What is Christian Discipleship?

A disciple is a follower, one who submits to the authority of God and His Word. A disciple is also one who spreads the teachings of Jesus Christ and is one who learns from Jesus Christ. This is a process by faith and through God’s grace. Psalm 119:46-47 teaches us to speak the truth of God even before kings. We are to do this with boldness and not to be ashamed. “I will also speak of Your testimonies before kings And shall not be ashamed. I shall delight in Your commandments, Which I love” (Psalm 119:46-47).

Matthew 10:18-19 says, “and you will even be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. “But when they hand you over, do not worry about how or what you are to say; for it will be given you in that hour what you are to say.” Acts 26:1-2 says, “Agrippa said to Paul, “You are permitted to speak for yourself.” Then Paul stretched out his hand and proceeded to make his defense: “In regard to all the things of which I am accused by the Jews, I consider myself fortunate, King Agrippa, that I am about to make my defense before you today.”

1) Put Jesus first - We will only obtain joy if we put Jesus first, others second and self, last. Mark 8:34-38 teaches us that if we are to be followers of Christ we are to die to self and live for Him. Living for Christ is only through the enabling of God. We are to be separate from the world and we ought to focus on serving Christ alone. We are not called to please man but to please God. Acts 5:29 says, “But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.”

2) Following Jesus teachings - How can one be a follower of Jesus without this basic principle? We must follow His teachings to be called His disciples. John 15:5-11 teaches us that we must abide in Christ if we are to be His disciples. If we keep His ways dear to our heart, we will be fruitful for God. Abiding in Christ means all the four following points.

i)               Believing that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

ii)             Receiving Him as your personal Lord and Saviour.

iii)            Doing what God commands in His Word, the Holy Bible.

iv)            Being steadfast in service to Christ and to others.

We are to be obedient to Jesus. If we want to be used by Him for His glory this is essential. The Gospel of John tells us clearly in the eighth chapter that obedience is at the heart of the Christian life. John 8:31-32 says, “So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”

1 John 2:4-6 continues from the Gospel passage. “The one who says, “I have come to know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; but whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him: the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked.” John is not merely saying we need a correct knowledge of Scripture, but we must live it out. We must be obedient not as a burden but walk gladly in the paths of righteousness.

3) Love for others - John 13:34-35 instructs us that if we show love like Christ you will be known as one of His own, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” The love that Christ loved with was a divine love, a holy love, and a godly love. His love was not tainted by sin like man’s love. The love of Christ is much more than a warm feeling towards someone. We can show this kind of love in warning people about their sin and the coming judgment of sin. We can show this love in many ways. We can help people when it is not convenient and give them the truth of the Gospel. We can also show love in a practical way, for example by feeding the hungry. True love is not self-serving but self-sacrificing. Jesus never said being a follower of Him was going to be a walk in the park. Being a true Christian is hard. The world will hate you. The world will mock you. The world will cast you down and in many parts of the world today your life and liberty will be in danger.

4) Evangelism - Preaching the Gospel to the lost. This is one of the main reasons why God has placed us in a particular area. God has placed me in the United Kingdom. My mission field is North Wales and the surrounding areas. God has placed you in your area to reach the lost souls of that town or city. The Great Commission in Matthew 28 is not an optional extra to the Christian life it is our duty. There are reasons why we as followers of Christ are to share our faith; they are listed below.

i.)              God commands us to do so (Matthew 28:18-20).

ii.)            We show our love for the lost (John 14:15).

iii.)           Every soul is lost without Christ (Romans 3:10-12).

iv.)           Sharing the Gospel is God’s way of reaching the lost (Acts 10:14).

v.)            God’s desire is to save (2 Corinthians 4:3-4).

vi.)           Someone shared the Gospel with you (Romans 10:17).