What is a disciple
By definition a disciple is a student who intentionally follows their teacher, listening and learning from their instruction. In the new Testament we not only see the disciples of Jesus, there is mention of John the Baptist's disciples and disciples of the Pharisees.
Jesus focused much of his teachings on what it meant to be His disciple. He expected his disciple to follow purposefully and with an awareness of the commitment He was demanding before they made a decision to follow. For example in Luke 14:26-33 He says:
26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple. 27 And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.
28 “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? 29 For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you, 30 saying, ‘This person began to build and wasn’t able to finish.’
31 “Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Won’t he first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? 32 If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace. 33 In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples. (NIV)
Jesus expects His disciples to be committed to him and His teachings. We, as His Church; His congregation of disciples, also need to teach the importance a total commitment to Jesus and His commands. But more importantly that commitment needs to be exemplified in our lives. We need to live like the disciples we are called to be.
"Go, make disciples..."
Some people view discipleship as something separate from evangelism when in truth they are inseparable. When you have the opportunity explain the Gospel to someone you say "This what Jesus did for me, this is why Jesus did this for me, this is how Jesus did this for me, and this is what Jesus is doing in my life now."
We make disciples by being disciples. When we talk about Jesus and all He's done for us and is doing in our lives we need to show that following Jesus is truly the most important and meaningful journey anyone can ever make. Our testimony for Jesus should be totally immersed, baptized as it were, in his teachings
John 14:15,21,23
John 14:15,21,23
15 “If you love me, keep my commands."
21 "Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me."
23 Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them."
Matthew 22:37-39- 37 “Jesus replied, ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself."
Matthew 5:43-48- 43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. 44 ’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Matthew 22:37-39- 37 “Jesus replied, ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself."
Matthew 5:43-48- 43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. 44 ’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
