
— Jesus (Luke 9:23)
Dietrich Bonhoeffer famously wrote:
“When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die.”
— The Cost of Discipleship
This death is symbolic: dying to ego, sin, self-rule, and worldly identity.
True discipleship costs—but it leads to life.
4. Discipleship Is Obedience to Jesus’ Teachings
A disciple does not just listen—they obey.
Jesus said:
“If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples.”
— John 8:31
Oswald Chambers summarized:
“Discipleship is based on devotion to Jesus, not on adherence to a cause.”
Obedience flows from love, not compulsion.
5. Discipleship Is Life-Long Formation
Discipleship is not a decision but a journey.
Paul describes it as a process:
“Being transformed into His image from glory to glory.”
— 2 Corinthians 3:18
Eugene Peterson called it:
“A long obedience in the same direction.”
It is a daily journey of spiritual growth and maturity.
6. Discipleship Happens in Community
Discipleship is not a solo endeavor; it is life shared with other believers.
The early church father Augustine wrote:
“No one can have God as Father who does not have the Church as Mother.”
Christians learn, encourage, and sharpen one another through the Body of Christ.
Dallas Willard noted:
“Disciples are formed in community, not isolation.”
Learning to love others is part of learning to follow Jesus.
7. Discipleship Includes Teaching and Learning
The Great Commission connects discipleship with teaching:
“Make disciples… teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”
— Jesus (Matthew 28:19–20)
John Calvin commented:
“To be a disciple means to be teachable, always learning under Christ’s school.”
Discipleship is education of the heart and life, not just the mind.
8. Discipleship Requires Surrender and Trust
A disciple learns to trust the leading of Christ.
C.S. Lewis wrote:
“The real problem of the Christian life comes where we do not usually look for it—simply in doing what He says.”
Disciples trust their Master even when they cannot see the outcome.
9. Discipleship Is Empowered by the Holy Spirit
Christians believe they cannot imitate Jesus by their own strength.
Paul writes:
“It is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.”
— Philippians 2:13
A.W. Tozer said:
“The Spirit-filled life is not a deluxe experience; it is part of the package of discipleship.”
The Spirit empowers transformation.
10. Discipleship Includes Mission and Service
Jesus formed disciples to send them out.
“Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
— Matthew 4:19
Lesslie Newbigin wrote:
“Mission is the overflowing of discipleship; the life that follows Christ will inevitably witness to Him.”
Disciples:
serve
witness
heal
proclaim
love
build
give
They continue Jesus’ work in the world.
11. Discipleship Is Rooted in Love
At its heart, discipleship is about learning to love God and neighbour.
Jesus said:
“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
— John 13:35
Gregory the Great wrote:
“The evidence of discipleship is love, for love is the life of the disciple.”
Love is the measure of spiritual formation.
12. Discipleship Means Bearing Fruit
A disciple’s life produces spiritual fruit.
Jesus taught:
“By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.”
— John 15:8
Jonathan Edwards said:
“True discipleship is shown by the fruit of a transformed life.”
Transformation leads to visible outcomes—character, obedience, kindness, justice, faithfulness.
Summary: What Discipleship Means in Christianity
Christian discipleship is:
✔ Following Jesus
✔ Learning to live like Jesus
✔ Becoming like Christ in character
✔ A costly, daily commitment
✔ Obedience to God’s Word
✔ Life-long transformation
✔ Empowered by the Spirit
✔ Rooted in love
✔ Lived in community
✔ Directed toward mission
✔ Evidenced by fruitfulness
Or as John Stott beautifully summarized:
“Discipleship is a whole-life commitment to Christ, in which we learn from Him, become like Him, and share in His mission.”
Biblical Imagery & Metaphors:
Following footsteps in the sand.
A student learning from a master.
Clay shaped by the potter.
In Daily Faith:
To be a disciple is to continually surrender, grow, and follow Jesus wherever He leads. In Daily Life:
Living Out Discipleship
Discipleship is not a one-time decision but a daily lifestyle. Baptism, spiritual formation, and participation in the life of the Church all inform this journey. Practical steps rooted in Scripture help believers grow in obedience, love, and mission.
1. Follow Jesus Daily
Discipleship begins with responding to Christ’s call: “Follow me.”
Application: Begin each day by consciously submitting your plans, priorities, and thoughts to Jesus. Ask: “How can I follow You today?”
Scripture: Luke 9:23 — "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me."
Encouragement: Small daily acts of obedience—kindness, honesty, prayer, humility—cultivate lifelong following.
2. Imitate Christ in Thought and Action
Discipleship is about becoming like Jesus in character and behavior.
Application: Study Christ’s life in the Gospels and reflect: “How would Jesus respond?” Practice patience, forgiveness, generosity, and integrity.
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:1 — "Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ."
Encouragement: Journaling or mentoring relationships can help reinforce Christlike habits.
3. Commit to Lifelong Spiritual Growth
Discipleship is a journey, not a destination.
Application: Pursue spiritual disciplines: prayer, Bible reading, fasting, meditation, and worship. Set aside consistent times daily for reflection and growth.
Scripture: 2 Peter 3:18 — "But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."
Encouragement: Celebrate small milestones in spiritual maturity—growth is incremental but transformative.
4. Obey God’s Word
A disciple’s life is marked by obedience, not mere knowledge.
Application: Apply Scripture in decision-making, work, relationships, and speech. Memorize verses that guide daily behavior.
Scripture: John 8:31 — "If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples."
Encouragement: Obedience cultivates trust and aligns your life with God’s will.
5. Live in Community
Discipleship flourishes in fellowship with other believers.
Application: Join a local church, small group, or Bible study. Share struggles, pray for one another, and hold each other accountable.
Scripture: Hebrews 10:24–25 — "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together…"
Encouragement: Community strengthens faith, provides encouragement, and multiplies spiritual fruit.
6. Serve and Engage in Mission
Discipleship is outward-looking, not only inward-focused.
Application: Volunteer, help the needy, share the gospel, or mentor others. Make service part of your daily or weekly routine.
Scripture: Matthew 28:19–20 — "Go and make disciples of all nations… teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you."
Encouragement: Each act of service embodies Christ’s love and furthers the Kingdom.
7. Depend on the Holy Spirit
Transformation is not by effort alone; it is Spirit-enabled.
Application: Pray for the Spirit’s guidance, wisdom, and power to live out Christlike virtues. Ask for help in resisting temptation and growing in love.
Scripture: Philippians 2:13 — "For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose."
Encouragement: Rely on God daily—discipleship is supernatural as well as practical.
8. Practice Daily Surrender and Trust
Following Jesus involves letting go of self-rule.
Application: Surrender personal ambitions, fears, and anxieties to God in prayer. Seek His guidance before making decisions.
Scripture: Proverbs 3:5–6 — "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."
Encouragement: Daily trust nurtures humility and reliance on God’s plan.
9. Love God and Others Intentionally
Love is both the evidence and goal of discipleship.
Application: Show love in small acts—encouraging words, forgiving offenses, and sacrificial giving. Make relational faithfulness a daily practice.
Scripture: John 13:35 — "By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
Encouragement: Love transforms ordinary interactions into spiritual opportunities.
10. Bear Spiritual Fruit
A disciple’s life produces visible evidence of Christ’s presence.
Application: Evaluate personal growth in character, service, obedience, and witness. Set goals to cultivate virtues like joy, peace, patience, and kindness.
Scripture: Galatians 5:22–23 — "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control."
Encouragement: Regularly reflect on spiritual growth—fruitfulness glorifies God and encourages others.
Summary Practical Advice:
Living as a disciple means daily following Christ, obeying His Word, growing in character, serving others, trusting the Spirit, loving God and neighbors, and bearing fruit. Discipleship is both inward transformation and outward mission, formed through prayer, Scripture, community, and surrender.
Scripture References:
Luke 9:23 (NIV)
23 Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.
Matthew 4:19 (NIV)
19 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.”
John 8:31 (NIV)
31 To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.
2 Corinthians 3:18 (NIV)
18 And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
Hebrews 10:24–25 (NIV)
24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds,
25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Matthew 28:19–20 (NIV)
19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.
Philippians 2:13 (NIV)
13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfil his good purpose.
Proverbs 3:5–6 (NIV)
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
John 13:35 (NIV)
35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.
Galatians 5:22–23 (NIV)
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.