by Jackie David Johns
BIBLICAL DISCIPLESHIP: Connected, Obedient, and Disciplined
THE PATTERN OF
Jesus told the crowds, “Whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple” (Luke 14:27 NKJV).
loving discipline? That seems to be the message of the New Testament. A careful study of the biblical references to disciple and discipleship will reveal that discipleship is not so much about being strong or wise or even pure. Discipleship is about being connected, obedient, and disciplined. Discipleship is one of the most dis- cussed and perhaps least understood concepts in Christianity. A review of popular literature reveals many differing understandings of Christian disciple- ship. One approach is to emphasize the development of Christian character— disciples maintain a Christlike attitude. Some understand disciples primarily as advanced students of the Bible—disciples can trace the important teachings of the Bible throughout both Testaments. Another stream emphasizes not Bible knowledge, but application of the Scrip- tures to daily life—what would Jesus do? Still others take the approach that true disciples are masters of the spiritual dis- ciplines—disciples maintain a routine of prayer, Bible study, worship, witnessing, and so on. There is truth in each of these models, but what does the Bible reveal about discipleship?
W
Discipleship Is Being Connected In the New Testament, the word
disciple is used in several ways. It is an educational term that refers to individuals who have bonded themselves to a teacher, or school of thought. John the Baptist,
10 EVANGEL | November 2010
HAT IF DISCIPLESHIP is less about earning merit badges and more about embracing God’s
Jesus, and the Pharisees had disciples. Their roles were much like what would today be called apprentices. They listened to the teacher who also modeled for them a pattern of living. We might think of discipleship as an internship in which the disciple learns and puts into practice the teachings of the master. In some cases, they also served as representatives or ambassadors of their teacher. The dis- ciples of John, the disciples of the Phari- sees, and the disciples of Jesus functioned in each of these ways.
The New Testament also has a special
use for disciple as a title given to those who follow Jesus. When Jesus called
Discipleship Is Being Obedient Jesus further refined the meaning of
disciple through His specific teachings on being His disciple. Jesus requires that His disciples be obedient (Matt. 28:19-20). They must follow Him in self-denial by forsaking all and taking up a cross (Matt. 10:37-38; Luke 14:26-27). He said that His disciples were to become like Him; they were to do the works of Jesus, pro- claim the words of Jesus, publicly confess Jesus, and overcome like Jesus (Matt. 10:22-33).
Growing Disciples
individuals to be His disciples, it was an invitation to follow Him. In the Gospels, when Jesus uses the phrases “Come after Me,” “Follow Me,” and “Be My disciple,” He is referring to the same thing. There were some disciples, the Twelve, who fol- lowed very close to Him; but there was a larger group that also followed close and was even sent out to minister in His name—the Seventy. Other groups and even large crowds that followed Him were called His disciples. In the Book of Acts, the word disciple is used exclusively as a synonym for Christian.
Jesus made clear that all of His dis- ciples were to have an intimate relation- ship with Him and each other. They were to abide in His word, and His word would set them free (John 8:28-32). They were to love one another (13:34-35) and bear fruit (15:8-9). All of this was dependent on a relationship with Jesus analogous to a vine and its branches. Within this teach- ing, Jesus brings His disciples into a direct relationship with the heavenly Father, who is the Vinedresser. The Father removes and burns branches that do not bear fruit and prunes the branches that do bear fruit so that they bear more fruit (vv. 1-6).
Discipleship Is Being Disciplined
Biblical discipleship requires knowing God as heavenly Father who disciplines His children for the purpose of their perfection in Christ. Although the word disciple is not used, this is the message of Hebrews 12:1-11. Here, Christians are challenged to consider the faithful saints of the past who now look on as witnesses of the Christians’ race toward the finish
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