The topic of discipleship in the church can be a “hot potato” topic at times. It’s one of my “soapbox” topics that I really like to discuss. Recently, while thinking about what to write, everything I read or listened to was about being a disciple of Jesus Christ. Here is a quote that really grabbed me in my devotional time, author unknown: “Disciples of Jesus Christ know God, love people, and impact their world. We are passionate about transformed people because transformed people will transform cities.“ I would add that transformed people are eager to see others transformed by Jesus. I looked deeper to find out what the word disciple really means. In the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, these are the synonyms given for the word disciple:
Fruitful Discipleship
How does one become a disciple? How did Jesus make disciples? Jesus discipled through relationships. In a video that I watched a few years ago, Pastor Bryan Stiverson said the following:
- Know God: You first must be in a relationship with God to have a relationship with His people. This happens by reading the Bible and prayer.
- Find Community: Jesus primarily ministered to the 12 disciples. Fellowship with other believers during the week (Bible study, home groups).
- Make Disciples: The disciples made other disciples. One way is to study the Bible together.
- Live Sent: After being discipled & trained, Jesus sent them out to minister. Wherever you go, be aware of those around you.
How can we build these four principles into our lives? Of course, you know I am going to use an acronym to help us remember the importance of being a true disciple. Let’s use the word ‘fruit.”
Follow Jesus
See Luke 9:23: “And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.”
Reproduce Jesus in Others
See Matthew 28:19-20: “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”
Unity
See John 13:35: “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”
Inspire Others to Keep Seeking Jesus, No Matter What
There will be times of struggle, and folks will need encouragement to keep pressing forward. See Hebrews 10:24: “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:”
Note: In the Greek, the word “provoke” translates as “irritate.” No, that’s not giving you permission to irritate people; it’s implying how strongly we should be encouraging one another.
Train Them in the Scriptures
Yes, once in a while, books are good, but Scripture is best.
See 2 Timothy 3:16: “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:”
In Closing
Why is discipleship such a big deal? One reason is that if there’s no discipleship, it leads to the fact that there’s no fruit. I am frequently drawn to John 15:1-16, especially verse 16: “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.”
I would encourage you to take the time to read Luke 9:57-61, where we are challenged to surrender our ideas: “And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God. And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house.”
It’s a familiar passage, but this time, as you read it, think in terms of being determined to be a true disciple of Jesus and bring others into true discipleship.
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- Fruitful Discipleship: An Acronym for Bearing Fruit in Jesus Name - August 30, 2025
