As followers of Jesus Christ, shouldn't we also follow this commandment? Shouldn't we feel so overjoyed with the grace that has been given to us that we would want to share it with others?
Let's take a look at some key aspects of discipleship according to the Bible.
Commitment and obedience: Discipleship requires a deep commitment that includes putting God first above all else and obeying Christ's commands.
Matthew 22:37-38
Jesus said, “ 'YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.’ This is the great and foremost commandment.”
Learning from Jesus: A core part of discipleship is learning from Jesus and his teachings to understand and live out the truth.
Matthew 11:29
Jesus said, “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS.”
John 13:15
He said, “For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you.”
The Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20): The Bible commands believers to go and make disciples of all nations, which involves baptizing and teaching them to obey everything Jesus taught.
Transformation and growth: Discipleship is a continuous process of spiritual growth and transformation, not just about accumulating knowledge.
2 Timothy 3:16-17
All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.
Imitation of Christ: Disciples are called to imitate Jesus's love, humility, and service, and to help others do the same.
John 13:13-17
Jesus said to his disciples, “You call Me Teacher and Lord; and you are right, for so I am. If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a slave is not greater than his master, nor is one who is sent greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.”
Relationship and multiplication: Discipleship is a relational process of multiplication, where one disciple helps another to grow and then teaches them to do the same.
Ephesians 4:14-16
As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.
A mark of love: Jesus stated that love for one another is a distinguishing mark of His disciples.
John 13:34-35
Jesus said to his disciples, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Endurance and perseverance: Following Jesus will not be easy, and discipleship requires discipline and submission.
In John 16:1-11, Christ warns His disciples of the persecution and opposition that they will face as disciples of Christ.
If you are interested in discipling someone, or perhaps you are interested in being discipled by someone else, please contact your deacon.
