To be a disciple of Jesus means fully following and obeying Him. It requires denying oneself, taking up one's cross daily, and loving Jesus above all else. A disciple imitates Jesus by living according to His teachings, spending time with Him in prayer and Scripture, and proclaiming the gospel to others. The ultimate goal of a disciple is to become like Jesus in character.

1. What Does It Mean to be a Disciple of Jesus?
We will begin by looking at what Matthew wrote about what Jesus did at the beginning and the end
of His earthly ministry.
Matthew 4:19 (NLT)
“Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” (Most of the time when Jesus called
men to be His disciples He said simply, “Follow Me”.
Matthew 28:18-20 (NLT)
Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth.
Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and
the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you.
And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
What does it mean to be a disciple of Jesus?
First of all, a disciple of Jesus is someone who believes the gospel message that Jesus died for
their sin and rose again. This results in them turning from their rebellion against God back to Him
and giving Him His rightful place in their heart and lives and putting their trust in Jesus and all that
He did in order for them to be reconciled and restored to God.
They then accept Jesus’ invitation to follow Him, to be His disciple and they join with others who
have also become disciples of Jesus.
Meaning of “Disciple”
The word “disciple” came from the Greek word Μαθητής – mathētēs (math-ay-tes’) and it means
learner, apprentice and follower.
The idea of being a disciple was not exclusive to those who followed Jesus. John the Baptist had
disciples, so did Paul, even the Jews of Jesus’ day considered themselves to be disciples of
Moses. The ancient Greek philosophers and the leaders of the mystery religions also had
disciples.
Customarily, disciples left home and moved in with their teacher, who provided their food and
lodging. The disciples became his servants and were under his total authority.
The emphasis on discipleship was not just on formal school learning, but also included fellowship
with the teacher. Disciples derived not only information from their teacher but also inspiration.
They lived with their teacher and carried on the tradition of their teacher. After he died they taught
the same things that he did to their own disciples. Having disciples was the main means of
perpetuating teaching in the ancient world, since many great teachers wrote no books.
This understanding of what a disciple was in ancient times helps us to see that a disciple is not
only one who is just a learner but someone who has a intimate relationship with the teacher. They
experience life together, they spend time together and through their interaction the disciple
becomes more and more like his teacher.
Being a Disciple According to Jesus
In order to really understand what it means to be a disciple of Jesus we need to take a look at
what He said makes someone His disciple.

2. Matthew 28:19-20 (NLT)
Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and
the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given
you...
Mark 8:34-35 (NIV)
Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.
For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the
gospel will save it.
Luke 6:40 (NKJ)
A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is perfectly trained will be like his teacher.
Luke 14:25-27, 33 (NIV)
Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: “If anyone comes to me and
does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life
—such a person cannot be my disciple. And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me
cannot be my disciple… In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have
cannot be my disciples.
John 8:31-32 (NIV)
To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my
disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
John 13:35 (NIV)
By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.
John 14:15-16 (NIV)
If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another
advocate to help you and be with you forever—
John 15:7-8 (NIV)
If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for
you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
Summary of what it takes to be a disciple according to Jesus
1. Denies self, carries cross and follows Jesus.
2. Loves Jesus more than anything else, including life itself.
3. Obeys and holds on to what Jesus taught.
4. Loves other disciples.
5. Bears much fruit.
6. Becomes like Jesus.
What did Peter and Paul say that also helps us to understand what a disciple is?
1 Peter 3:15 (NIV 1984)
But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord...
Reminds me of a good quote by Paul Tripp- “The fundamental difference between the kingdom of
God and the kingdom of self is captured by one question. Who resides at the center?”
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3. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NIV)
Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have
received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with
your bodies.
2 Corinthians 5:15 (NKJ)
and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died
for them and rose again.
Galatians 2:20 (NIV) - The Disciple’s Creed
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in
the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
In addition to learning what it means to be a disciple of Jesus from what He said we can also learn
what a disciple is from looking at how Jesus lived.
What Did Jesus Do?
1. He did the will of the Father not His own, He denied himself.
2. He depended on the power of the Holy Spirit through the Father.
3. He studied and meditated on the Word of God.
4. He spent time alone in prayer with the Father.
5. He loved others sacrificially; He gave of Himself to help others.
6. He proclaimed the gospel and called people to repent and turn back to God.
7. He made disciples; He spent time helping others to grow spiritually.
Review Questions
1. What things about being a disciple of Jesus spoke most to your heart during this teaching
and why?
2. On a scale of 1 to 10 how would you rate yourself as a disciple of Jesus based on what
your learned in this teaching?
3. What are one or two things you can do in order to grow as a disciple of Jesus. (After
sharing pray for one another.)
4. Working with your group come up with an answer to the question, “What does it mean to be
a disciple of Jesus?”
To Learn More
1. Memorize the “Disciple’s Creed” Bible verse (Galatians 2:20) and at least four other
scriptures about being a disciple of Jesus.
2. Looking at the list of seven things that Jesus did, what other things can you think of to add
to the list?
3. Spend time meditating on the Bible verses about being Jesus’ disciple and write down your
thoughts and observations.
4. Write out, in your own words, your answer to the question “What does it mean to be a
disciple of Jesus?”
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