Being a Disciple
What does “disciple” even mean? It’s one of those words Christians use and may, or may not, know what it means (some feeling like they’re in too deep to ask now!). But “disciple” isn’t an inherently Christian word at all, all it means is “student.”
A disciple is, simply put, a student of Jesus.
But don’t jump to conclusions. “Student” to us, doesn’t mean the same thing as it did to them. Our education system is much different than the one Jesus was teaching in. When we think “student” we think things like desks, tests, boring lectures, good and bad teachers, math, science, English, etc.
That’s not what a first century Jew would have envisioned though. Think more like…apprentice. An apprentice is someone who trains under a professional in order to learn their skill or trade. It’s action-oriented. To them, a student wasn’t someone there just to learn information from their teacher, they were there to learn how to be their teacher - how to think like them, act like them, and how to do the kinds of things they do.
Think about piano lessons. You sit at a piano with someone that can actually play piano. And hopefully, play it well. You watch what they do, you do what they do, and you practice it over and over in hopes that someday you can be as good as they are - playing the same complex, beautiful music they can.
When Jesus calls us to discipleship, that’s what he means. He’s not first concerned with information, but really transformation.
A disciple is not above their teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like their teacher.Luke 6:40
Knowledge is valuable, and adopting Jesus’s worldview is an important part of following him, but this has never been primarily an intellectual endeavor. This is about real life. This is about doing something in the world, about changing it. About embodying God’s Way here on earth…as it is in heaven, remember? All the knowledge in the world can’t do that.
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.1 Corinthians 4:20 NIV
So when we come to Jesus’s call to follow him, to be his disciples, this is what we must have in mind. To be his disciple is to be like him. Let’s take a look at what Jesus says it takes to be his student, his apprentice, his…disciple.
- What does it mean to deny yourself and take up your cross?
- How do we try to “save” our life and what would it look like for you to “lose” it for Jesus?
- Why do you think this is necessary to follow him?
- How does Jesus love?
- Why does Jesus say this is the primary way people will recognize his disciples?
- Who is easiest for you to love this way? Who is hardest for you to love?
- What does it look like to “hold onto” Jesus’ teachings?
- How does the truth set us free?
- What teachings are hardest for you to obey? Why?
- How do we “remain” in Jesus?
- What does he mean by “fruit”?
- Do you see any fruit in your life?
- Who are you most tempted to put above Jesus?
- What does it look like to love Jesus more than them?
- How can we grow in our love for God?
- What do you think Jesus is trying to say here?
- Why is it important to count the cost of following Jesus before giving your life to him?
- Based on these signs, are you living as a disciple?
- What signs are visible in your life? What signs are not?
Read l John l-2:6 and journal on the questions below.
- What stands out to you?
- What do you not understand or what questions do you have?
- What do you think it would look like for you to “live as Jesus did”? What would change about your life?
- Make a list of everything that's important to you: relationships, possessions, dreams, plans, sins, colleges, degrees, etc. Which of these would be hardest for you to give up for Christ? How could you see him asking you to do so?