What is a Disciple? (Luke 14:26-33)

As we take a look at discipleship, we will begin to unfold the meaning of following Jesus Christ.

While doing his earthly ministry, Jesus Christ took the time to teach the men/women that he called to emulate him. Being a disciple is not for the faint at heart and it requires sacrifice, dedication, and obedience to the will of God. He has called us to be a saint/disciple first so that we may learn of Him and develop a relationship with the Master. Matthew 11:28-30 (KJV) says, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. [29] Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. [30] For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

1. What is a disciple?

2. The term disciple is derived from the New Testament Greek word, (mathetes) which means pupil (of a teacher).

3. An apprentice (to a master craftsman)

4. Comes to English through the Latin word discipulus meaning “a learner”

5. A person that follows the will of Jesus Christ

Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words describes a disciple as "not only a pupil, but an adherent...spoken of as imitators of their teacher." Disciples did not simply acquire knowledge from their teacher; rather, they learned to be like him. Christ tells those who would be His followers, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed" (John 8:31,”Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed”)

Being a disciple encompasses more than just asking Christ to come into your life, and it goes far beyond baptism. Our election, acceptance, and conversion is the beginning, the entrance into the faith and Christian life. It does not stop at the baptism and the infilling of the Holy Ghost, it starts there. (Dr. Richard Kejoir)

1. What is discipleship?

2. It is the diligent and intentional teachings and practices that promote the life-long lifestyle of becoming ever more like Jesus and reproducing the Christ-life in others.

3. It is discipling others- Matthew 28:18-20 (The Great Commission)

4. Learning to live the way God wants us to live. (Titus 2)

5. Following our Master Jesus Christ and learning to live by the wisdom of his Word.

1. Jesus called his disciples to follow him. Mark 1:16-21

2. The first four disciples called

3. Simon

4. Andrew

5. James the son of Zebedee

6. John

7. The first twelve disciples (Mark 3:14-19)

8. Simon, surname Peter

9. Andrew

10. James the son of Zebedee

11. John the brother of James

12. Philip

13. Bartholomew

14. Matthew

15. Thomas

16. James, the son of Alpheaus

17. Thaddeus

18. Simon, the Canaanite

19. Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him

1. Scriptures in which Jesus called his disciples to follow Him

2. Matthew 4:18-22

3. Matthew 9:9

4. Mark 1:16-17

5. Mark 2:14

6. Luke 5:10,11

7. Luke 5:27

8. John 1:35-43

Review Questions

1. What is a disciple?

2. What is discipleship?

3. Where does the term disciple derive from and its definition?

4. What are some of the words, phrases, terminology Jesus Christ used to call the disciples?

5. Explain why discipleship does not end at the baptism and the infilling of the Holy Ghost.

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