What is a Disciple?
The Greek word gives us the idea that a disciple is one whose education consists in the appropriation or adoption of a specific knowledge or conduct, and that it progresses both deliberately and according to a set plan. Thus, there is no disciple without a teacher. The disciple is an apprentice, a learner, a pupil.
In the New Testament, this term is mostly used to denote those men who have attached themselves to Jesus as their master. The word implies the existence of a personal attachment which shapes the whole life of the one described as a disciple. It implies a supremely personal union between Jesus and those who follow him. The idea of discipleship finds its roots in the Jewish relationship between the Rabbi and his student, the talmed. The talmed was a pupil and a listener whose only task was to acquire knowledge from his teacher. The talmed was one who gave himself as a learner to Scripture and to the religious tradition of Judaism. However, the concept of discipleship that Jesus introduced goes far beyond this.
In the gospels, we see that discipleship is a commitment to the person of Jesus. It is a very intimate, personal relationship which manifests itself as an undying allegiance to Jesus himself. Discipleship is also obedience to Jesus and his teachings. “If anyone wants to follow me, he must deny himself, take up his cross and follow me.” Finally, discipleship denotes the obligation to suffer with Jesus. This means identification with Jesus in his death. Simply put, a disciple is one who loves Jesus above all earthly loyalties, one who seeks to obey Jesus no matter the cost, and one who seeks to identify with him in his sufferings
When Jesus gives the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20, he states that part of making disciples is “teaching them to obey.” Jesus is advocating practical holiness. Notice the command is not merely just to teach, but to teach them to obey. This is something we have lost sight of. Teaching is not teaching unless it includes an emphasis on a lifestyle of obedience that is birthed, sustained, and furthered through the death and resurrection of Christ. But how do we do this? How do we teach in this manner? How do we not just fill people’s head with knowledge? How do we lead them in the process of sanctification? This leads us to our next section.
How Do We Make Them?
In the ministry of Jesus, he engaged in three levels of preaching/teaching: to the crowds, the twelve, and the three. The majority of Jesus ministry was spent in training the twelve disciples, with a deliberate emphasis on Peter, James, and John. The Gospels thus show us that personal discipleship was the main focus of Jesus’ ministry.
I would even argue that the main reason Jesus came to earth was to make disciples. He did it in his life, death, and resurrection. Jesus came not to make converts, or fans, but disciples. This process is started, continued, and finished through his death, resurrection, high priestly work, and return. Not to mention that it is the word “disciple” that is used most in the New Testament to describe those who have been regenerated and placed their faith in Christ. To drive this point even further, let us look at the story of Peter. After he denied Christ, why did Jesus come back to him?
In order to answer this we have to first ask, “why did Jesus come to earth?” He came to earth because it was the will and plan that was established within the Trinity before the foundation of the world in their covenant of redemption. He came to bring the Father glory by completing the work he would have him do. This being the case, if his death and resurrection was the end of that work, why did Jesus stick around for forty more days? The reason is that he was not done discipling the twelve. There was more they needed to see, hear, and understand. When this process was finished, Jesus left and sent the promise of the Father (the Holy Spirit) so that his ministry could continue both in and through the twelve and the rest of the church. So, how does this relate to Jesus restoring Peter? Jesus was about making disciples, and Peter was not finished.
Jesus came to make disciples. He modeled in his life, and accomplished it in his death and resurrection. This is why we are given the Great Commission. Jesus death and resurrection was not just about saving his people from hell and sin; that is just the foundation. The depth of the event was so that we, as God’s elect, could partake in the fullness of identification with him, the fullness of the atonement.
So, practically speaking, how did Jesus do it? How did he make disciples? He did it through nine different avenues:
- He taught them (see the Parable of the Sower in Mark 4).
- He was an example to them. He brought them with him everywhere he went.
- He ate and drank with them. In essence, he hung out with them.
- He entrust them with responsibility (in Luke 10 he sends out his disciples on their first evangelism excursion).
- Accountability (In Luke 10 he has them report back to him).
- He prays for them (John 17- High priestly prayer).
- He sets himself apart for them. (John 17:17).
- He disciplines and corrects them (see the rebuke of James and John. Mk. 10:35; Luke 9:55).
- He lavishes them with grace (see the restoration of Peter in John 21).
Along with this, we see that Jesus took his disciples through three phases.
Phase one. This first stage took place early on in Jesus’ ministry, probably around the early spring of 29 AD and is found in Matt 4:18-22; Mk 1:16-20; Lk 5:1-11. In this stage, the disciples were simply believers in him as the Christ, and his occasional companions at convenient, festive seasons. This phase also included uninterrupted attendance on his person, involving entire, or at least habitual, abandonment of secular occupations. At this point, the disciples move from mere acquaintances of Jesus to followers.
Phase two. This phase is seen in the choosing of the twelve for apostleship (Matt 10:1-4; Mk 3:13-19; Lk 6:12-16) and probably took place in the summer of 29 AD. In the earlier part of Jesus ministry his teaching was very simplistic and elementary. However, after the twelve are chosen, the work of the kingdom has grown and Jesus teachings become more in depth.
Phase three. This phase is seen in their commission that is found in Matt 28:19-20, and takes place after Jesus resurrection. At this point, the disciples are now commissioned and sent out to do the work in which Jesus has been training them to do.
In all of this, Jesus is constantly moving back and forth in three different dimensions of discipleship. He is teaching them to be students of his doctrine, fellow laborers, and finally, his chosen instrument to spread the gospel. In essence, Jesus is teaching them what they should be (his disciple), do (plan and engage in his work) and teach (his words).
What this means is that the way in which we make disciples, whether it be in our home or in our churches, should reflect this process. This means that we have to be intentional. We have to have vision. We have to know where we are going and where we are going to lead a person. Discipleship is not haphazard. It is meticulous, focused, and always moving. If we are really serious about walking as Jesus walked, and if we are truly serious about letting him live through us and getting caught up in what he is doing, then we will be about this business of making disciples.