A Biblical Basis for Discipleship
disciple: A disciple of Christ is an individual who exhibits an increasing Christ-likeness exemplified by the following:
- an undeniable love for God and others
- a vibrant prayer life
- a love of Scripture
- an obedient lifestyle of personal evangelism
- employment of talents and personal resources, spiritual gifts, and service used for the benefit of the Kingdom
- consistent manifestation of the fruit of the Spirit, and
- extravagant worship that treasures Christ
Four Disciple-making Phases in the Life of Jesus
The biblical framework overviewed here comes from the life and disciple-making model of Jesus. His spiritual leadership is captured in four biblical concepts and phrases that worked in His secular and pluralistic culture and are certain to work in ours. Each of these concepts can be found in each of the gospels. This widespread occurrence gives clear evidence of their value in the ministry of Jesus.
1.Come and See (John 1:38-39): Jesus knew that in a pre-Christian and secular world He would have to build relationships before anything else could happen. Consequently, the first phase of His ministry was usually meeting people on their turf in places where they were likely more comfortable with their environment than He was. He sought to find language that would communicate to those He was with rather than use religious language. While clear about His boundaries, He was all about building bridges rather than barriers. He wanted to attract their interest and build a relationship with them. He sought to include them in places where they could belong.
2.Come and Follow Me (Mark 1:16-17): Having attracted their interest and curiosity, Jesus had fellowship with them. At that point He was ready to engage them at their point of interest. Once a relationship was established, Jesus walked with people to the next level of their spiritual journey as He asked them to “come follow me.” This phrase is all about answering questions and responding to issues. He prayed for and worked toward divine appointments and teachable moments. When they asked, “Lord teach us to pray,” He captured that moment in their lives as a way of leading them forward in faith. Responding to their questions and issues was a way to lead them to develop spiritual life disciplines. Jesus also modeled for them spiritual leadership. His behaviors, actions, attitudes and relationships were something His followers observed as they followed Him in all arenas of life on a daily basis.
3.Come and Be with Me (Mark 3:13-14): Come be with me essentially becomes “come be me.” The follower becomes a leader of others and one who emulates the virtues, teachings, behavior and lifestyle of Christ. They can be like Christ in these ways because they have observed and learned about these ways in previous ventures with Christ. Such an incarnation-type phase of life is the essence of the Good News. \God came to earth in human form so others might see, walk with and experience Him in the daily events of life. This phase of leadership training is about deepening, integrating and personalizing those beliefs and skills to which they “bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ” ( Galatians 6:2). Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through who we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God” (Romans 5:1-2). Learning to represent His presence in various phases and stages of life demands time and patience on the part of all concerned. Walking with Jesus and learning what it is for Him to be Lord of all your life is a life stage and life change that calls forth what we were created to be. This phase is about owning who He created us to be and living into our destiny and full potential. Here is the place and experience where we find and experience all the abundant life has to offer. This is not to say it is perfection without struggle. In fact, it is only in the pain and struggle that many lessons are learned and the faithfulness of Christ in those experiences is made clear.
4.Come Abide in Me (John 15:4): Jesus declares the “field test” and apprenticeship over. He must physically leave, but He promises to leave His Spirit. Thus, we will then be able to do greater things than He has done because we have been with Him. The abiding relationship hinges on prayer and learning to live into and from the spiritual life disciplines that have been taught and caught as they walked with Christ. Abiding has an intentionality to it: being intentional about the disciplines, fellowship with other believers, reading and living lessons from Scripture, and being salt, light, and leaven in the church and as the church in the world. What a privilege! What a gift! What a responsibility! What a challenge! Growing leaders means taking them from where they are and moving them forward to their full potential. This takes time, patience, energy, commitment, perseverance, faith, conviction, dedication and much prayer.
Adapted from T-NET International materials by Bill Hull and Bob Gillam, cited in “Spiritual Leadership in a Secular Age” by Edward H. Hammett, 2006.
The following are Scriptures that describe what a disciple of Christ looks like:
- Deuteronomy 10:12-21
- Micah 6:8
- Matthew 5:3-16
- Romans 5:1-5
- Romans 12:1-21
- 1 Corinthians 13
- 2 Corinthians 3:12 – 7:1
- Galatians 5:22 – 6:10
- Ephesians 4:20 – 6:20
- 1 Peter 1:1 – 3:16
- 2 Peter 1:2 – 10
- 2 Peter 1:4 – 8
- 1 John 4:7-21