What is a Disciple?

A disciple of Jesus is someone who is following Jesus, being changed by Jesus, and is committed to the mission of Jesus.

We find Mark 1:17 (Matthew 4:19) to be a helpful verse that can serve as a useful framework around which we can place the teachings of the New Testament on what it means to be a disciple.

“And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” (ESV)

Notice the three key characteristics of a disciple:

He/she follows Jesus

He/she is being changed by Jesus

He/she is committed to the mission of Jesus

The diagram at the beginning of this post is a simple way that we sometimes picture how people grow as disciples:

Head – in the mind the decision to follow Jesus has been made (now he/she needs to connect in discipling relationships)

Heart – in discipling relationships we are changed by the Spirit to be more and more like Jesus (now he/she needs to minister to others)

Hand – by our actions we actively committed to the mission of Jesus (now he/she needs to share the gospel and disciple others)

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