The words “disciple” and “follower” are often used interchangeably in Christian language, but they carry very different meanings. Being a follower of Jesus is more than just learning from Him—it means striving to fully reflect His life and teachings in every aspect of your own life. So, what’s the real difference between being a disciple and being a follower?
Let’s explore these concepts and see what Scripture teaches about distinction.
The Disciple: A Learner of Christ’s Teachings
In the biblical context, a disciple is a student or learner. The Greek word for disciple, mathētēs (μαθητής), refers to someone who studies and absorbs knowledge from a teacher. Throughout the Gospels, we see that many people came to Jesus to learn from His teachings, to witness His miracles, and to gain insight into His wisdom. They were engaged with Jesus intellectually, learning from Him as their teacher.
In the Hebrew context, the word limmud (לִמֻּד) means someone who is taught or accustomed to a way of life. As a disciple, you are actively learning, growing in knowledge, and being influenced by the teachings of Jesus. But there’s an important distinction: disciples may know about Jesus and His ways, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they are transformed into His likeness.
A disciple can learn all the correct doctrines, attend church regularly, and even participate in ministry. However, without fully committing to reflecting on Christ’s life, a disciple might remain just that—a student—without fully realizing what it means to follow Jesus completely.
The Follower: A Complete Mirror of Christ
While a disciple learns from Jesus, a follower goes a step further. The Greek phrase deute opiso mou (Δεῦτε ὀπίσω μου), meaning “come behind me” or “follow fully,” is used when Jesus calls people to follow Him. A follower isn’t just someone who learns; a follower is someone who strives to mirror the life of Jesus in every way.
When Jesus says, “Follow me,” He’s not simply inviting people to listen to His teachings—He’s calling them to become like Him. A follower doesn’t just take in knowledge; they reflect the character, values, and mission of the one they follow. To follow Jesus means to become a reflection of Him, allowing His life to be lived out through you.
Following is a total commitment. It requires that you align your thoughts, actions, and decisions with the life and mission of Christ. As Jesus says in Matthew 16:24, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” This is a call to be a complete mirror of Christ, to take on His likeness and join Him on His mission.
The Key Difference: Learning vs. Transformation
The significant distinction between a disciple and a follower lies in the degree of transformation. A disciple can learn about Christ, but a follower is fully transformed into His image.
Being a follower of Christ is about more than acquiring knowledge. It’s about embodying that knowledge in every aspect of life. A disciple may study the Word of God, but a follower lives out the Word of God daily. A disciple may know the teachings of Jesus, but a follower becomes those teachings in action, word, and spirit.
The Apostle Paul echoes this idea in Colossians 1:28, where he urges believers to proclaim Christ so that “we may present everyone fully mature in Christ.” The goal of following Jesus is not just to learn from Him but to become mature and complete in Christ. A disciple is on the path of learning, while a follower lives in the fullness of that transformation.
Why This Difference Matters Today
In modern Christianity, it’s easy to settle into being a disciple. We can attend Bible studies, read theological books, and engage in discussions about Jesus’ teachings. But true transformation comes when we move from being mere students of Jesus to being followers—those who mirror Him fully in our lives.
Being a follower requires commitment, sacrifice, and daily renewal of our minds (Romans 12:2). It’s not just about learning; it’s about becoming like Jesus, reflecting His love, His grace, and His mission in the world.
Practical Steps to Move From Disciple to Follower
If you find yourself in the role of a disciple—learning from Jesus but not yet fully reflecting Him—here are some steps you can take to move toward becoming a true follower:
Surrender Completely to Christ’s Lordship: Being a follower means giving up control of your life to Jesus. This involves surrendering your desires, plans, and ambitions to align fully with His will. Ask yourself, “Where am I holding back from letting Christ take control?”
Embrace Transformation, Not Just Information: It’s easy to accumulate knowledge about Jesus, but are you letting that knowledge change you? Reflect on areas in your life where you need to live out Christ’s teachings more fully—whether in your relationships, work, or personal habits.
Follow Jesus’ Example in Everyday Life: Being a follower means doing what Jesus did. How can you mirror His life in your daily interactions? Do you love your neighbors as He did? Are you serving others with humility? Strive to reflect His character in all areas of life.
Seek Fellowship and Accountability: Followers of Christ don’t walk the path alone. Surround yourself with other believers who will encourage and challenge you to live out your faith. Find mentors or accountability partners who will help you stay committed to the life of a follower.
Conclusion: Becoming a True Follower of Christ
The call to follow Jesus is not just an invitation to learn from Him but to be transformed by Him. While disciples may study His teachings, followers become His teachings, reflecting His life and mission in everything they do.
So, where are you on this journey? Are you simply learning about Jesus, or are you fully committed to becoming like Him? The call to follow Jesus is a call to become a complete mirror of Christ—a journey of transformation that goes beyond knowledge and leads to a life fully lived in Him.
What’s in This Series?
Thank you for joining us in our six-part series on discipleship! We’ll continue to explore different aspects of what it means to follow Jesus and live as His disciple. Here is what is in this series:
What Does It Mean to Be a Disciple of Christ? Part 1 addresses the question we need to ask ourselves is: Are we just attending church, or are we actively being transformed as followers of Jesus?
Disciple or Follower: Is There a Difference? In Part 2, we’ll dive deeper into the distinctions between being a follower of Jesus and a true disciple. What does it mean to fully commit to Christ’s teachings, and how can we move from passive belief to active transformation?
Biblical Models of Discipleship: Lessons from the Old and New Testament. In Part 3, we’ll look at how discipleship has been modeled throughout the Bible, from Moses and Joshua to Paul and Timothy, and what we can learn from their relationships today.
The Role of the Discipler and Mentee: Why Relationships Matter in Discipleship Relationships are central to spiritual growth. In Part 4, we’ll explore the vital role that mentor-mentee relationships play in the process of discipleship.
Why One-on-One Discipleship Still Matters Today. As churches grow larger and small groups become more common, is one-on-one discipleship still relevant? In Part 5, we’ll make the case for returning to this biblical model for deeper spiritual growth.
Measuring Discipleship: How Do We Know We’re Making Progress? Finally, in Part 6, we’ll discuss how to measure the effectiveness of discipleship—both in our own lives and in the lives of those we disciple. What are the true indicators of spiritual growth?
Stay tuned as we continue this journey of rediscovering what it means to live as faithful disciples of Christ!
