The Definition of a Disciple

A disciple is a person that is conformed into the image of Jesus through careful study and obedience to His life example, commands, and guidance through the Spirit.

Jesus outlines what one must do to be a disciple, how a disciple is identified, and how they are to live. Below is a listing of scriptural references that further outline the preceding sentence. Disciples:

1. Are not forced to follow Jesus (John 6:43-71).

2. Are drawn by the Father (John 6:44).

3. Must hate their father, mother, wife, children, and their own life (Matthew 10:32-39; Luke 14:26-33).

4. Must bear their cross and go unto Jesus (Matthew 10:38, Matthew 16:24-25; Mark 8:34-35; Luke 14:27).

5. Must forsake all they have (Matthew 8:19-22, Matthew 16:24-25, Matthew 19:29; Luke 14:33).

6. Accepted the cost of following Jesus (Luke 14:25-35).

7. Learn about the ways of Jesus. His teachings, character, life (Matthew 5:1-2, see entire chapter; Mark 4:33-34, Mark 12:42-44; Luke 6:20-49, Luke 8:1-18, Luke 10:22-24, Luke 12:1-12, Luke 16:1-14, Luke 17:1-10).

8. Will follow Jesus’ example (John 13:15).

9. Ask questions of Jesus (i.e. prayer) – Matthew 18:1-3, 19:16-29, Matthew 24; Mark 10:17-24; Luke 8:1-18, Luke 9:51-56, Luke 11:1-4; John 9.

10. Must be as their master – perfect (Matthew 10:25; Luke 6:39-40).

11. Is not above their master (Matthew 10:24; Luke 6:39-40).

12. Are given the knowledge to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 13:9-11).

13. Will fast and pray (Mark 9:18-29; Acts 6:6, Acts 13:1-4).Will understand the purpose of Jesus – to save the lives of men (Luke 9:51-56).

14. Will make disciples and baptize (Matthew 28:18-20; John 4:1-2).

15. Will continue in His Word and in Him (John 8:28-32, John 15:7-15).

16. Are identified by their love one for another (John 13:34-35).

17. Pray for the Lord to send workers into the harvest (Matthew 9:36-38).

18. Are sent of the Lord (through the Spirit) unto good works for His glory (Matthew 10:1-2; Luke 9:1-6; John 15:7-16; Acts 1:8, Acts 8:5, 26, Acts 9:1-16, Acts 10, Acts 13:1-4).

The disciple must first decide to follow Jesus based upon His standards. A person is ‘disqualified’ to be a disciple by Jesus if they are unwilling to submit to His standards (Luke 14:33). This is why we must first count the cost of discipleship to understand what it means to be a disciple (based on Jesus’ description) and consider if we will choose to finish our lives as disciples until the end (Luke 14:25-35).

If a person accepts salvation and chooses not to accept the cost of discipleship, the potential exists for that person to live a menial life in Christ, unwilling to seek the glory of God through discipleship or complete obedience. The person will live ineffective for the kingdom of God. Sadly, this circumstance is occurring across our church landscape today. This is why I believe the decision to become a disciple must come prior to salvation. Let’s take a moment to review Luke 14:28-30:

For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.

If the person is not able to complete their purpose as a disciple, they will be mocked for what they have/have not accomplished. For this reason, negative stereotypes of Christians now exist within the church and outside world. People that desire to follow Jesus often come forward with a hunger and intensity to learn more about Him, the bible, and fulfilling His will.

In a bible keyword search of ‘follow,’ the call to follow Jesus required an immediate answer. Any excuse for wanting to wait to follow Jesus almost seemed to disqualify them for His service – even among circumstances most people would allow (i.e. Matthew 8:18-22). Following Jesus required an immediate decision to turn away from the cares of the world and turn to the cares of the Father. In Paul’s first letter to Timothy, he told him to endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier (2 Timothy 2:2-4). A disciple is concerned only with pleasing the One who chose Him.

In being chosen as a disciple of Jesus, the disciple would spend their lives studying His life example and commands (John 13:15). The Greek translation for disciple is learner, pupil.¹ It is important that a disciple follows the example they themselves see. This is a good example why Paul admonished Timothy to watch his life and doctrine closely, as it would save himself and his hearers (1 Timothy 4:16). Barna stated that ‘[y]ou cannot pass that faith on to others if you are not living it and you cannot live it if you do not understand it’ (Barna, 21).² New disciples will follow Christ as their leaders follow Him (i.e. 1 Corinthians 11:1).

As a disciple reaches out to make other disciples, they should do so in the method and manner Jesus modeled. Barna describes Jesus’ method through teaching, modeling, exhorting, and encouraging (Barna, 25). Jesus’ examples of discipleship were a fluid ‘process’ that allowed disciples to grow through real-time life examples. There were times for more ‘formal’ or sit-down teachings (i.e. Matthew 5:1), however, many teachings came through situational circumstances.

Though there may be many encompassing aspects to discipleship, the process first begins (and continues) with acceptance, careful study of Jesus’ life examples, and obedience to Jesus’ commands. It is through these requirements and processes that one is made into a disciple. As they study the true example, they are given the ‘tools’ necessary to follow Jesus and carry out His commands to the glory of God.

^{1 – Blue Letter Bible. Dictionary and Word Search for Strong’s 3101. http:// www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G3101&t=KJV (accessed May 15, 2011).}

^{2 – Barna, George. Growing True Disciples. Colorado Springs: WaterBrook Press, 2001.}

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