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)
- Abiding in the Word,
- 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)
- Love for Christ,
- 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)
- Bearing Fruit,
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)
