In its simplest form, discipleship is the “following of any teacher or school of thought.” The word “disciple” in the Scriptures has an added meaning: “a learner who endeavours to obey what he has learned.”
Christians belong to God!
“For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s.”
Romans 14:8 (NKJV)
“Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?”
1 Corinthians 6:19
Christians must recognize what’s happened to them. We get so caught up in our own thoughts and wants and wishes and dreams, that we forget we are not our own. Whether we live or die, “we are the Lord’s.” Jesus Christ “redeemed” us from spiritual death and the wrath of Almighty God. Jesus Christ “cleansed” us from all sin and gave us new life. Jesus Christ “seated” us in the heavenly realms with Him. Jesus Christ “shared” His Glory with us.
We owe Christ everything! We owe Him our lives, our hearts, our money, our time, our hopes, our dreams, our present, and our future. We belong to Christ. He is our Lord!
Goals of Discipleship
- Love God with our whole being — Matthew 22:37
- Love our families and neighbors — Matthew 22:39
- Be filled with the Holy Spirit — Ephesians 5:18
- Be holy and pure — Ephesians 1:4
- Bear spiritual fruit — Galatians 5:22-23
- Hunger and thirst after God — Matthew 5:6
- Be righteous — 1 Corinthians 15:34
- Be obedient — Romans 6:16-18
- Be unified with other Christians — 1 Corinthians 1:10
- Be prepared for spiritual battle — Ephesians 6:10-20
- Have the mind of Christ — Philippians 2:5-8
- Be wise and understanding — Ephesians 5:17
- Be set apart for holy living — 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8
- Be thankful in all circumstances — 1 Thessalonians 5:18
- Live a life worthy of the Lord — Colossians 1:9-12
- Behave in a manner worthy of the Gospel of Christ — Philippians 1:27
- Stand firm in one spirit — Philippians 1:28
- Be rooted and built up in Christ — Colossians 2:6-7
What a Disciple Does
- Puts Christ first place in every area of life and takes steps to separate from sin
- Has a consistent time of prayer and Bible study to develop a deeper walk with Christ
- Demonstrates faithfulness and has a desire to learn and apply the Word of God
- Manifests a heart for sharing Christ with unsaved people
- Fellowships with other Christians and helps them deepen their walk with Christ
- Imitates Christ’s Love and Service to God and others
- Demonstrates the fruits of the Holy Spirit in every situation of life
Discipleship Basics
- Love — 1 Corinthians 13
- Obedience — Romans 6
- Sacrifice — Romans 12
- Servitude — Philippians 2
- Knowledge — 2 Timothy 2
- Prayer — Colossians 4
- Witnessing — 2 Corinthians 5:11-21
- Fellowship — Colossians 3:12-17
Being a disciple of Jesus Christ is the most amazing adventure on Earth! If you are a disciple of Christ, rejoice and enjoy it every day of your life. Study all the Scriptures in this study and ask God for wisdom and guidance.
If you are not a disciple of Jesus Christ, pray to Him now.
“Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved.”
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith–and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God–not by works, so that no one can boast.”
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood.”
If you prayed to receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, write to me and let me know about your decision. I’d like to communicate with you about the new life God has just given you. My prayers are with you all!
In Christ’s Love and Grace,
Mark McGee
GraceLife Blog 