How Do We Become Disciples?

This is part 1 of 2 of Lesson 1: An Overview of Discipleship. Click here to go back to the introduction to this lesson.

I think this week’s study brought out some interesting points on discipleship:

1. In the New Testament, a disciple was one whom Jesus taught and who was committed to following Him. Is it any different today?

The word disciple comes from the Greek word mathetes, meaning “learner,” “apprentice,” or “adherent.” It depicts a person whose mind is set on a purpose. In the New Testament, it is used mostly of Jesus’ disciples, especially in the Gospels. It refers to “an apprentice or pupil attached to a teacher or movement; one whose allegiance is to the instruction and commitments of the teacher or movement.”—Paul J. Achtemeier, ed., Harper’s Bible Dictionary (New York: Harper San Francisco, 1985), p. 222.

2. Discipleship involves willingness to follow commands and to make commitments.

3. How do you become a disciple?

And as [Jesus] walked by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. Then Jesus said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” They immediately left their nets and followed Him. When He had gone a little farther from there, He saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the boat mending their nets. And immediately He called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants, and went after Him. Mark 1:16-20 (NKJV)

Jesus takes the initiative in calling His disciples. The initiative for discipleship in the historical situation did not rest with an individual. It resided with the Master. Each disciple responded to a call the Lord extended.

4. Even the response to the call Jesus extended did not wholly reside with the called. This, too, involved a divine initiative. “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him” (John 6:44, NIV).

It’s great to know that Jesus takes the initiative in the discipleship process. But we need to respond as the original disciples did. From the texts above, we can see that these fishermen left their livelihoods to follow Jesus. The challenge to us is what would we be willing to leave behind to follow Jesus?

“Matthew ‘left all, rose up, and followed Him.’ There was no hesitation, no questioning, no thought of the lucrative business to be exchanged for poverty and hardship. . . . So it was with the disciples previously called.

When Jesus bade Peter and his companions follow Him, immediately they left their boats and nets. Some of these disciples had friends dependent on them for support; but when they received the Saviour’s invitation, they did not hesitate, and inquire, How shall I live, and sustain my family? They were obedient to the call.”—Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 273.

It is worthwhile to think about how we have personally been called and then drawn to the Lord. Some of us will have been brought up in Christian homes. Others will have come to Christ in a more dramatic manner. But usually our relationship with Jesus will be due to our contact with other disciples of Christ. In fact if we had perfect knowledge, we could all trace back our ’spiritual family tree’ from those who introduced us all the way back to Christ Himself and His original disciples.

With all of that as background, a question from the study guide:

The fact that you are even reading these words indicates the work of God in your life. How have you responded to the call of the Master? How do your works reveal the answer?

In the next section, we’ll look further at the requirements of being a disciple. Click here to go there.

But for now, we’d be interested in any comments you have to leave below on the thoughts above.