The Call to Discipleship

The Bible talks much about discipleship especially in the New Testament and even more so in the Gospels. The first question that must be asked and answered is "what is discipleship?"

Disciple [μαθητής; mathetes] - a learner, pupil. One who follows both the teacher and the teaching.

So discipleship is the process of making disciples of Jesus Christ. A question that needs to be addressed before diving into discipleship, is what is a disciple and the necessities for discipleship. You cannot have discipleship without disciples. "What is a disciple?"

A disciple and necessities of discipleship can be broken down into 3 things:

1. Faith in Jesus Christ

Means one has a proper view of sin and their sin

- eternally separated from God

- A sinner at heart and deed

- In need of a Savior

Means one understands what Jesus' life, death, and resurrection accomplished

- He was completely righteous and His righteousness is ours by faith

- His death paid for all our sin, satisfied God's wrath, and covers all our sin

- He has power over death, gives us eternal life, and new life

Means this is all accepted as God's grace and love: a gift to us in order to redeem us for His glory, His pleasure, and to our enjoyment and satisfaction.

2. Fixed on the Word of God

Means we believe the Word is

- Authoritative

- Inerrant

- Necessary

- Sufficient

- Relevant

3. Understanding Discipleship

Meaning one understands the need to be discipled and to be discipling

In the next post: "What a discipleship relationship is" and "what it looks like" will be fully fleshed out.