Disciple / Discipleship: Following The Master

This journey requires dedication, humility, and openness to transformation through regular application, honest self-reflection, and receptiveness to guidance. While Christianity is

The basis of discipleship is obedience

Consistent obedience, love for others (which includes telling them about Jesus), a godly lifestyle and the outworking of the fruit of the Spirit are some of the indicators that a person is a disciple and they are in the process of becoming more like Jesus who went about doing good (Mt 28:19,20; Jn 13:35, 15:8; Act 10:38; 2 Cor 3:17,18; Gal 5:22,23). Jesus led from the front, 'He began to do and teach' and we follow His example (Act 1:1).

live by His teachings (Mt 7:21-27; Jas 1:22). Being vitally connected to Jesus is the key to initiate life changes which include putting personal preferences aside, denying ourselves and taking up our cross daily, following Christ and 'Doing whatever He says' (Lk 9:23; Jn 2:5, 15:4-17). This radical call of Jesus differs from the 'nice and easy' gospel that is often presented nowadays where Jesus is just an 'add-on' who doesn't impact the individual's life or lifestyle in any significant way; nor is it about observing customs, the keeping of rules or studies to complete. Many were happy to receive healing and assistance from Christ but not prepared to pay the price of commitment for they were 'easy come, easy go' casual observers (Jn 6:1,2,60,66).

Thus being a true disciple is putting into practice what we have been taught, with Christ's character being formed in us as we continually grow and change with it being outworked by how we live (Rom 8:29; 1 Tim 4:15). We are to follow on His terms which includes, 'If a person does not give up everything they have, they cannot be my disciple' (Lk 14:33).

Regardless of the cost to our personal lives we are to die to ourselves and live for Him for, although we naturally want comfort, He wants character. The flesh wants self-preservation – not the 'living sacrifice' and trials that actually produce an eternal weight of glory as we say 'No' to the natural desires and 'Yes' to the Spirit (Rom 12:1; Tit 2:12; 1 Pet 1:7). These opportunities for the flesh to 'die' include situations where we are ignored or ridiculed. We are to have a different mindset – seeing life from God's perspective, not from the human 'looking after me' mentality. This is why the Bible says, 'Count it all joy, whenever you face trials of many kinds…' (Jas 1:2-4). These experiences are God's instruments to shape us for eternity.

Being a disciple is an ongoing process, not a once-only decision, with the discipleship journey going far beyond the conversion experience to a lifelong commitment to follow Jesus. God starts 'a good work' in us, but we are required to press on by laying aside what hinders, putting to death every trace of the old ungodly character and cultivating the new (Phil 1:6, 3:12-16; Col 3:1-17; Heb 12:1). Once a person has been 'born again' it is about strengthening their connection to Christ so they become increasingly like Him, and committed to helping others to know and follow Him too (1 Thes 5:11; Heb 3:13).

teach [disciple] other faithful people' (Mt 28:19,20; 2 Tim 2:2). By building on the foundation of a solid, humble, obedient relationship with Jesus, discipleship involves imparting principles, truths and doctrine through systematic instruction, with practical training in the context of daily life, to be victorious and advance the Kingdom of God (Lk 6:47,48; Act 2:42, 6:4,7, 18:26; 1 Cor 3:10-15; 1 Tim 4:8,13; 2 Tim 3:15-17, 4:2). Jesus said, 'If you live by my teaching you really are my disciples' so read, study, memorise and meditate on the Bible, as well as receiving regular instruction from your local church and input from other spiritually sound sources to radically transform your values from those of the Kingdom of darkness to the Kingdom of God's dear Son (Jn 8:31; Col 1:13).

As disciples, we should have a passionate burden for the lost which includes those overseas who haven't heard of Christ as well as our 'neighbour' whom we can engage in intentional relationship. By entering their lives with unconditional love, we can earn the right to dialogue on spiritual issues. Our lives are a witness (either for or against the values of Christ) which should create in the unsaved a desire to know more about this Jesus, leading to a salvation experience – a definite crossing over from death to life (Jn 5:24).

A true disciple of Jesus must turn away from wickedness and not give greater devotion to anything other than God; it requires loving Him with our whole being and giving up all for Him (Ex 20:3; Mk 12:30; Lk 14:25-33; 2 Tim 2:19). Grasp the immense privilege of being a disciple of Jesus and make Him happy that you were chosen by living a godly life (Jn 15:16; Eph 1:4). Until the day we die, we should be in the process of transformation in our thinking, behavior, emotions, and reactions to situations, besides helping each other become mature disciples by informal, genuine and committed relationships.

Following Jesus requires a radical reordering of priorities and loyalties. The New Testament consistently presents discipleship as costly, requiring self-denial, cross-bearing, and willingness to

Am I a real disciple of Jesus?

surrender all for the sake of Christ (Lk 9:23, 14:25-33). This counters the modern tendency to present faith as a comfortable addition to life rather than a transformative revolution of it. True discipleship demands that we place Christ above family, career, personal ambitions, and even our own lives. Jesus' call to "take up your cross daily" signifies a continual willingness to face rejection, sacrifice, and suffering for the sake of the Kingdom. This does not mean seeking martyrdom, but rather embracing the reality that faithful obedience may lead to opposition, loss, or hardship in a world that resists God's ways.

The cost is real, but so are the rewards. Jesus promised that those who give up everything for His sake will receive "a hundred times more in this present age...and in the age to come eternal life" (Mk 10:29-30). The measure of discipleship is not comfort but conformity to Christ, not popularity but faithfulness.

Discipleship is never a solitary journey but occurs within the context of Christian community. From the beginning, Jesus called people into relationship with Himself and with one another. The early church "devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer" creating a 

True Christian discipleship involves intimate ‘oneness’ with Jesus

transformative community where disciples were formed  (Act 2:42). This communal dimension includes mutual

encouragement, accountability, service, and the practice of spiritual disciplines together. Believers sharpen one another like iron sharpens iron, challenging each other to grow in holiness and faithfulness (Prov 27:17).

Within this community, spiritual gifts are exercised for the common good, with mature believers mentoring and equipping others for ministry (Eph 4:11-13). The New Testament epistles are filled with "one another" commands that define the relational dynamics of discipleship: love one another, serve one another, forgive one another, bear one another's burdens, and spur one another on toward love and good deeds. As disciples, we participate in God's life by living in authentic, vulnerable community that reflects His love to the world. Jesus said, "By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another" , making Christian community both the context and evidence of genuine discipleship (Jn 13:35).