What Is A Disciple?
Matthew 28:18-20 NLT
18 Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations,[a] baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Matthew 28:18-19 NLT
18 Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations,[a] baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
What is a disciple?
John 8:31-32 NLT
31 Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. 32 And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
A disciple is an obedient believer in Christ.
Matthew 28:19 NLT
19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations,[a] baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Luke 14:25-27 NLT
25 A large crowd was following Jesus. He turned around and said to them, 26 “If you want to be my disciple, you must, by comparison, hate everyone else—your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple. 27 And if you do not carry your own cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple.
A disciple is fully committed to Christ.
Matthew 16:24 NIV
24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.
A disciple is sacrificial.
John 15:8 NLT
8 When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.
A disciple bears fruit and brings glory to the Father.
John 15:9-14 NLT
9 “I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. 10 When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. 11 I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! 12 This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. 13 There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command.
Greek word for "remain" = Meno, to abide, dwell, stay
Galatians 5:22-23 NLT
22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
Luke 14:28 NLT
28 “But don’t begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first calculating the cost to see if there is enough money to finish it?
Luke 14:33 NLT
33 So you cannot become my disciple without giving up everything you own.
A disciple is an obedient follower of Christ that is fully committed to living a sacrificial, fruit bearing life centered around the teachings of Jesus.
When a disciple walks into a room, the kingdom of God walks into the room.
Ephesians 2:8 NLT
8 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God.
Becoming a Christian costs you nothing—it’s a free gift. Being a disciple costs you everything.
Talk It Over
1. How have you previously defined the word “disciple”? What is a disciple?
2. Have you ever been in a situation where you had to either defend or deny your faith? If so, how did you handle it? If not, how do you think you would handle it?
3. Looking at the fruits of the Spirit-which ones are most reflected in your life? Are there any that aren’t being produced in your life?
4. Who are you becoming? Have you been solely content with being a Christian and living the “comfortable” life? Or are you being a disciple and becoming the man or woman God has called you to be?
Ask Your Kids
Luke 10: 25-3
1.What lesson does the Good Samaritan teach us?
2.Who is someone you need to ask God to help you love them like Jesus loves them?
3.How can we love ALL people?
