Spiritual Formation - Part 1: Discipleship

If you ever attended church, you probably heard the word “disciple.” If someone were to ask you what it means to be a disciple, how would you define it? At times, it feels like the words we use or hear frequently are the most difficult to define. Given that the word disciple occurs nearly 270 times in the Gospels and the book of Acts, it's important that we have a firm understanding of what this word means. In its simplest form, a disciple of Jesus is someone who is devoted to following Jesus. In this article, we will take a closer look at what it means to be a follower of Jesus, and what it means for us today.

What is a Disciple?

The word disciple is not unique to the Bible or to Jesus’ followers. In the ancient world, a disciple was someone who lived under their rabbi (teacher) and their teachings. A disciple is a student who is committed to following their rabbi, imitating their life, and living out their passions. Disciples didn’t merely memorize their rabbi’s teachings and recite it to others, but a disciple was one who would imitate everything their rabbi did. Their relationship wasn’t just for passing along knowledge and information but it was to become an embodiment of their rabbi. As the disciple spent more time with their rabbi, they would become more like them. As they became more like them, the pupil would carry on the same passion and mission as their rabbi.

The rabbi-disciple relationship was not limited to a classroom setting. When a disciple studied under their rabbi, it was an immersive experience. The rabbi and disciple would live, travel, eat, and do life with one another. This meant that being a disciple was a costly decision. Following a rabbi would have required everything from the disciple. Yet, disciples would commit themselves in order to become like their rabbi and learn their rabbi’s way of interpreting Scripture (their yoke), in hopes that one day they would become a rabbi themselves.

Follow Me

In light of understanding how the rabbi-disciple relationship worked during the time of Jesus, we can better understand what it meant when Jesus’ disciples decided to follow him. In the first chapter of Mark’s gospel, Jesus invites his first followers.

“Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” And immediately they left their nets and followed him.” (Mark 1:16-18, ESV)

Both Simon and Andrew knew of Jesus of Nazareth, and the claims that he was the long anticipated Messiah, but little did they know that Jesus would give them this invitation. Two words, “follow me.” Jesus didn’t give them an itinerary of everything they would expect. Following Jesus wasn’t financially rewarding or an opportunity to become famous. Not only did this invitation lack information, but the phrase “become fishers of men” would have been confusing to them. Still, this invitation from Jesus left them captivated. 

When Jesus gave them the invitation to follow him, it wasn’t merely an invitation for dinner or to hang out for the evening. Jesus was inviting them to become full-time students who would commit themselves to his teachings, lifestyle, and mission. The words “follow me” didn’t imply partial devotion. This invitation was not a side gig, it would require them to set aside everything in their lives.

Jesus didn’t invite them to follow a specific organization, church, or school. Jesus’ invitation was to follow him. To be a disciple means to commit oneself to following Jesus. Going where Jesus goes, doing what Jesus does, proclaiming what Jesus teaches.

This decision to follow Jesus isn’t cheap. So what does it cost? In Luke 14:33 Jesus talks about the cost of following him.

“So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.” (Luke 14:33, ESV)

So what does it cost to follow Jesus? It can cost everything. This doesn't mean we get rid of all that we own and live an unembellished life. To be a disciple of Jesus means that we do not live for anything in this world, even our own desires. Our priority and first love is Jesus. Everything else, we hold loosely. Our love and devotion for Jesus overshadows all things. 

We see this level of commitment when Simon and Andrew respond to Jesus’ call. They didn't ask Jesus any follow-up questions nor did they consult others for their opinions. It says, “immediately they left their nets and followed him” (Mark 1:18, ESV). Everything they had known, all behind. Their careers as fishermen, their nets, their typical routine, all behind them. Their commitment now was to follow their rabbi, Jesus, the Messiah. Not only would this decision change their lives forever, but their apprenticeship with Jesus would prepare them for their future ministry in the early church.

Committed to the Mission

By following Jesus, not only did the disciples leave their past behind, but they embarked a new journey forward. When Jesus invited the disciples to follow him, he didn’t initially tell them the cost associated with it. But overtime, as the disciples spent more time with Jesus, they aligned more with the mission of Jesus.

Disciples are committed to Jesus’ teachings, have experienced a transformation by the power of the Spirit, and are committed to the mission of Jesus. If you are a disciple of Jesus, you have a mission. The passion that Jesus carried for the lost souls in this world, is the same passion that we as disciples carry today. When Jesus called Simon and Andrew, he told them that they would be fishers of men. Disciples of Jesus are like fishermen. Disciples have been tasked with spreading the good news of Jesus Christ in this world so that others may come and believe in the risen Messiah.

Who are you Following?

Following Jesus is costly. The decision to follow Jesus will impact every aspect of one’s life. By following Jesus, you no longer live for yourself. To be a disciple of Jesus requires us to put our pride, agenda, and desires aside, and to live solely for Jesus alone. A disciple of Jesus is not merely a church-goer, or church volunteer, or someone who tithes. A disciple of Jesus is someone who follows Jesus. Someone who has yielded themselves to Jesus’ teachings, and by default is committed to his mission.

Is there anything in your life that you treasure more than Jesus? Is there any person or teaching that you are following outside of Jesus? Does your life’s mission align with Jesus’s mission? How has following Jesus transformed your head, heart, and hands? Pray that the Holy Spirit continues to transform your head, heart, and hands to look more like Jesus.