Discipleship Insights

Article Topic(s): Discipleship

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A Deeper Look into Being a Disciple of Jesus that Becomes Complete in Christ

Greg Ogden in his book Transforming Discipleship, defines a disciple as “The lexical definition of disciple (mathētēs) ‘always implies the existence of a personal attachment which shapes the whole life of the one described as mathētēs, and which in its particularity, leaves no doubt as to who is deploying the formative power.’” I just love how a disciple is expressed as somebody who leaves no doubt of the object that forms it. Ideally, this formation creates an exact replica. That said, a disciple of Jesus is one who follows Jesus, is changed by Jesus, and is on a mission with Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit. The Great Commandment states, “He said to him, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and most important command. The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets depend on these two commands.” (Matt 22:37-41 CSB) This soul, head, heart, and hands movement are shown in the following figure.

Following Jesus can be seen as:
- Abiding in the Word,
  (Jos 1:8; Pss 119:11; John 8:31, 15:7,10; Col 3:16; Jam 1:22)
- Prayer and Devotion,
  (Pss 5:3, 27:8, 107:28-30; Matt 6:6; Luke 18:1; Eph 6:18; Phil 4:6-7; 1 Thess 5:16-18; Jam 5:16)
- Renewing of the Mind.
  (Rom 12:2; Eph 4:23; Col 3:10; Titus 3:5)
Changed by Jesus, can be seen as:
- Love for Christ,
  (John 14:15,21, 21:15-17; 1 Cor 6:22; 2 Cor 5:14; Eph 6:24; Phil 3:8; Rev 2:4-5)
- Surrender to Christ,
  (Matt 16:24-25; Mark 8:34-35; Luke 9:23-24; Rom 12:1-2; Gal 2:20; Phil 3:7-8; Gal 5:22-23; Jam 1:2-3; 1 Pet 1:8-9)
- Joy & Peace in Christ.
  (Pss 16:11; Isa 26:3; John 14:27; Rom 15:13; Phil 4:6-7)
On Mission with Jesus, can be seen as:
- Bearing Fruit,
  (Pss 1:3; Matt 7:17-20; John 15:5; Gal 5:22-23; Col 1:10),
- Serves within the Body,
  (Rom 12:4-8; 1 Cor 12:12-27; Gal 5:13; Eph 4:11-13; Phil 2:3-4)
- Ambassador of Christ.
  (2 Cor 5:20; Eph 6:20; Phil 3:20; Col 4:6; 1 Pet 2:11-12)

These three discipleship facets ultimately fulfill the Great Commission. (Matt 28:19-20)

When following and change by Jesus intersect, you have discipleship happening. At the intersection of head and hands, discipling occurs as the wisdom of one believer is passed on to another believer. You are making disciples when you are changed by Jesus and that transformation or testimony is communicated to others. As Paul says, the goal in doing all these things in perfect harmony is that you are complete in Christ. (Col 1:10-15)

Provide Biblical Wisdom to Love on Your Disciple

When you disciple somebody, are you leaning on personal wisdom or providing Biblical wisdom that speaks to where they are and what they might be struggling with?

When Does Discipleship Start?

There is a common misunderstanding that discipleship is for the spiritually mature Christian to help another Christian. There are two biblical accounts that I would like to discuss that illustrate that “Go” in Matthew 28:19-20 means now, not waiting until you are spiritually mature.

Biblical Models of Discipleship: Lessons from the Old and New Testament

Discipleship has deep roots throughout the Bible, from the one-on-one mentoring of Moses and Joshua to the life-transforming relationship between Jesus and His disciples. By exploring these biblical models, we gain practical insights into how discipleship is intentional, relational, and mission-driven. Are we following these examples today, equipping others to go even further in their walk with Christ?

Disciple or Follower: Is There a Difference?

What does it really mean to follow Jesus? Is there a difference between being a disciple and a true follower? While a disciple learns from Jesus, a follower strives to fully mirror His life and teachings. In this post, we explore the key difference between learning about Christ and being transformed into His image.

Why One-on-One Discipleship Still Matters Today

One-on-one discipleship has shaped lives from Moses and Joshua to John and Polycarp. This timeless model fosters deep spiritual growth and accountability, creating a ripple effect through generations. Discover why it still matters today.

Unparalleled Impacts Being a Royal Priest

As chosen members of a holy nation, we are called to minister to one another, embodying the transformative power of God’s grace and love.

What Does It Mean to Be a Disciple of Christ?

Welcome to our six-part series on discipleship, where we’ll dive deep into what it truly means to follow Jesus, be transformed by Him, and live out His mission. In today’s church culture, the word “discipleship” is often used but rarely fully understood. This 6-part...

The Role of the Discipler and Mentee: Why Relationships Matter in Discipleship

Discipleship is more than just imparting knowledge—it’s about building relationships that lead to spiritual growth and transformation. Whether you’re guiding someone or being guided, the roles of discipler and disciple are essential for fostering deeper faith. In this post, we explore how these relationships, modeled throughout the Bible, shape our spiritual journey and how you can engage in meaningful discipleship today.

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