Discipleship is not just a New Testament concept; it has deep roots throughout the entire Bible, both in the Old Testament and in the life and ministry of Jesus. By looking at these biblical discipleship models, we can better understand what it means to disciple others and be discipled.
This post explores key discipleship relationships in Scripture, starting from the Old Testament and moving through the New Testament. These examples illustrate the heart of discipleship and offer practical insights into how we can live out this call today.
Old Testament Discipleship: Moses and Joshua
One of the earliest and most powerful examples of discipleship comes from the relationship between Moses and Joshua. As Moses led the Israelites through the wilderness, he also trained and prepared Joshua to take over as leader. This one-on-one relationship was foundational for the future of God’s people.
Moses didn’t just teach Joshua laws and commands. He modeled a life of obedience and faithfulness to God. Joshua walked alongside Moses, learning not only from his words but from his actions. This discipleship relationship culminated in Moses commissioning Joshua to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land (Deut 31:7-8).
The lesson here is that discipleship involves both instruction and modeling. Joshua didn’t just hear about Moses’ faith—he saw it lived out in real-time. In our discipleship relationships, we need to go beyond just teaching principles. We must be living examples of what it means to follow Christ so that others can learn from our lives, not just our words.
Old Testament Discipleship: Elijah and Elisha
Another profound example of discipleship in the Old Testament is the relationship between the prophet Elijah and his successor, Elisha. Knowing that his time was coming to an end, Elijah sought out Elisha and mentored him in the ways of the Lord. This wasn’t just a teacher-student relationship but a deep, personal connection where Elijah passed on his prophetic ministry to Elisha.
The depth of Elisha’s commitment to follow Elijah stands out in this relationship. When Elijah was taken up to heaven, Elisha witnessed it, and he received a double portion of Elijah’s spirit (2 Kings 2:9-12). This illustrates the idea that true discipleship prepares the next generation to carry on the work and do even greater things.
In discipleship today, are we equipping others to take up leadership and go even further than we have? Elijah didn’t hold back from sharing his wisdom and experience with Elisha. As we disciple others, we should prepare them to take on greater responsibilities in God’s kingdom.
New Testament Discipleship: Jesus and His Disciples
When we think of biblical discipleship, the most obvious example is Jesus and His twelve disciples. But Jesus’ approach to discipleship was revolutionary for its time. Unlike the rabbinical tradition, where students sought out their teachers, Jesus chose His disciples and invited them into a life-transforming relationship.
Jesus didn’t just teach His disciples facts or doctrines. He modeled a life of prayer, service, and sacrifice. He took them with Him as He healed the sick, preached the Gospel, and demonstrated the power of God’s kingdom. More importantly, Jesus didn’t just train them to follow Him—He equipped them to go out and make more disciples (Matt 28:19-20).
What can we learn from Jesus’ approach? First, discipleship is intentional. Jesus didn’t wait for people to come to Him; He called them to follow. Second, discipleship is life-on-life. The disciples learned by walking with Jesus, seeing how He lived and interacted with others. Finally, discipleship has a mission. Jesus didn’t just train His disciples for their benefit—He sent them out to continue His work.
In our discipleship efforts, we must be intentional about who we are investing in, allow them to see how we live, and equip them to disciple others.
Paul and Timothy: The Power of Spiritual Mentorship
The Apostle Paul’s relationship with Timothy is another powerful example of New Testament discipleship. Paul didn’t just share the Gospel with Timothy; he mentored him, guiding his spiritual growth and leadership in the early church. Paul calls Timothy his “true child in the faith” (1 Tim 1:2), showing the deep personal bond that formed between them.
Paul’s letters to Timothy are filled with practical wisdom, encouragement, and instruction. He didn’t just teach Timothy about the Gospel—he modeled what it meant to be a faithful servant of Christ, often writing from prison while enduring persecution. Paul’s goal was to equip Timothy to carry on the work of the Gospel after him.
This shows us that discipleship involves nurturing personal faith and preparing others for leadership. Like Paul, we should pour into others, sharing not only our knowledge but also our experiences and challenges so that they can be strengthened and equipped to continue the work of Christ.
Discipleship Beyond the Individual: The Early Church Model
The book of Acts shows how the early church lived out discipleship as a community. The early Christians “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer” (Acts 2:42). Discipleship was not an individual journey but a collective one. They shared their lives, supported one another, and grew together in faith.
This communal aspect of discipleship is essential. While one-on-one relationships like those of Moses and Joshua, Elijah and Elisha, and Paul and Timothy are powerful, the early church shows us that discipleship can flourish in a community setting. In today’s churches, small groups, Bible studies, and fellowship groups can all be places where discipleship happens as we share life and faith together.
Conclusion: Lessons for Today’s Discipleship
The biblical models of discipleship give us a rich foundation for how we can live out discipleship in our lives today. Whether it’s the personal mentorship of Moses and Joshua or the life-on-life example of Jesus and His disciples, the fundamental principles remain the same: discipleship is intentional, relational, and mission-driven.
Consider who God calls you to disciple as you reflect on these models. Are you modeling your faith in a way that others can follow? Are you equipping the next generation to go further than you? Discipleship is not just about learning—it’s about living, growing, and multiplying in the life of Christ.
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!
