14. Becoming a True Disciple

📖 Bible Discovery

💡 Focus Passage

🌱 Main Teachings

1. The marks of discipleship

   As followers of Jesus, our lives should bear the distinct marks that reveal who we belong to. Being a disciple isn’t just about professing belief in Christ. It’s about becoming like Him — loving as He loved, walking in obedience, bearing lasting fruit, and arming ourselves with the mind to suffer.

   What qualities does a disciple of Jesus have?

   • Love
     • For one another (Jn 13:34)
       • To love one another is Jesus’ commandment (Jn 15:12, 17). Through our love for one another, others will know we are His disciples (Jn 13:35).
       • We cannot say we love God, whom we cannot see, if we do not love our brethren, whom we can see (1 Jn 4:20-21).
     • For Jesus (Mt 22:37-38)
       • We love Christ by feeding and tending to His sheep (Jn 21:15-17).
         • Whatever we do to the least of our brothers or sisters, we do unto Jesus (Mt 25:35-40).
   • Obedience
     • If we are truly Jesus’ disciples, we will abide in His word (Jn 8:31).
       • To abide in His word, we should not only be hearers, but doers (Jas 1:22).
     • Keep His commandments (Jn 14:15, 23).
       • Our obedience is a demonstration of our love for God. If we do not keep His words, we show we do not love God (Jn 14:24).
   • Bearing fruit
     • We prove to be Jesus’ disciples if we bear fruit and glorify Him (Jn 15:8, 16).
       • Ex: Bear fruit in good works (Mt 5:16; Col 1:10).
         • Strive to do good to those around us, especially towards those of the household of faith (Gal 6:10; Heb 13:16).
   • Willing to suffer (cf. L13: “Understanding Suffering”)
     • We are granted not only to believe in Christ, but also to suffer for His sake (Phil 1:29).
       • As Jesus’ disciples, we will be like our Teacher. As Jesus was hated, we also will be hated. If Jesus was persecuted, so will we (Jn 15:18-20).
     • In our sufferings, we should rejoice that we can partake and share in Christ’s sufferings (Acts 5:41; 1 Pet 4:13).
       • See our suffering as a catalyst for growth and refinement in our character as a true disciple of Christ.
2. The cost of discipleship

   The call to discipleship is both an invitation and a cost. Throughout His ministry, Jesus emphasized that self-denial, sacrifice, and commitment are necessary to follow Him.

   (Lk 9:57-62)

   • Be willing to forsake physical or material comforts for Christ (v. 57-58).
   • Put God and His matters first, even over family or social obligations (v. 59-60; Lk 14:26).
   • Place our focus solely on Jesus and do not look back (v. 61-62).

   (Mt 16:24-26; Mk 8:34-38)

   • Deny ourselves.
     • Be willing to give up our own selfish desires and will in order to follow God’s will.
       • Say no to the desires of our flesh, which war against the Spirit (Gal 5:17).
   • Take up our cross.
     • Taking up our cross is something we must do daily (Lk 9:23). As a disciple, we must follow and obey Jesus consistently and persistently. Being a disciple of Jesus is not an identity we only assume on Sabbath or certain days, but a responsibility we bear every single day.
       • Commit to putting God first and make decisions that please Him.
   • Follow Jesus.
     • Follow the examples that Jesus has set for us (1 Pet 2:21; 1 Jn 2:6).
     • Have we counted the cost? Are we able to follow Jesus to the very end? (Lk 14:26-33; 17:33)
3. The mission of Jesus’ disciples

   Beyond our individual faith, being a disciple of Jesus is also about actively participating in the work to serve those around us. True disciples are called to shepherd the flock of Christ and preach the gospel to the ends of the earth.

   • Tend to and feed Jesus’ sheep (pastoral) - Prov 27:23; Acts 20:28; 1 Pet 5:2-3
     • As good shepherds, we ought to have the humble heart of a servant, as Jesus did (Mk 9:35; 10:42-45; Phil 2:3-4).
     • Shepherd the flock by being a good example (1 Pet 5:3).
     • Seek out the lost and bring them back to the fold (Lk 15:4-7; Jas 5:19-20).
   • Preach the gospel (evangelical) - Rom 10:14-15
     • The great commission Jesus entrusted His disciples with was to proclaim the gospel and make disciples of all nations (Mt 28:18-20).
     • We are also entrusted with this responsibility today. Apostle Paul considered preaching his sacred obligation, even pronouncing woe upon himself if he did not preach the gospel (1 Cor 9:16-17).
       • Preach in and out of season (2 Tim 4:2) and always be ready to give a defense of our faith (1 Pet 3:15).

👣 Practical Actions

• Cultivate the heart and character of a disciple.
  • As we answer Jesus’ call of discipleship, take some time to think:
    • What motivates you to become a disciple of Jesus? What can keep you grounded and help you follow Jesus to the very end?
    • Do you reflect the character of Jesus’ disciple? How can others see Jesus in you?
    • Are you willing to bear the cost to follow Jesus? What ways of thinking or distractions does Jesus want you to surrender or put aside for His sake?
  • Consider how we can grow more in the area of discipleship, whether in our character, lifestyle, or servitude in the church.
    • Put these things into prayer and ask Jesus to help us, that we might be able to faithfully follow Him every day of our lives.
• Fulfill our ministry.
  • We may not be full-time ministers or workers, but the commission of evangelism and pastoring the church is not solely for preachers or council members. Rather, Jesus calls all members to participate in the work to further His kingdom.
  • Practice personal evangelism - tips in Further Study (L14)
    • Evangelize through our lifestyle and actions.
      • Allow others to be won by our godly lifestyle and honorable conduct (1 Pet 2:12).
      • Through our actions, speech, and values, we can diffuse the fragrance of Christ and attract others to come to know Him (2 Cor 2:14-15).
  • Practice pastoral care.
    • As members of the church, we are all part of this body of Christ, so we should do our best to care for and support one another, just like in a family.
    • This care does not necessarily have to be grandiose or elaborate. Any heartfelt gesture can be meaningful and powerful, allowing others to experience the love of Christ through us. See examples in Further Study (L14).

💭 Food For Thought

• Considering the marks, cost, and mission associated with discipleship, what does it mean to truly follow Jesus in today’s world?
• Which characteristic of a disciple (e.g., love, obedience, fruitfulness, willingness to suffer) do you want to grow more in? How will you pursue and cultivate this quality?
• What opportunities for pastoral care or evangelism do you see in your local church? How can you better equip yourself to fulfill these needs?

🎯 Challenge Yourself

• Pick 3 godly virtues to focus on (e.g., humility, patience, forgiveness, etc.).
• Throughout the week, look for real-life opportunities to practice each one - whether at home, school, work, church, or other places.
• End your week by reflecting on and journaling about the moments God used to help train you.
• Reflection:
  • Was there anything about this activity that surprised you?
  • As a disciple of Jesus, why is developing your chosen virtues important? Regarding the virtues you chose, how did Jesus already set us an example of them?
  • In what situations, times, and/or with which people was it the most difficult to practice your chosen virtues? Why?
    • How might our struggles in living out Christ-like character relate to the cost of discipleship we must bear?
  • What practical steps can you take to grow further in these virtues? (e.g., memorizing and meditating on a related verse as a reminder; saying a silent prayer before reacting in high emotion/tension situations; asking a friend or family member to help keep you accountable.)
  • How can you carry this mindset of “spiritual scavenger hunting” into your daily life from now on?