August 16th, 2026
By: Jason White
I get the HONOR to be the “Discipleship” Pastor at the Revival Center. I put the word “Discipleship” in quotations because we are ALL called to be disciples of Jesus. The word disciple comes from the Latin word “discipulus” which means learner and the Greek word mathetes. By definition the word disciple means a learner, follower, student, who closely mimics the life, teachings, and ways of a master or teacher. I heard a quote that says a disciple should follow their teacher so closely that their words are covered in the dust of the teacher’s feet. WOW! That means we are so close that every step the Master takes, the dust that is thrown off His feet is going into our mouths and we taste it.
Unfortunately, we throw those words, disciple or discipleship, around so loosely, I feel we have truly lost what it means to be a disciple of the One and Only, Master and Teacher, Jesus! Let’s go to the Word of God to truly define what it means to be a disciple of Jesus.
First, we have to love another! John 13:35 says “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” The conditional "if" indicates that love is the essential evidence of true discipleship. This love is agape, a selfless, unconditional love that mirrors the love of Christ. In the cultural context of the time, such love was countercultural, as society was often divided by class, ethnicity, and religion. The command to love one another is a recurring theme in the New Testament, seen in passages like 1 John 4:7-8, which states that love is from God and those who love are born of God. This love is a fulfillment of the law, as Paul writes in Romans 13:10 “Love does no wrong to others, so love fulfills the requirement of God’s law”, and is a reflection of the new covenant relationship established by Jesus.
Second, we have to bear fruit! John 15:8 says “When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.” Bearing fruit is a metaphor for living a life that reflects the character and teachings of Jesus. In the agricultural society of ancient Israel, fruit-bearing was a common image used to describe productivity and success. The Old Testament often uses the imagery of fruit to describe the results of a righteous life (Psalm 1:3, Jeremiah 17:7-8). In the New Testament, the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) represents the qualities that should be evident in a believer's life. Jesus' use of this metaphor in John 15 connects to His earlier teachings about the vine and branches, illustrating the necessity of remaining in Him to produce spiritual fruit.
Third, we must hold to the truths of scripture. John 8:31-32 says “Jesus said to the people who believed in Him, ‘You are truly My disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings.’ And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” Jesus distinguishes between mere followers and true disciples. True discipleship involves a deep, ongoing relationship with Jesus, characterized by obedience and transformation. This statement challenges the superficial belief of some of His listeners, urging them to examine the authenticity of their faith. The concept of discipleship in the New Testament is not just about learning but about living out the teachings of Jesus.
Fourth, Jesus tells us that we have to love and choose Him above ALL, even our own families. Luke 14:26 says “If you want to be my disciple, you must, by comparison, hate everyone else-your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters-yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple.” The term "hate" here is understood as a hyperbolic expression common in Semitic languages, emphasizing preference rather than literal animosity. In Matthew 10:37, Jesus clarifies this by stating that anyone who loves family more than Him is not worthy of Him. The cultural context of the time placed strong emphasis on family loyalty, making this statement particularly challenging and highlighting the radical nature of discipleship.
Lastly, to be a true disciple, we must be willing to be a martyr. We must be willing to lay down our lives for the sake of Christ. In America, we haven’t gotten to the point of this that other places in the world have and they have for many years. Luke 14:27 says “And if you do not carry your own cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple.” This statement sets a clear and uncompromising standard for discipleship. It underscores the cost of following Jesus, which involves prioritizing Him above all else, including personal desires and relationships. The use of "cannot" indicates that without the willingness to carry one's cross and follow Jesus, true discipleship is impossible.
I want to encourage you, that He is worthy of all the requirements that are needed to be a true disciple of Jesus! Let’s truly follow Him today!
I get the HONOR to be the “Discipleship” Pastor at the Revival Center. I put the word “Discipleship” in quotations because we are ALL called to be disciples of Jesus. The word disciple comes from the Latin word “discipulus” which means learner and the Greek word mathetes. By definition the word disciple means a learner, follower, student, who closely mimics the life, teachings, and ways of a master or teacher. I heard a quote that says a disciple should follow their teacher so closely that their words are covered in the dust of the teacher’s feet. WOW! That means we are so close that every step the Master takes, the dust that is thrown off His feet is going into our mouths and we taste it.
Unfortunately, we throw those words, disciple or discipleship, around so loosely, I feel we have truly lost what it means to be a disciple of the One and Only, Master and Teacher, Jesus! Let’s go to the Word of God to truly define what it means to be a disciple of Jesus.
First, we have to love another! John 13:35 says “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” The conditional "if" indicates that love is the essential evidence of true discipleship. This love is agape, a selfless, unconditional love that mirrors the love of Christ. In the cultural context of the time, such love was countercultural, as society was often divided by class, ethnicity, and religion. The command to love one another is a recurring theme in the New Testament, seen in passages like 1 John 4:7-8, which states that love is from God and those who love are born of God. This love is a fulfillment of the law, as Paul writes in Romans 13:10 “Love does no wrong to others, so love fulfills the requirement of God’s law”, and is a reflection of the new covenant relationship established by Jesus.
Second, we have to bear fruit! John 15:8 says “When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.” Bearing fruit is a metaphor for living a life that reflects the character and teachings of Jesus. In the agricultural society of ancient Israel, fruit-bearing was a common image used to describe productivity and success. The Old Testament often uses the imagery of fruit to describe the results of a righteous life (Psalm 1:3, Jeremiah 17:7-8). In the New Testament, the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) represents the qualities that should be evident in a believer's life. Jesus' use of this metaphor in John 15 connects to His earlier teachings about the vine and branches, illustrating the necessity of remaining in Him to produce spiritual fruit.
Third, we must hold to the truths of scripture. John 8:31-32 says “Jesus said to the people who believed in Him, ‘You are truly My disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings.’ And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” Jesus distinguishes between mere followers and true disciples. True discipleship involves a deep, ongoing relationship with Jesus, characterized by obedience and transformation. This statement challenges the superficial belief of some of His listeners, urging them to examine the authenticity of their faith. The concept of discipleship in the New Testament is not just about learning but about living out the teachings of Jesus.
Fourth, Jesus tells us that we have to love and choose Him above ALL, even our own families. Luke 14:26 says “If you want to be my disciple, you must, by comparison, hate everyone else-your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters-yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple.” The term "hate" here is understood as a hyperbolic expression common in Semitic languages, emphasizing preference rather than literal animosity. In Matthew 10:37, Jesus clarifies this by stating that anyone who loves family more than Him is not worthy of Him. The cultural context of the time placed strong emphasis on family loyalty, making this statement particularly challenging and highlighting the radical nature of discipleship.
Lastly, to be a true disciple, we must be willing to be a martyr. We must be willing to lay down our lives for the sake of Christ. In America, we haven’t gotten to the point of this that other places in the world have and they have for many years. Luke 14:27 says “And if you do not carry your own cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple.” This statement sets a clear and uncompromising standard for discipleship. It underscores the cost of following Jesus, which involves prioritizing Him above all else, including personal desires and relationships. The use of "cannot" indicates that without the willingness to carry one's cross and follow Jesus, true discipleship is impossible.
I want to encourage you, that He is worthy of all the requirements that are needed to be a true disciple of Jesus! Let’s truly follow Him today!
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