What does discipleship mean? The primary definition of “disciple” is: “a personal follower of Jesus during his life, especially one of the twelve Apostles.” The secondary meaning is: “a follower or student of a teacher, leader, or philosopher.” Synonyms for disciple include: “similar, follower, adherent, believer, admirer, devotee,” etc. I am pleased to see (with all of the recent redefinitions in our English dictionary), that disciple still is the most understood in relationship with following Jesus Christ. The word “discipleship” is not found in the Bible, but its teaching is a major emphasis, especially by Jesus. 29 times the word “disciple” is found in Scripture, showing that sometimes a disciple must stand alone. Yet, 244 times its plural form is found (“disciples“), hinting that discipleship is most often found in connection, community, and fellowship with other disciples of Jesus Christ.
When Jesus talks of the cost of discipleship, He talks about dying to self, giving up your own life in exchange for Christ’s life to live out in and through you. Jesus says, “And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after Me, cannot be My disciple” (Luke 14:27). We must really trust and obey Jesus and His Word to have a mindset and lifestyle that reflects the life of Christ.
What are you living your life for? What do you think being a disciple of Jesus means? Click here for a very good 2-page article entitled, “What is a disciple?“
Some verses on discipleship:
Mat. 16:24 “Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” Mark 8:34 “And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” John 8:31 “Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my Word, then are ye My disciples indeed;” John 13:35 “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” Mat. 22:39 “And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” John 15:8 “Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.”
Some verses that say you cannot be a disciple of Jesus if you do not:
Luke 9:23 “And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.” Luke 14:26 “If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.” Luke14:27 “And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.” Luke 14:33 “So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.”
Some verse that give us some reasons to choose to be a disciple:
Mat. 10:42 “And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.” Luke 6:20 “And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God.”
Have you ever been discipled? Have you ever discipled anyone? I would love to hear about either experience.
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