A comprehensive biblical guide for understanding, testing, and responding to teachings about discipleship and our call to reproduce faith, not just receive it.
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” — Matthew 28:19–20 (ESV)
Sections:
- The Biblical Definition of Discipleship
- The Command to Make Disciples
- The Purpose of Discipling Others
- The Process of True Discipleship
- How False Teachings Twist the Truth
- Why Many Churches Neglect Discipleship
- The Questions of Discernment
- The Harm of Shallow Christianity
- The Biblical Evidence of Discipleship in Action
- The Healthy Way to Respond
- Our Desire: Maturity, Not Membership
- A Final Note: Disciples Who Make Disciples
1. The Biblical Definition of Discipleship
A disciple is a follower and learner of Jesus Christ.
The word in Greek, mathetes, means “one who learns by following.”
Discipleship is more than information — it’s imitation and transformation.
Luke 6:40 — “A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher.”
A disciple doesn’t just believe what Jesus said — they become who Jesus is.
2. The Command to Make Disciples
The Great Commission is not a suggestion; it’s a command from the risen Lord.
Matthew 28:19–20 calls every believer to:
- Go — live missionally, not passively.
- Make disciples — not fans or followers, but fully devoted learners.
- Baptize — mark them as belonging to Christ.
- Teach — equip them to obey and grow.
Jesus didn’t say, “Go build churches” or “Go host events.”
He said, “Go make disciples.”
Discipleship is the engine of the Church’s mission — without it, the Church stalls.
3. The Purpose of Discipling Others
Discipleship is God’s method of multiplication.
2 Timothy 2:2 — “What you have heard from me… entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.”
The purpose is:
- Spiritual Growth — helping others mature in Christ (Colossians 1:28).
- Reproduction — each disciple becomes a discipler.
- Accountability — believers help one another walk in obedience.
- Unity — discipleship builds community rooted in truth.
- Kingdom Expansion — transformed lives transform others.
The gospel moves person to person, not just pulpit to pew.
4. The Process of True Discipleship
Discipleship is not a class — it’s a relationship.
A. Invitation
“Follow Me,” Jesus said (Matthew 4:19). It starts with connection, not curriculum.
B. Instruction
Jesus taught them the Word, explained the parables, and modeled obedience (Mark 4:34).
C. Imitation
The disciples watched Him, then did what He did (Luke 9:1–2).
D. Involvement
Jesus sent them out to minister, fail, learn, and grow (Luke 10:1).
E. Investment
He gave them His Spirit to continue the work (John 20:21–22).
Discipleship always moves from following Jesus to leading others to follow Him.
5. How False Teachings Twist the Truth
| False Claim | Twisted Logic | What Scripture Actually Says |
|---|---|---|
| “Discipleship is only for pastors or leaders.” | Limits spiritual growth to a few. | Every believer is called to make disciples (Matthew 28:19). |
| “Faith is private — I don’t need to teach others.” | Confuses personal faith with personal isolation. | We are called to pass faith on (2 Timothy 2:2). |
| “Evangelism is enough; discipleship is optional.” | Values conversion over transformation. | Jesus commands both (Matthew 28:19–20). |
| “Programs make disciples.” | Replaces relationship with routine. | Jesus made disciples through personal investment (Mark 3:14). |
| “Discipleship ends when you’re mature.” | Treats growth as a finish line. | We grow until we see Christ (Philippians 3:12–14). |
6. Why Many Churches Neglect Discipleship
A. Focus on Attendance Over Growth — Counting people instead of growing them.
B. Fear of Accountability — True discipleship requires correction.
C. Busyness and Distraction — Programs replace personal mentoring.
D. Comfort Culture — People prefer convenience to commitment.
E. Lack of Understanding — Confusing discipleship with Bible study alone.
Discipleship costs time, patience, and vulnerability — but the reward is eternal.
7. The Questions of Discernment
- Is this church making converts or disciples?
- Am I following Jesus closely enough for others to follow me?
- Do I have someone discipling me — and someone I’m discipling?
- Is discipleship in our church relational or just educational?
- Does this ministry reproduce faith or just manage activity?
Healthy discipleship always multiplies, never maintains.
8. The Harm of Shallow Christianity
A. Spiritual Immaturity — Without discipleship, faith stays superficial.
B. Weak Witness — Untrained believers can’t stand firm in truth.
C. Leadership Vacuums — Few are equipped to lead others.
D. False Doctrine — Without teaching, people are “tossed to and fro” (Ephesians 4:14).
E. Burnout and Isolation — Lone believers burn out faster.
Shallow faith may survive comfort, but it collapses under persecution.
9. The Biblical Evidence of Discipleship in Action
| Truth | Scripture Reference |
|---|---|
| Jesus modeled discipleship. | Mark 3:13–15 |
| The early church discipled new believers. | Acts 2:42 |
| Paul discipled Timothy. | 2 Timothy 1:2 |
| Barnabas discipled Paul and John Mark. | Acts 11:25–26; 15:39 |
| Mature believers train others. | Titus 2:3–5 |
| Disciples multiply disciples. | 2 Timothy 2:2 |
| Discipleship builds the Church. | Ephesians 4:11–16 |
True discipleship is the spiritual DNA of the New Testament Church.
10. The Healthy Way to Respond
- Be a disciple first. You can’t lead what you haven’t lived.
- Invest in others personally. Share life, not just lessons.
- Be intentional. Discipleship doesn’t happen by accident.
- Be patient. Growth takes time, and people take grace.
- Be reproducing. Always be teaching someone what God taught you.
The command is simple: Follow Jesus — and bring someone with you.
11. Our Desire: Maturity, Not Membership
Religion says, “Join a church.”
Jesus says, “Follow Me.”
Membership fills a roster; discipleship fills the world with truth.
Jesus didn’t die to make us churchgoers — He died to make us world-changers.
Ephesians 4:15 — “We are to grow up in every way into Him who is the head, into Christ.”
True discipleship is not about perfection — it’s about progress in the same direction.
12. A Final Note: Disciples Who Make Disciples
The mission didn’t end with the apostles — it began with them.
Discipleship is how faith survives every generation.
Final Reflection
- Salvation starts the journey; discipleship sustains it.
- Every believer is both a student and a teacher.
- You are saved from sin, but also saved for someone else’s growth.
The Great Commission is not complete when someone believes — it’s complete when they begin to follow.
Because discipleship isn’t just a program of the Church —
It is the purpose of the Church.