What is discipleship?

Discipleship is a buzz word that is used often in the church today. But what exactly is Discipleship? And even more importantly, what isn’t discipleship? Let’s make it simple. Below are a few comparisons about what discipleship is and what discipleship is not. These are not theological comparisons but rather practical comparisons for you to use to evaluate where you are when it comes to the process of discipleship:

• Discipleship is not having a Bible Study but rather discipleship is reproducing in others. What does this involve? It involves reproducing Bible knowledge in others. It involves reproducing godly character in others. And it involves reproducing ministry skills in others.
• Discipleship is not meeting in co-ed groups but rather discipleship is training girls with girls and guys with guys (Titus 2).
• Discipleship is not training the masses but rather discipleship is training in small groups or in a one-on-one setting.
• Discipleship is not persuading the disinterested but rather discipleship is teaching the available and the teachable.
• Discipleship is not simply teaching but rather discipleship is modeling godly character and ministry skills in front of others.
• Discipleship is not teaching methods but rather discipleship is teaching principles.
• Discipleship is not spying on another person but rather discipleship is transparent accountability with others.
• Discipleship is not winging it as you meet with someone but rather discipleship is planning your work and working your plan as you invest in the lives of others

So, who are you discipling? Who is discipling you? Jesus gave us the command to make disciples which includes teaching others to observe everything that Jesus has commanded of us. Paul exhorted Timothy in the area of discipleship when he said that what he had learned from him, he should now entrust to others who will in turn disciple still others.

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20)

“The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” (II Timothy 2:2)