Three Essentials Of Biblical Discipleship
Three essentials of Biblical discipleship include intentionality, teaching scripture, and Godly relationships. It’s purposeful on God’s part and ours. But first, let’s define it. Simply put, disciples are Christ-followers who desire to please God and pursue a life of righteousness by obeying his commands.
Three essentials of Biblical discipleship include intentionality.
You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. (ESV, John 15:16)
Jesus and his twelve disciples were intentional in discipleship. Jesus personally recruited them individually as followers and they, in turn, called him Rabbi, which means teacher. Both parties agreed on the discipleship arrangement and the same is true today. Jesus taught them verbally, by example, and through practical ministry. The disciples listened and asked questions, participated in his ministry, and eventually, went on their own missionary journey.
Although the twelve disciples were his inner circle, Jesus called all new followers into discipleship and expanded his teaching to include them. He warned that genuine discipleship was not all spiritual fun and games or constant warm fuzzies. It also involved sacrifice, persecution, and testing. And we should accept that today as well. Perhaps that’s why, then and now, many new followers of Jesus drop out when things get tough and those who persevere are relatively few.
Jesus promises disciples spiritual blessings and an amazing, eternal reward. But our earthly journey can still be difficult and uncertain. And those who prevail are driven by faith and sustained by hope.
Three essentials of Biblical discipleship include teaching scripture.
Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works. (ESV, John 14:10)
Jesus was the divine Son of God who didn’t merely speak off the top of his head. His words were the very words of the Father. Today, we have not only Jesus’ words, but all the inspired words of God recorded in scripture.
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work. (ESV, 2 Timothy 3:16-17)
Therefore, when Jesus commissions us to make disciples and teach all his commands, it includes teaching the entire Bible.
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. (ESV, Matthew 28:19)
What’s the best teaching method?
For who among men knows the thoughts of man except his own spirit within him? So too, no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. We have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. (ESV, 1 Corinthians 2:11-12)
A church development in recent years is the decline of Sunday School and rise of weekday small groups. What’s the difference? Sunday School focuses specifically on teaching, but small groups lean more towards community. This is because small group leaders often function as facilitators rather than teachers and disciple makers. And want curriculum they can lead without the study preparation that goes into teaching. So the level of teaching has slowly declined.
Instead, many churches now use sermon-based study guides and teaching videos through Right Now Media for small groups. As a small groups pastor I used them too. And I appreciate how technology offers many ways for us to learn from scripture and encourage their use. But directly reading, studying, and meditating on God’s Word under the illumination of the Holy Spirit and exegetically teaching scripture should be our primary approach. Both individually and with other disciples.
Three essentials of Biblical discipleship include godly relationships.
Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus. (ESV, Acts 4:13)
Discipleship is relational and occurs over time. Rubbing off godliness little by little. It’s not a single evangelistic encounter, dump the gospel, lead unbelievers in a prayer of salvation and check off a weekly discipleship quoto. It requires authenticity about your strengths and weaknesses. Humbly confessing your sins, confidently proclaiming the grace and faithfulness of God, and faithfully pursuing righteousness while encouraging others to do the same.
An example of Jesus’ affect on the disciples
In Acts 3, Peter and John healed a lame man who begged outside the entrance of the Jewish temple. Jesus had ascended to heaven and the Holy Spirit arrived in Acts 2 and filled all the believers gathered during Pentecost. Religious leaders demanded an explanation from them about the miracle and Peter responded by proclaiming the Gospel.
Amazed at their boldness, the religious leaders remembered Peter and John had been with Jesus. The two rough, uneducated, and common men had been radically transformed by the divine presence of Jesus who invested in their spiritual growth during his three year ministry.
It works in the opposite direction too.
Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company corrupts good character. (ESV, 1 Corinthians 15:33)
The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray. (ESV, Proverbs 12:26)
Who you spend your time with matters. Of course, disciple making requires contact with unbelievers. But disciples should guard their close friendships carefully. And seek to build healthy, godly relationships within the body of Christ. Where we give and receive encouragement, affirmation, support, and accountability. So that our godliness rubs off on others and theirs to rubs off on us.
About Chip Tudor:
Chip Tudor is a Christian author, blogger and professional writer. He publishes books, humorous Christian drama, and thought provoking blogs from a Christian worldview. This blog is originally published here.
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