The Definition of Discipleship.

Discipleship is, in my opinion, the most lost aspect of the Christian life.

Disciple: a follower and student of a mentor, teacher, or other wise figure who accepts and assists in spreading the doctrine of their teacher.

Discipleship: The process by which a disciple becomes more like their teacher by adhering to the teaching and doctrine.

We have “discipleship groups” in various forms that meet, at most, weekly. They eat, read, pray, and share their struggles. This is one example of a good tool of discipleship, but it’s not the definition of discipleship.

As I listed above, discipleship is becoming like your teacher. Discipleship has been watered down into nothing more than a way of life that is really only expected of pastors and other church authorities.

Jesus makes it clear that this is required of all those who follow him, not just leaders or those who are “more spiritual” than others.

Here is the first thing Jesus says to his earliest disciples, Peter and Andrew:

Matthew 4:19 – “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.”

Your first impression is the most important, right? Jesus sets up his entire plan of action from the get-go. Make disciples.

Here is the last thing Jesus says to his disciples:

Matthew 28:18-20 – Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

For me, I want my last words to be the most important thing I have ever said because those words should reflect my legacy. Your last words are the ones you can never go back on, so they better be good. Jesus was no different. There is a reason his last words were telling his disciples to make other disciples. Jesus’ work was done, and he was passing it on to those who followed him.

The Gospel is, from start to finish, to make disciples and then those disciples are to make more disciples, etc. This idea bookends the entire teaching ministry of Jesus. If discipleship is adhering to your teacher’s doctrine, then we should be out making disciples.

Why, then, has the church at large forgotten this?

We love to see the numbers grow and to see people “saved” but then we let them believe that “accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior” is enough. That is only the beginning. Discipleship is an ongoing transformation.

Here are a few descriptions that Jesus uses in describing disciples:

• Luke 14:26 – If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, cannot be my disciple.
• Luke 14:27 - Anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.
• Luke 14:33 – He who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.

Suddenly, discipleship becomes much more than a quick hour long Bible study once a week. Suddenly, work is involved. There isn’t anything easy about hating your family if that’s what it takes to get closer to Christ. Nobody wants to “carry their cross” and love him when it isn’t easy. Quite possibly the hardest thing to do is to give up everything you own in order to get closer to Christ. Being a disciple is a tall order. Discipleship is a process that we should never be content or satisfied with; there is always room for growth.

Look at the disciples who walked beside Jesus daily, watching him perform miracle after miracle. You see constant doubt and failure in them. This was difficult even for those who were right there in the middle of Jesus’ world-altering ministry.

It’s even harder for us today because the teacher is gone. He has been relegated to nothing more than a nice guy who died for us so that we can live our lives however we please with no eternal ramifications. In reality, that line of thinking has devastating eternal ramifications for those who believe it. James 3:1 tells us that the rules are even more strict for those teaching it.

Christ passed the torch to us. He lived the life to show us how it’s done, then died a horrifying death to seal the deal. Discipleship is not only a process of transforming into what Christ was and is, but it’s an obligation to bring others with us. Not only did Jesus call us to make disciples, but he expanded on it by saying, “teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”