8115 discipleship, nature of
Dictionary of Bible Themes

Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  8000 The life of the believer  »  8100 The life of faith  »  8114 discipleship  »  8115 discipleship, nature of

The state of following Jesus Christ, and serving and obeying him. The NT stresses the privileges, joys and cost of this calling.

Discipleship involves learning

Learning from God

John 6:45 See also Isaiah 54:13; Leviticus 11:44-45; Leviticus 19:2; Leviticus 20:7; Ephesians 5:1-2; 1 Peter 1:15-16

Learning from Jesus Christ

Matthew 11:29 See also John 13:15; Ephesians 4:20-21; Philippians 2:5; 1 Peter 2:21; 1 John 2:6

Learning from the Holy Spirit

John 14:26 See also Luke 12:12; John 16:13; 1 Corinthians 2:13; Ephesians 1:17; Ephesians 3:16-19; 1 Peter 1:12

Learning from other people

Philippians 4:9 See also Deuteronomy 4:10; Deuteronomy 5:1; Deuteronomy 31:12; 1 Corinthians 4:6,16; Corinthians 11:1; Philippians 3:17; 2 Thessalonians 3:7,9; 1 Timothy 2:11; Timothy 5:4; 2 Timothy 3:14

Learning to do what is good

Titus 3:14 See also Psalm 34:14; Psalm 37:27; Isaiah 1:17; Isaiah 26:9; 3Jn 11

Jesus Christ calls people to be his disciples

Matthew 4:19 pp Mark 1:17 See also Matthew 4:21 pp Mark 1:20 Jesus Christ calls James and John; Matthew 8:21-22 pp Luke 9:59-60; Matthew 9:9 pp Mark 2:14 pp Luke 5:27 Jesus Christ calls Matthew; Matthew 19:21 pp Mark 10:21 pp Luke 18:22; John 1:43 Jesus Christ calls Philip; John 21:19

The consequences of discipleship

Following Jesus Christ

Matthew 10:38 See also Matthew 16:24 pp Mark 8:34 pp Luke 9:23; Luke 14:27; John 10:27; John 12:26; Revelation 14:4

Serving Jesus Christ

Colossians 3:24 See also Matthew 20:25-28 pp Mark 10:42-45; Romans 12:11; 1 Thessalonians 1:9

Obeying Jesus Christ

John 8:31 See also John 14:21,23-24; John 15:10,14; 1 John 2:3; John 3:22,24; John 5:3

Responding immediately to Jesus Christ's commands

Matthew 8:21-22 See also Matthew 4:20 pp Mark 1:18; Matthew 4:22 pp Mark 1:20 pp Luke 5:11

Living for Jesus Christ and not for oneself

2 Corinthians 5:15 See also Romans 14:7-8; 1 Peter 4:2

Loving others

John 13:12-17 See also John 15:9-14; 1 John 4:7-21

Total commitment is required of Jesus Christ's disciples

Matthew 10:37-39 See also Matthew 16:24-25 pp Mark 8:34-35 pp Luke 9:23-24; Mark 6:8; Luke 14:26-27; Luke 17:33; John 12:25

The purpose of discipleship is to become Christlike

Ephesians 4:22-24 See also Matthew 5:48; Luke 6:40; Romans 8:29 God's purpose in election; Romans 12:1-2; Romans 13:14; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Corinthians 7:1; Ephesians 1:4; Colossians 1:28; Colossians 3:12; 2 Timothy 3:17 the purpose of Scripture; 1 Peter 1:14-15 a call to holiness; 2 Peter 1:5-7; 1 John 3:2-3

Examples of secret discipleship

John 3:1-2 See also John 7:50; John 12:42; John 19:38-39

See also

1660  Sermon on the Mount
4020  life of faith
5941  secrecy
6744  sanctification
7620  disciples
8102  abiding in Christ
8206  Christlikeness
8207  commitment
8266  holiness
8342  servanthood
8453  obedience



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