Marks of a disciple

What did Jesus say made a disciple? Many look at definitions of the word disciple, but Jesus redefined it. So, what is Jesus' veiw of a disciple?

What does the Bible say about what Jesus meant by: Disciple -

1. Devoted - Matthew 22v37-40
2. Available - Matthew 4v18-20
3. Faithful - Mark 8v34-38
4. Teachable - Matthew 7v24-27

This forms into an acronym - DAFT and looking from a purely human perspective, someone who follows Jesus whole heartedly might look daft to those look to this world for fulfilment.

Devoted

Matthew 22v37-40

Jesus replied, “‘You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”

Questions for reflection or discussion

1. What is the first love of a disciple?
2. How does your life demonstrate that love for God and love of your neighbour?
3. In what areas might Jesus be teaching you to love?

Thoughts to consider

God is love. When I follow Jesus, I will look back to find that the path he took me down was love. It is in following him, whatever he asks me to do, that I learn what love really means. As I follow him I am becoming his disciple.

Available

Matthew 4v18-20

One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers—Simon, also called Peter, and Andrew—throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living. Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” And they left their nets at once and followed him.

Questions for reflection or discussion

1. What did Jesus ask of these fishermen?
2. What was involved in their choosing to follow?
3. What motivation was set before them to follow?

Thoughts to consider

A key mark of a disciple is their willingness to leave what they are doing because Jesus has called them to something else, even if they are not that clear about what they are called to. They are available.

Faithful

Mark 8v34-38

Then, calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul? If anyone is ashamed of me and my message in these adulterous and sinful days, the Son of Man will be ashamed of that person when he returns in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”

Questions for reflection or discussion

1. What choices are involved in being a follower of Jesus?
2. What are the benefits of following Jesus?
3. What choices do you face in following Jesus?

Thoughts to consider

A disciple is faithful, no matter what the cost. This faithfulness has a purpose. Jesus asks us to leave some precious things from our old life behind. He does this in order to free us to receive more of him and to be free of the hinderances that hold us back from going with him.

Teachable

Matthew 7:24-27

“Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.”

Questions for reflection or discussion

1. What is the difference between someone who just knows the Bible and someone who knows it and lives it?
2. How do you foster the heart and attitude of one willing to learn and act?

Thoughts to consider

Those who think they already know are unwilling to learn. Those who think that they know are often too complacent to examine their own lives and allow the Lord to show them where they are falling short in action. Those who patiently take the little they do know and act on it are transformed by Jesus step by step. – Better a little with the fear of the Lord than great wealth with turmoil.

Overview question for reflection or discussion

1. What are the marks of a disciple?
2. How would you discern what makes a disciple in your setting?

Thoughts to consider

The marks of a disciple are not complicated, but they are challenging. Every one of us can make these choices, every one of us will fail along the way. Yet, Jesus is greater than us all. He is always ready to take us on from where we are into the next challenge. He is with us!

Photo Credit

Photo by Jehyun Sung on Unsplash