8115 discipleship, nature of

The state of following Jesus Christ, and serving and obeying him. The NT stresses the privileges, joys and cost of this calling.

Discipleship involves learning

Learning from God Jn 6:45 See also Isa 54:13; Lev 11:44-45; Lev 19:2; Lev 20:7; Eph 5:1-2; 1Pe 1:15-16

Learning from Jesus Christ Mt 11:29 See also Jn 13:15; Eph 4:20-21; Php 2:5; 1Pe 2:21; 1Jn 2:6

Learning from the Holy Spirit Jn 14:26 See also Lk 12:12; Jn 16:13; 1Co 2:13; Eph 1:17; Eph 3:16-19; 1Pe 1:12

Learning from other people Php 4:9 See also Dt 4:10; Dt 5:1; Dt 31:12; 1Co 4:6,16; 1Co 11:1; Php 3:17; 2Th 3:7,9; 1Ti 2:11; 1Ti 5:4; 2Ti 3:14

Learning to do what is good Tit 3:14 See also Ps 34:14; Ps 37:27; Isa 1:17; Isa 26:9; 3Jn 11

Jesus Christ calls people to be his disciples

Mt 4:19 pp Mk 1:17 See also Mt 4:21 pp Mk 1:20 Jesus Christ calls James and John; Mt 8:21-22 pp Lk 9:59-60; Mt 9:9 pp Mk 2:14 pp Lk 5:27 Jesus Christ calls Matthew; Mt 19:21 pp Mk 10:21 pp Lk 18:22; Jn 1:43 Jesus Christ calls Philip; Jn 21:19

The consequences of discipleship

Following Jesus Christ Mt 10:38 See also Mt 16:24 pp Mk 8:34 pp Lk 9:23; Lk 14:27; Jn 10:27; Jn 12:26; Rev 14:4

Serving Jesus Christ Col 3:24 See also Mt 20:25-28 pp Mk 10:42-45; Ro 12:11; 1Th 1:9

Obeying Jesus Christ Jn 8:31 See also Jn 14:21,23-24; Jn 15:10,14; 1Jn 2:3; 1Jn 3:22,24; 1Jn 5:3

Responding immediately to Jesus Christ’s commands Mt 8:21-22 See also Mt 4:20 pp Mk 1:18; Mt 4:22 pp Mk 1:20 pp Lk 5:11

Living for Jesus Christ and not for oneself 2Co 5:15 See also Ro 14:7-8; 1Pe 4:2

Loving others Jn 13:12-17 See also Jn 15:9-14; 1Jn 4:7-21

Total commitment is required of Jesus Christ’s disciples

Mt 10:37-39 See also Mt 16:24-25 pp Mk 8:34-35 pp Lk 9:23-24; Mk 6:8; Lk 14:26-27; Lk 17:33; Jn 12:25

The purpose of discipleship is to become Christlike

Eph 4:22-24 See also Mt 5:48; Lk 6:40; Ro 8:29 God’s purpose in election; Ro 12:1-2; Ro 13:14; 2Co 3:18; 2Co 7:1; Eph 1:4; Col 1:28; Col 3:12; 2Ti 3:17 the purpose of Scripture; 1Pe 1:14-15 a call to holiness; 2Pe 1:5-7; 1Jn 3:2-3

Examples of secret discipleship

Jn 3:1-2 See also Jn 7:50; Jn 12:42; Jn 19:38-39

See also