What is a Disciple?

Last week we learned that the mission of the Church is to make disciples. Today we will discuss the answer to a very important question: “What is a Disciple?” What does a disciple look like and how can you spot one in a crowd? Are all Christians disciples? If not, when does a Christian become a disciple? Anthony Carter has helpfully said:

Some try to make a distinction between being a disciple and being a Christian. Yet, the Bible never makes such a distinction. Before they were called Christians, they were called disciples. Being a disciple of Christ is being a Christian. Being a Christian is trusting Christ. Being a Christian is listening to Christ. Being a Christian is learning from Christ. Being a Christian is obeying Christ. Consequently, being a Christian is being a disciple. It was that way in the beginning. It continues to be that way today.

In his book, Real Life Discipleship, Jim Putman says the best definition comes from Jesus in Matthew 4:19; Jesus said to Peter and Andrew, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” In other words, a disciple: 1) follows Jesus (Head), 2) is being changed by Jesus (Heart), and is committed to Jesus’ mission (Hands). Let us further consider this definition.

Head Level: Follow Me

A Disciple Acknowledges Christ As Lord

A disciple is a follower. Jesus did not call us to make religious consumers, but disciples. Jesus’ disciples follow Him and submit to Him. He is your Savior because He is your Lord. If Jesus is not your Lord, He is not your Savior. Discipleship involves obedience to Christ; you follow Him and your priorities are set by Him. Putman writes that the decision to follow Jesus is “head level–we acknowledge Jesus as Lord–and we follow Jesus as our head.” 

A Disciple Makes a Decision to Follow Christ

Peter and Andrew are disciples because they followed Jesus. What does it mean to follow Jesus? For Peter (and us) it meant to leave all behind and go wherever Jesus goes. Peter was willing to do this because he knew that Jesus is “the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matt 16:16). Peter did not just call Jesus, Lord, He acknowledged Jesus as Lord and submitted to His authority.

Heart Level: I Will Make You

God has a Plan and the Ability to Change Us

Disciples are being changed by Jesus. Jesus told Peter and Andrew (and the rest of the disciples) that as they follow Him, He “will make you fishers of men.” Jesus told them He was going to change them by making them into something they are not. It has been noted by many that Jesus does not call the equipped but equips the called. Jesus intends to transform us from worldly, selfish living to godly, selfless living. Putman writes, “discipleship involves a heart-level change: a disciple is being changed by Christ.” 

God changes our attitudes and affections

To be a disciple means that the truth you confess at the Head level is moving to the Heart level and is changing your thoughts, desires, and responses. The Holy Spirit works within the heart of a disciple to convict him/her of sin and to desire what is good. The Fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22-23) is the evidence of the Spirit within us. We have new, godly affections.

Hands Level: Fishers of Men

Jesus’ Mission is to Seek and to Save the Lost

Jesus told the first disciples that they would do something: fish for men. These men knew how to fish for fish, but quickly realized that Jesus was inviting them to follow Him in His mission “to seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:10). Putman writes, “discipleship involves a hands-level change: a disciple is committed to the mission of Christ.” What does it mean to fish for men? In Peter’s day, fishing was an occupation, not a hobby. Our former pastor Terry Eades mentioned that Jesus used this illustration because it takes intentional effort and preparation to fish. Also, you are trying to take something out of one environment and bring it into another one. Do you know how to use the Roman Road to Salvation to share the Gospel? You can share the following verses:

• Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Because all of us have sinned, we are separated from God.
• Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” The consequence of our sin is death.
• Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” The penalty for our sin was paid by Jesus Christ.
• Romans 10:9 “If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” If we repent of our sinfulness, then confess and trust Jesus Christ as the Lord and Savior of our lives, we will be saved from the penalty of sin and receive eternal life.

Jesus’ Mission Involves Redemption and Reconciliation.

Jesus’ mission is to redeem lost people. Included in redemption is reconciliation. When God redeemed us, He reconciled us back to Himself and restored our relationship with Him. Since we have been reconciled to God, we can pursue reconciliation with one another. Paul told the Ephesians we should “endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Eph 4:3). How do we do that? We must first have the Spirit of God within us. Then we must “walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bear with one another in love” (Eph 4:1-2). 

If we are going to be a successful Church, we need to know how we are supposed to function. If we are going to make disciples, we need to know what disciples look like and how to make them. Charles Stanley has said that when we make disciples we are reproducing the life of Christ in the life of someone else. Are you committed to Jesus’ mission? Are you following Him? Can you point to areas of your life that you know Jesus is changing you? Glorify God with your life!