by There are many characteristics to being a disciple, a follower of Christ. This week’s reading assignments focused on what makes up the definition of a disciple along with the different aspects and requirements.
Within the book, Disciple Making Is . . .: How to Live the Great Commission with Passion and Confidence, chapter two, Dempsey provides breaks down what a disciple is and what is needed. In general terms, to be a disciple of Jesus, a person must give up everything and unconditionally follow Jesus.[1] In addition, they grow with other disciples, loving everyone and serving everyone. There are ten main passages that are analyzed to provide principles that are then categorized into three guiding principles. The first is sacrificial, where a person completely surrenders everything to follow Jesus. This includes worldly possessions, self-leadership, and any future goals that are not aligned with Jesus Christ. The second is relational, where disciples are around other disciples to spiritually nourish and encourage each other. “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” (Prov. 27:17, NIV). Another aspect of relational is love. Dempsey states, “Love for God, love for neighbor, and love for other disciples is a very important part of the value system of a disciple.”[2] The third is transformational, this is where a person is transformed and naturally leads by example and the person’s actions match their learnings and words.
Within the book, DiscipleShift: Five Steps That Help Your Church to Make Disciples Who Make Disciples, chapter two defines what a disciple is and the attributes of a disciple. Having a clear definition of what makes up a disciple is important because they are one of the most important purposes of the church. Putman, Harrington, and Coleman state, “It’s essential for the leadership of a church to have a unified understanding of their goal and purpose as a church. And it’s equally important that they have a unified methodology to accomplish that goal.”[3] There is one verse (Matthew 4:19) that is analyzed and provides three key attributes that include following Christ as He is the head and in charge, being changed by Christ as he changes the heart to be more like his, and to commit to the mission of Christ that involves loving others and reaching out to the lost.[4]
The integration of a church to assist with the development of disciples is important as I know some Christians state that they do not have a church and think they are able to do everything by themselves and Christ only. There is that lack of disciples helping to mature disciples. Jesus led by example when he had a group of twelve disciples that stayed together with him for over three years so each could learn and grow from Him and each other. Dempsey states, “He or she will set aside time to be with other Christians for spiritual nourishment and encouragement.”[5] This also aligns with your passage of Matthew 22:36-40 where we should love one another.
My definition of a disciple is someone that believes in the gospel, has surrendered completely to follow Jesus, focuses on growing in the Body of Christ (church), and is actively working with God on making more disciples. The scriptures that helped with creating this definition include:
- “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Rom. 6:23)
- “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 8:31-32)
- “so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” (Eph. 4:12-13)
- “‘Come, follow me,’ Jesus said, ‘and I will send you out to fish for people.’’ (Matt. 4:19)
- “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matt. 28:19-20)
I agree that disciples will be different parts of the Body of Christ and will need to further develop and grow as the part he or she is supposed to be. Some will become pastors, evangelists, teachers, etc. A true disciple will always keep the Great Commandment and the Great Commission as part of their purpose statement to being a good disciple.
** Note from Professor – Good job on your definition of discipleship. So many people don’t truly understand what Christian discipleship is and therefore are unable to do it. At the same time, those who have a distorted view of discipleship need to realize it and then seek to gain a better understanding. One cannot fix what one does not acknowledge. – Dr. Jonathan Geukgeuzian
Bibliography
Dempsey, Rod. “Beginning on a Sure Foundation.” In Disciple Making Is . . .: How to Live the Great Commission with Passion and Confidence. Nashville, TN: B&H Academic, 2013.
Putman, Jim, Bobby Harrington, and Robert E. Coleman. DiscipleShift: Five Steps That Help Your Church to Make Disciples Who Make Disciples. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2013.
[1] Rod Dempsey, “Beginning on a Sure Foundation,” in Disciple Making Is . . .: How to Live the Great Commission with Passion and Confidence (Nashville, TN: B&H Academic, 2013), 22.
[2] Ibid., 27.
[3] Putman, Harrington, etc., DiscipleShift:, 44.
[4] Ibid., 51.
[5] Dempsey, “Beginning,”, 27.