DISCIPLESHIP
Lesson 1: What is a disciple and what is a disciple maker?
When we read the word “disciple” in the Bible, what it means is someone who is a “learner” or “follower.” Some people also translate it as “apprentice.”
A disciple is a person willing to learn from and follow the example of someone else.
If you’ve read the New Testament or been to a church, It’s probably a term you’ve heard. You might associate it with characters in the Bible like Peter, James and John. But if you’re willing to learn from the example of Jesus and from other followers of Jesus, you are a disciple.
Here’s the challenge Jesus offers: Are you willing to go beyond being a disciple and begin making disciples?
In order to answer that question you might be asking what does it mean to make a disciple. Let’s explore that.
Making disciples is an essential part of being a disciple in the fullest sense. Jesus’ final command on earth was in the Great Commission, where he told us, “Go and make disciples” (Matthew 28:19, New International Version).
This course is designed to give you foundationational material that you can use to begin answering the call to make disciples — that is, mentor others who want to grow in their faith in Jesus.
So imagine you’ve decided to help someone else grow in faith. Where do you start?
RespondLook at this list of ingredients for discipleship. Which do you feel the least confident in right now? Which do you feel the most confident in?
- How can I be sure I am a Christian?
- How can I be filled with the Holy Spirit?
- How do I study the Bible?
- How do I talk to God and listen to Him?
- How do I talk to other people about Jesus?
In John 15 Jesus talks to His closest friends the night before His death. He knows they are going to have to survive without Him being physically present, so He focuses on preparing them.
Jesus had intimate friendships with each of His disciples during His time on earth. Those friendships pushed the men to know Him, share their thoughts and trust one another.
I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. ... My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. John 15:6,12-14, NIV
Discipleship is more about who you know than what you know.
The key to preparing to help others grow in their faith is simple: Know that you have accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, allow His Holy Spirit to direct you, and pray for a continuous desire to know the person you are helping and to be known by them.
The mission Jesus gave his followers through the Great Commission can be understood in different ways. At its simplest, it’s about choosing to befriend people in a way that nurtures their relationships with God.
You can now define discipleship as a relationship between two individuals seeking to know Jesus more. You also now know the foundational building blocks with which to prepare your heart for discipleship: a relationship with Jesus, direction from the Holy Spirit and a desire to lead and know your disciple.
So what’s next?
Take a Step
Grab a pen and paper and write down the qualities needed to help someone else grow.
Write in the box below the qualities you think you need to help someone else grow.
What's Next:
Do you want to help someone begin or develop a friendship with God? If the answer is yes, let’s move on to Lesson 2.
