What Is Discipleship? A Biblical Definition
What is discipleship?
Discipleship is the ongoing process of following Jesus—learning from His Word, living in obedience to His commands, and helping others do the same. It’s more than belief; it’s apprenticeship to Jesus, walking in His ways daily and inviting others into that same journey.
The Meaning Behind “Disciple”
The word disciple comes from the Greek term mathetes, which simply means learner or student. In the time of Jesus, a disciple wasn’t someone who just believed in a teacher’s ideas; they reordered their entire life to imitate that teacher’s way of living.
So, when Jesus called fishermen on the shores of Galilee saying, “Follow Me,” He wasn’t inviting them to attend a class or adopt a philosophy. He was inviting them to pattern their lives after His.
“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” — Matthew 4:19 (ESV)
Discipleship, then, is more than information—it’s imitation. It’s learning who Jesus is, how He lived, and why He came, so that we can follow in His steps.
Biblical Examples of Discipleship
When we look through the New Testament, discipleship isn’t abstract—it’s embodied.
- The Twelve walked with Jesus daily. They saw how He prayed, how He treated people, and how He obeyed the Father.
- Mary Magdalene, Martha, and Mary of Bethany were disciples, too—women who followed Jesus closely and supported His ministry.
- Paul and Timothy give us a model of generational discipleship: one believer pouring into another so that faith multiplies.
Paul summarized this in 1 Corinthians 11:1 (ESV):
“Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.”
That’s discipleship in one sentence—follow me as I follow Him.
“Christian” vs. “Disciple”: What’s the Difference?
The word Christian appears only three times in the Bible (Acts 11:26, Acts 26:28, 1 Peter 4:16), but disciple appears over 250 times. That’s not an accident.
In the early church, the term Christian described what disciples were already doing—following Christ. But somewhere along the way, Christian became more of an identity label than a lifestyle.
You can call yourself a Christian without actually following Jesus, but you can’t be a disciple without following Him daily.
Being a disciple means moving from belief to obedience, from information to transformation. Jesus said:
“If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” — Luke 9:23 (ESV)
Discipleship is a call to daily surrender—a rhythm of dying to self and living for Christ.
What Discipleship Requires
Becoming a disciple of Jesus isn’t about perfection. It’s about direction.
It’s a life marked by three rhythms:
1. Abiding
Disciples stay close to Jesus through prayer, Scripture, and worship. Jesus said,
“Abide in me, and I in you.” — John 15:4
To be a disciple is to cultivate rhythms that keep your heart anchored in His presence.
2. Obeying
Discipleship means putting Jesus’ words into action. In Matthew 7, Jesus described two builders—one who hears and obeys His words and one who doesn’t. Only one house stands.
Faith grows when obedience becomes habit.
3. Multiplying
True disciples don’t just grow; they help others grow. Jesus’ final words were a command to multiply disciples:
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations…” — Matthew 28:19–20
Every believer is both a follower and a teacher—someone who learns from Jesus and helps others do the same.
Common Misunderstandings About Discipleship
Many Christians think discipleship is reserved for pastors, missionaries, or “super spiritual” people.
But Scripture shows it’s for everyone.
Here are a few misconceptions worth clearing up:
-
Myth 1: Discipleship is a program.
Programs can help, but discipleship is primarily a relationship—with Jesus first, and with others who follow Him. -
Myth 2: Discipleship happens only in church.
The early disciples followed Jesus everywhere—on roads, in homes, by the sea. Discipleship happens in everyday life. -
Myth 3: Discipleship is fast.
Jesus spent three years with the same twelve people. Transformation takes time. Discipleship is a slow, faithful process.
When we expect instant growth, we miss the beauty of consistent, quiet obedience.
Why Discipleship Matters Today
We live in a world full of noise, distraction, and performance. Many people call themselves Christian yet struggle to live any differently than before.
Discipleship is the cure for shallow faith.
It calls us back to the simplicity of following Jesus—loving God, loving people, and walking in truth.
When the church returns to discipleship, it returns to the heartbeat of Jesus. Because He never told us to “build crowds.” He said,
“Make disciples.”
Discipleship transforms not only individuals but families, communities, and entire churches. It changes how we live, work, rest, and lead. It gives ordinary believers a framework to be with Jesus, become like Jesus, and do what Jesus did.
How to Begin Living as a Disciple
You don’t need a title or seminary degree to begin following Jesus wholeheartedly. You just need willingness.
Here’s how to start:
- Spend daily time with God’s Word. Read a gospel passage and ask: What does this teach me about Jesus?
- Pray relationally, not religiously. Talk to God honestly—praise, confess, thank, and ask.
- Join biblical community. Walk with others who challenge and encourage your growth.
- Find someone to disciple. Start small—share what you’re learning with a friend.
- Stay faithful to small things. Discipleship is built in ordinary moments, not grand gestures.
If you want help getting started, download our free Discipleship Starter Guide—a simple tool to help you build rhythms that last.