What Does a Disciple Look Like?

What does a disciple really look like? Jesus was pretty explicit about the fact that He expected us to go and make disciples, but what is a disciple? It’s something we need to get clarity about.

It’s surprising, alarming even that many Christians aren’t clear about what a disciple is. Over recent months when I have asked Christians what a disciple is, I have heard a range of answers that express some of the things that a disciple does but fall short of explaining what a disciple is, responses like someone who prays, who attends church regularly, who is in a small group, someone we teach about Jesus… the list goes on.

It might be more useful to think of a disciple as being an apprentice rather than someone who attends a range of events or who we teach from the pulpit. An apprentice is someone who learns a trade or a profession from a skilled and experienced worker who will not just teach them, but show them and evaluate how they go when they put into practice what they have been shown.

An effective apprenticeship will involve both head knowledge (learning) and hands on experience.

Colin Stoodley in his book “The Genius in the Kingdom” describes four distinctive outcomes of effective discipleship:

1. There is a very personal commitment to Jesus – He is Lord and literally Lord of everything and given this,

2. There is a settled expectation that we know that this means continuous obedience to His way and life without dispute.

3. On top of this there is a realisation that while we accept that there is a cost to be paid by someone who follows Jesus, this has been diminished by the knowledge of all Jesus has done for us.

4. Finally, there is a deep conviction that we will have a personal share in Jesus’ ongoing work in the world and His love will urge us out into that ongoing work notwithstanding the cost that has been perceived.

Jeff Vanderstelt in “180: A Return to Disciple Making” suggests that a disciple is someone who is committed to:

• be with Jesus,
• be like Jesus and
• be doing what Jesus is doing

John Mark Comer uses a similar definition in Practising the Way.

So, coming back to the Great Commission, Jesus’ final instruction to His followers in Matthew 28:18-20 is to go and make disciples. Disciples who will not only know His teaching but put it into practice obeying the things Jesus commanded us to do – like being His witnesses, baptising and make more disciples and loving as He would.

Question for reflection:

How would you define what a disciple is and what are the commands of Jesus that He told us to obey?

Tim O’Neill
National Leader, Exponential Australia