Are You a True Disciple?

The topic of discipleship in the church can be a “hot potato” topic at times. It’s one of my “soapbox” topics that I really like to discuss. Recently, while thinking about what to write for a devotional everything I read or listened to was about being a disciple Jesus Christ. Two quotes that really grabbed me in my YouVersion devotional are:

“Disciples of Jesus Christ know God, love people, and impact their world. “

“We are passionate about transformed people because transformed people will transform cities.“  (author unknown)

“Winning souls to the Kingdom and then discipling them should be the main priority of the Church. It’s called fruit.” --Todd Coconato

I looked deeper to find out what the word disciple really means. In the Merriam Webster Dictionary these are the synonyms given for the word disciple:

Follower, Adherent, Disciple, mean one who gives full loyalty and support to another.

Follower may apply to people who attach themselves either to the person or beliefs of another.

Adherent suggests a close and persistent attachment.

In the Greek (mathetes) - a learner, i.e. pupil

What does the Bible say?

“If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.”   (Luke 9:23 NKJV)  

In the NLT, Luke 9:23 the first sentence emphasizes surrender, it reads as -Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way… (emphasis added)

He said to them, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.”  (Mark 8:34 NKJV)  

“By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:35 NKJV)  

 One more scripture passage challenging us to surrender our ideas from the end of Luke 9. It’s familiar, but this time as you read, think in terms being determined to be true disciple of Jesus, and bring others into true discipleship.

“If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.”   (Luke 9:23 NKJV)  

In the NLT, Luke 9:23 the first sentence emphasizes surrender, it reads as -Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way… (emphasis added)

He said to them, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.”  (Mark 8:34 NKJV)  

“By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:35 NKJV)   

How does one become a disciple? How did Jesus make disciples? Jesus discipled through relationships. In a video that I watched a few years ago Pastor Bryan Stiverson said the following:

·   Know God - You first must be in relationship with God to have a relationship with His people.

·   Find Community - Jesus primarily ministered to the 12 disciples. Fellowship with other believers during the week. (men’s or women’s groups, etc.)

·    Make Disciples - The disciples made other disciples. Study the bible together.

·    Live Sent - After being disciple and trained ,Jesus sent them out to minister.

Why is discipleship such a big deal? One big reason is if there’s no discipleship that leads to the fact that there’s no fruit. I am frequently drawn to John 15:1-16, especially verse 16 which says: “You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.” (Emphasis added)

I will close with these questions:

 Are you a true disciple? If not, why not?

Are you duplicating yourself in people or Jesus Christ?