Discipleship is core to the Christian faith. It’s why Jesus began the Great Commission by saying, “‘Therefore go and make disciples of all nations … (Matthew 28:19a).’”
Being a disciple is more than just being a student of someone’s teaching. Being a disciple of Jesus involves abiding obedience, exhortation, sacrificial love, self-denial, and faithful witness.
As believers make disciples, they should ground themselves in the biblical definition of discipleship. Here are five key Bible passages about discipleship.
Discipleship Involves Abiding Obedience
“To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, ‘If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.’” –John 8:31–32
To hold to Jesus’ teaching is not only to believe what He said but to obey what He said. Obedience is a sign of a true disciple.
Many people may profess to be a follower of Jesus, but they choose not to follow what He teaches. Eventually, these people might reject Jesus and walk away from Him (John 6:65–66). But true believers stay and follow.
The Greek word for “hold” is menō, which means to abide, continue, or remain. Discipleship involves abiding, enduring obedience, and obedience helps a disciple know the truth and break free from sin.
Discipleship Involves Exhortation
“See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called ‘Today,’ so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.” –Hebrews 3:12–15
Obedience helps disciples break free from sin, but sin can still deceive believers and lead to hardened hearts. That is why believers are called to exhort one another daily, strengthening the faith of brothers and sisters in Christ and encouraging them to stay committed to Jesus.
And there is an urgency to exhortation. When a brother or sister in Christ has been deceived by sin, don’t allow them to dwell in it. Provide loving correction and a gentle rebuke, “as long as it is called ‘Today,’” so no one continues to be fooled by sin.
Discipleship Involves Sacrificial Love
“‘A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.’” –John 13:34–35
In the same way that obedience is a sign of a true disciple, love also signifies a true disciple. To love is to be obedient to God since He commanded His people to love Him and love others (Deuteronomy 6:5, Leviticus 19:18).
Jesus deepened the meaning of these commandments when He told His disciples to love their enemies (Matthew 5:43–48). It is easy to love those who love you; but in a world full of hate, followers of Jesus stand out from the crowd when they love those who hate them. This radical kind of love displays that disciples follow a Savior who pursued His enemies to offer the love and forgiveness they could never deserve.
Discipleship Involves Self-Denial
“Then he said to them all: ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it.’” –Luke 9:23–24
Discipleship is costly. Jesus made that clear in Luke 9:23, where he gave three commands: 1) deny yourself, 2) take up your cross daily, and 3) follow Him.
Denying yourself means disregarding your own interests and denying personal control of your life. Taking up your cross is a daily commitment to be rejected and possibly even die for the sake of Jesus. And following Jesus means obeying His teachings and following His example.
The life of a disciple is not easy. But those who deny their lives for Jesus will receive His life, while those who live life all for themselves won’t find life at all.
Discipleship Involves Faithful Witness
“Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’” –Matthew 28:18–20
To be a disciple is to make more disciples. The Christian life cannot be lived in a silo. Believers must tell others about Jesus. And this command is not limited to local discipleship. Jesus called His followers to go to the nations.
There are more than 7,000 nations (people groups) who have never heard of Jesus. It is the duty of disciples today to go to them, preach the gospel, and baptize and teach those who believe. It’s a missional faith that requires telling the world what Jesus has done in your life.
A disciple of Jesus has chosen a difficult life. A disciple obeys hard teachings, tries to keep others from straying, loves in a way that’s countercultural, lives selflessly, and then invites others to do the same. But when discipleship is hardest, it’s comforting to remember that Jesus has promised to be with you always. In every high and every low, He will never leave you.
East-West Devotionals
Dive deeper into a collection of encouraging stories and devotionals by East-West Founder John Maisel and other authors that will spur you on in gratitude, worship, and obedience.
