Christian discipleship is the process of learning, following and imitating Jesus Christ. It involves studying and obeying the teachings of Jesus as found in the Bible, with the goal of becoming more like Him. Discipleship is a lifelong journey that requires commitment, sacrifice and transformation as the Holy Spirit works within a believer.
The Call to Discipleship
Jesus called all believers to follow Him and become His disciples. In Mark 1:17, Jesus said to Simon Peter and Andrew, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” He repeated this call to discipleship many times, instructing people to deny themselves, take up their crosses and follow Him (Matthew 16:24). Jesus made it clear that a casual, half-hearted commitment would not suffice. He expected full devotion from His followers.
Discipleship requires submitting one’s whole life to the lordship of Jesus Christ. It is not simply an add-on to an already busy life. Jesus emphasized that “anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:27). There can be no casual Christians or partial disciples. Jesus demands our all.
The Cost of Discipleship
There is a cost to following Jesus wholeheartedly. He warned those who desired to be His disciples to “count the cost” first (Luke 14:28).
One cost is leaving behind worldly priorities and values. Jesus said no one could be His disciple without “hating his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters” in the sense of loving them less than Him (Luke 14:26). Nothing can compete with one’s devotion to Christ.
Discipleship also requires renouncing personal goals and desires and seeking first God’s kingdom (Luke 14:33). The old self-centered life must give way to a new Christ-centered existence (Galatians 2:20).
Furthermore, disciples must be willing to suffer for Christ. Paul affirmed that “everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Timothy 3:12). Disciples share in Christ’s sufferings (1 Peter 4:13). There is no discipleship without death to self.
The Marks of a Disciple
Several key qualities identify genuine disciples of Jesus Christ. These distinguishing marks set them apart from false or casual believers.
First, disciples love one another. Jesus said, “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35). Love characterizes their relations with fellow believers.
Second, disciples bear much spiritual fruit. In John 15, Jesus taught that His Father prunes every branch that bears fruit so it will become even more fruitful. Fruitfulness is expected.
Third, disciples obey Christ’s commands. “If you love me, you will keep my commandments” (John 14:15). Obedience is not optional. It is the natural response to Christ’s love.
Fourth, disciples abide in Christ. Jesus said, “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me” (John 15:4). Daily dependence on Christ is imperative.
Fifth, disciples follow after holiness. “As he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct” (1 Peter 1:15). Progressively conforming to Christ’s image is the work of disciples.
Sixth, disciples endure to the end. Jesus said true disciples will continue in His Word (John 8:31) and overcome tribulation (Matthew 24:13). Steadfastness marks a disciple.
The Curriculum of Discipleship
Disciples develop Christlike maturity through studying and applying God’s Word. The Bible serves as the curriculum for Christian discipleship. Paul told Timothy, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). The Bible thoroughly equips disciples for godly living.
Therefore, disciples should devote themselves to studying Scripture. The Bereans were called “noble” because “they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily” (Acts 17:11). Similarly, disciples today must eagerly, regularly study the Bible.
Mere intellectual knowledge is not enough, however. Disciples must “be doers of the word, and not hearers only” (James 1:22). Applying Scripture in everyday life is essential. By obeying God’s Word, disciples grow in maturity and Christlikeness.
The Bible serves as the handbook for discipleship. Immersing oneself in Scripture transforms the mind and equips disciples for good works.
The Community of Discipleship
Although discipleship involves personal, individual commitment to Christ, it is lived out in community with other believers. The Christian life was never meant to be solitary.
Disciples need one another for mutual encouragement, correction and growth. The New Testament placed disciples in the context of the local church. Jesus said church discipline, though painful, was necessary for correcting sin and restoring straying believers (Matthew 18:15-20). Likewise, Hebrews 3:12-13 warns disciples to encourage one another against the deceitfulness of sin.
God designed believers to mature together through the ministry of the Word (Acts 2:42), caring for one another, bearing one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2), stirring up love and good deeds (Hebrews 10:24), admonishing one another with wisdom (Colossians 3:16), and sharpening one another spiritually (Proverbs 27:17). Every disciple needs godly friendships for spiritual growth.
Therefore, pursuing discipleship in isolation from other believers disregards the Bible’s emphasis on community. Discipleship functions best in the atmosphere of biblical fellowship and accountability.
The Process of Discipleship
Discipleship is a lifelong journey of growth, not a program to complete. Every believer must see himself or herself as a disciple in process. No one ever graduates from being a disciple. There is no point at which one can claim to be fully conformed to Christ. Disciples never outgrow their need to learn, grow and progress in godliness.
At the same time, discipleship results in real transformation. Disciples do not remain in a state of perpetual immaturity. As believers apply God’s Word and yield to the Spirit’s work, Christlikeness increases. Growth in godliness, obedience, love and fruitfulness characterize maturing disciples.
Effective discipleship involves a careful balance of grace and truth. Like Jesus, mature disciples manifest both “grace and truth” (John 1:14). They share God’s gracious love while also calling one another to biblical standards of holiness and obedience. Truth without grace breeds judgmental legalism. Grace without truth encourages sin and laxity. Discipleship requires speaking the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15).
Finally, discipleship aims at reproducing disciples. Those who follow Jesus eventually learn to lead others to follow Him as well. The ultimate goal is for disciples to become disciple-makers who can train more disciples. Jesus summarized His entire discipleship ministry as making disciples who will make more disciples (Matthew 28:19-20). His plan for global discipleship requires every generation to reproduce successors.
The Role of Discipline in Discipleship
Christian discipleship requires discipline. That is, it demands focused effort and earnest commitment to grow. Discipline is needed to maintain regular Bible study, prayer, fellowship, and service. It takes discipline to break ungodly patterns of thinking and behaving. One cannot drift casually into Christlikeness.
Jesus emphasized that only the disciplined who vigorously pursue righteousness enter the kingdom: “Strive to enter through the narrow door…depart from me…you workers of lawlessness” (Luke 13:24, 27). Disciples must continually “work out [their] own salvation with fear and trembling” through diligent effort enabled by God’s grace (Philippians 2:12-13). The New Testament links godliness to disciplined training like that of athletes (1 Corinthians 9:24-27) and soldiers (2 Timothy 2:3-4).
At times, formal church discipline is needed to spur wayward disciples to repentance (Matthew 18:15-20). Without corrective measures, even true disciples may wander from the faith and adopt worldly standards. Stern measures may be required to recover straying disciples.
Above all, disciples grow through the Father’s loving discipline. “God disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness” (Hebrews 12:10). Divine discipline coupled with human effort keeps disciples progressing on the narrow path.
The Motivations for Discipleship
Genuine discipleship stems from love for Christ. Fear, guilt or duty may induce superficial outward conformity, but only deep love can sustain lifelong discipleship when challenges arise. Jesus emphasized that wholehearted obedience flows from love for Him (John 14:15). As disciples meditate on Christ’s sacrificial love, gratitude fuels their pursuit of holiness. The expulsive power of this new affection drives sin from their lives. Love for Christ above all energizes and motivates Christian discipleship.
Disciples also find motivation in desiring eternal rewards. Jesus urged His followers to store up heavenly treasures rather than earthly ones (Matthew 6:19-21). The apostle Paul wrote that he pressed on because he valued the eternal prize (Philippians 3:14). God graciously rewards faithful discipleship with eternal blessings. This promise gives disciples incentive to persevere through hardship and temptation.
Ultimately, disciples pursue conformity to Christ out of reverent fear. Saving faith works through love but also produces godly fear (1 Peter 1:17-19). The dread of displeasing the heavenly Father who graciously adopted them into His family motivates disciples to repent and obey. Holy fear of the Lord leads to holiness (2 Corinthians 7:1). It inspires rigorous, lifelong discipleship.
The Power for Discipleship
Becoming a committed, lifelong disciple in one’s own strength is impossible. Human willpower and effort inevitably fall short. Only by God’s power can believers take up the cross, forsake the old life, and follow Christ wholeheartedly.
Jesus promised His disciples the Holy Spirit who would indwell and empower them after His ascension (John 14:16-17). The Spirit transforms disciples from within, freeing them from sinful desires and giving new passions for righteousness (Ezekiel 36:26-27). Believers must continually rely on the Spirit’s renewing power for discipleship.
The Spirit also provides practical guidance for daily decisions and challenges. Jesus assured His disciples that the Spirit would lead them into all truth and teach them all things, bringing Christ’s words to their remembrance (John 14:26; 16:13). Discipleship requires following the Spirit’s leading each step of the journey.
Through the Word, the Spirit renews disciples’ minds and reveals areas needing change. Scripture serves as the Spirit’s sword to convict, instruct and inspire (Hebrews 4:12; 2 Timothy 3:16-17). The Word and Spirit work together to transform disciples into Christ’s image.
Only by relying fully on the Spirit’s power can disciples live as faithful followers of Jesus. The same divine power that raised Christ from the dead works mightily in disciples to change their character (Ephesians 1:18-20). A Spirit-filled life of discipleship brings glory to God.
The Life of Discipleship
Christian discipleship results in a distinctly Christlike lifestyle. Disciples display the fruit of the Spirit: “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23). As the Spirit renews the heart, these graces become visible, transforming every area of life.
Disciples’ values and priorities align with God’s kingdom rather than the world’s. They stop living for comfort, prestige or materialism. Instead, they seek first God’s kingdom and righteousness (Matthew 6:33). Kingdom ethics shape their moral decisions and lifestyle choices.
Disciples serve as salt and light in the world (Matthew 5:13-16). While avoiding contamination from sin, they actively do good and exemplify godly virtues. Their words and deeds point others to Christ. They live on mission as God’s agents of redemption in the lives of unbelievers.
With the Spirit’s help, disciples practice mutual love and unity among believers. They embody Jesus’ call for His disciples to love one another and maintain visible oneness (John 13:34-35; 17:20-23). Such love and unity validate their witness to the world.
Above all, disciples exalt Christ in word and deed. Their supreme aim is to glorify Him with their lives (Matthew 5:16; 1 Corinthians 10:31). Every thought, word and action magnifies His preeminence. For disciples, to live is Christ (Philippians 1:21). He alone is worthy of full devotion and praise.
Disciples Make Disciples
Discipleship naturally reproduces itself. As disciples grow in maturity and Christlikeness, they begin discipling others. Mature believers take new converts under their wings to mentor them, just as Paul exhorted Timothy to pass on Christ’s teachings to faithful disciples who could teach others (2 Timothy 2:2).
Such spiritual generations of disciples multiplying disciples fulfill Christ’s commission to “make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19). The process begins again with each new believer. Every disciple should become a disciple-maker.
This multiplication of disciples requires intentional mentorship. More mature believers must take initiative to nurture younger believers toward maturity through personal attention and biblical instruction. Younger believers, in turn, must be willing to learn from those ahead of them. Nurturing discipleship relationships causes the body of Christ to flourish and grow.
Experienced disciples should use their spiritual gifts to build up others. Modeling a spiritually vibrant life and transparently sharing one’s struggles and victories help new believers understand authentic discipleship. Praying for younger disciples and providing personal guidance accelerates their growth. Disciple-makers pour themselves into others.
Ultimately, it is the Holy Spirit who takes disciples’ investment and produces spiritual fruit and maturity in new believers. Just as Jesus sent the Spirit to transform His first disciples, so the Spirit develops Christlike character in subsequent generations. Human disciple-makers plant gospel seeds, but God Himself produces the harvest of righteousness in disciples (1 Corinthians 3:6-7).
