Discipleship, nature of

The state of following Jesus Christ, and serving and obeying him. The NT stresses the privileges, joys and cost of this calling.

Discipleship involves learning

Learning from God

John 6:45 See also Isaiah 54:13; Leviticus 11:44–45, Leviticus 19:2, Leviticus 20:7; Ephesians 5:1–2; 1 Peter 1:15–16

It is written in the Prophets: ‘And they will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who has heard the Father and learned from Him comes to Me —

Learning from Jesus Christ

Matthew 11:29 See also John 13:15; Ephesians 4:20–21; Philippians 2:5; 1 Peter 2:21; 1 John 2:6

Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Learning from the Holy Spirit

John 14:26 See also Luke 12:12; John 16:13; 1 Corinthians 2:13; Ephesians 1:17, Ephesians 3:16–19; 1 Peter 1:12

But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have told you.

Learning from other people

Philippians 4:9 See also Deuteronomy 4:10, Deuteronomy 5:1, Deuteronomy 31:12; 1 Corinthians 4:6, 1 Corinthians 4:16, 1 Corinthians 11:1; Philippians 3:17; 2 Thessalonians 3:7, 2 Thessalonians 3:9; 1 Timothy 2:11, 1 Timothy 5:4; 2 Timothy 3:14

Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me, put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Learning to do what is good

Titus 3:14 See also Psalm 34:14, Psalm 37:27; Isaiah 1:17, Isaiah 26:9; 3 John 1:11

And our people must also learn to devote themselves to good works in order to meet the pressing needs of others, so that they will not be unfruitful.

Jesus Christ calls people to be his disciples

Matthew 4:19 parallel Mark 1:17 See also Matthew 4:21 parallel Mark 1:20 Jesus Christ calls James and John; Matthew 8:21–22 parallel Luke 9:59–60; Matthew 9:9 parallels Mark 2:14, Luke 5:27 Jesus Christ calls Matthew; Matthew 19:21 parallels Mark 10:21, Luke 18:22; John 1:43 Jesus Christ calls Philip; John 21:19

“Come, follow Me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.”

The consequences of discipleship

Following Jesus Christ

Matthew 10:38 See also Matthew 16:24 parallels Mark 8:34, Luke 9:23; Luke 14:27; John 10:27, John 12:26; Revelation 14:4

and anyone who does not take up his cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me.

Serving Jesus Christ

Colossians 3:24 See also Matthew 20:25–28 parallel Mark 10:42–45; Romans 12:11; 1 Thessalonians 1:9

because you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as your reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

Obeying Jesus Christ

John 8:31 See also John 14:21, John 14:23–24, John 15:10, John 15:14; 1 John 2:3, 1 John 3:22, 1 John 3:24, 1 John 5:3

So He said to the Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, you are truly My disciples.

Responding immediately to Jesus Christ's commands

Matthew 8:21–22 See also Matthew 4:20 parallel Mark 1:18; Matthew 4:22 parallels Mark 1:20, Luke 5:11

Another of His disciples requested, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” But Jesus told him, “Follow Me, and let the dead bury their own dead.”

Living for Jesus Christ and not for oneself

2 Corinthians 5:15 See also Romans 14:7–8; 1 Peter 4:2

And He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died for them and was raised again.

Loving others

John 13:12–17 See also John 15:9–14; 1 John 4:7–21

When Jesus had washed their feet and put on His outer garments, He reclined with them again and asked, “Do you know what I have done for you? You call Me Teacher and Lord, and rightly so, because I am. So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example so that you should do as I have done for you. Truly, truly, I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

Total commitment is required of Jesus Christ's disciples

Matthew 10:37–39 See also Matthew 16:24–25 parallels Mark 8:34–35, Luke 9:23–24; Mark 6:8; Luke 14:26–27, Luke 17:33; John 12:25

Anyone who loves his father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me; and anyone who does not take up his cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.

The purpose of discipleship is to become Christlike

Ephesians 4:22–24 See also Matthew 5:48; Luke 6:40; Romans 8:29 God's purpose in election; Romans 12:1–2, Romans 13:14; 2 Corinthians 3:18, 2 Corinthians 7:1; Ephesians 1:4; Colossians 1:28, Colossians 3:12; 2 Timothy 3:17 the purpose of Scripture; 1 Peter 1:14–15 a call to holiness; 2 Peter 1:5–7; 1 John 3:2–3

to put off your former way of life, your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be renewed in the spirit of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

Examples of secret discipleship

John 3:1–2 See also John 7:50, John 12:42, John 19:38–39

Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs You are doing if God were not with him.”