What Is a Disciple?
Learning from the Followers of Jesus
In the Gospels, Jesus doesn’t invite people to merely believe in Him from a distance—He calls them to follow. The word “disciple” appears more than 250 times in the New Testament, and it doesn’t mean “fan” or “student” in a modern sense. A disciple is someone who commits their entire life to being shaped by the one they follow. Biblically, a disciple (Greek: mathētēs) is a learner, an apprentice—someone who doesn’t just learn information but models their whole way of life after their teacher.
To be a disciple of Jesus means to walk with Him, learn from Him, obey His commands, and be transformed in the process. Jesus said, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23). This is a call to surrender, to transformation, and to mission. From the beginning, discipleship was not about passively receiving information—it was about actively following and imitating the Master.
Jesus’ first disciples were ordinary people: fishermen, tax collectors, political zealots, and skeptics. He didn’t go to the religious elites or the most qualified candidates. He called men with rough hands, flawed hearts, and everyday struggles. Yet through His teaching, example, and Spirit, He shaped them into bold witnesses who would carry His message to the ends of the earth.
The twelve apostles—Peter, James, John, Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, Thaddeus, and Judas Iscariot—each offer a unique window into what it means to follow Jesus. Some were eager, others doubtful. Some were fiery, others quiet. One betrayed Him. Yet together, they represent the diversity of Jesus’ call and the transformative power of grace.
These disciples didn’t always get it right. They argued about who was the greatest. They misunderstood Jesus’ mission. They fled when He was arrested. But after the resurrection and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, they were changed. The same Peter who denied Jesus became a courageous preacher. The same Thomas who doubted became a missionary to India. Their failures didn’t disqualify them—Jesus redeemed them.
Today, discipleship still means following Jesus with our whole lives. It’s not a part-time commitment or a Sunday-only activity. It’s a lifelong journey of being with Jesus, becoming like Jesus, and doing what Jesus did. As Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote, “When Christ calls a man, He bids him come and die.” But in that death to self, we find true life.
In a world that celebrates self-promotion and comfort, Jesus calls us to humility, sacrifice, and faithfulness. His first disciples show us that you don’t need to be perfect to follow Him—you just need to say “yes” and keep walking. Discipleship is costly, but it’s also the path to the deepest joy and eternal purpose.
So the question isn’t just, “Do I believe in Jesus?” The deeper question is, “Am I following Him?”
Tomorrow starts a twelve part series that examines the disciples. Each post will introduce the disciple’s family and background, their interactions with Jesus, their post ascension ministry, and ultimately why they matter. As always, let me know your thoughts!
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