The Lost Need for Biblical Discipleship

Over the last decade or two, discipleship has become a lost art or a dying biblical practice for the majority of Christians.  Even in the secular realms of business, apprenticeship has become a dying process.  While each of these processes is very similar, discipleship holds more to life’s successes than apprenticeship.  Since a majority of Christian leaders have become selfish, in tandem with a majority of Christians becoming more private, discipleship has taken a backseat, leading to more immature Christians struggling to obtain victory in many areas of life.  To understand this process, one must first define discipleship.  Discipleship is the process of one who accepts and assists in spreading the doctrines of another.  The picture painted by this process reflects a teacher and a student.  The teacher gives the knowledge, wisdom, and experience they have received to the student who has made it their goal to learn and receive from the teacher, to become a disciple maker themselves one day, or concurrently to their own discipleship.  When Christians become selfish and withdraw from other Christians, this hinders many biblical processes God instituted to not only help each individual, but also the body of Christ as a whole. 

Let’s look at various Bible verses about discipleship.  Jesus gave authority and power to His disciples because they submitted to Him and were faithful (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8).  Jesus says to be His disciple, one must deny their sinful desires, do what God has called them to do, and follow Him (Luke 9:23; Matthew 16:24-25; Mark 8:34).  Discipleship requires faithfulness (2 Timothy 2:2).  Jesus requires His disciples to remain in His Word to know the truth (John 8:31-32; John 15:1-17).  Jesus requires His disciples to leave their old nature behind; this would be the sinful nature before being born again for Christians now (Luke 14:33; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 5:24).  Discipleship requires respect and honor for the disciple maker (Luke 6:40; Matthew 10:24; John 13:16-17).  Jesus gives Fivefold Ministers to help mature His disciples today (Ephesians 4:11-17; Proverbs 27:17; Hebrews 13:17).  Although there are no exact replicas, there should be some characteristics of imitation of the teacher during the discipleship process (1 Corinthians 11:1; John 13:15; John 13:35; Philippians 3:17).  Jesus declares discipleship will make the student into something better (Matthew 4:19; Mark 1:17).  Excuses hinder discipleship, and Jesus did not accept excuses (Luke 9:57-62).  Discipleship should include the Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16-17).  Disciples are known for being faithful to the church and discipleship (Acts 11:26).  Disciples are not easily offended (John 6:68).  Discipleship is not selfish (1 John 3:16; 1 Thessalonians 2:8). 

With so many Bible verses about this topic, there is a spiritual enemy that wants to prevent this process from taking place in the lives of Christians today.  When Christians understand the resources that have been given to them through God, they will be more victorious in their lives and testify more of God.  May all Christians begin to see the need for biblical discipleship again and start partaking of this resource to improve their walk with God.  May more pastors begin to use discipleship to make stronger Christians.  Discipleship is not a social gathering, but a gathering of a teacher with students who have determined to receive from the teacher God has placed in their lives to help them mature as Christians.  Food, games, and idle talk do not make discipleship, but can be used to fellowship as disciples and teachers.  May Christians get back to biblical discipleship, but also make the process a joy to participate in.  For more information about Abundant Grace Church, visit agcsparta.org.