How Jesus explained Discipleship

In this plan's final devotional, I want to summarise our attempt to get to the essence of how Jesus understood and explained discipleship.

1. We began by recognising that we need to go beyond the helpful (but nevertheless simply functional) recognition that a disciple is a ‘follower’, a ‘student’, and an ‘apprentice’.
2. First, discipleship involves choosing to deny yourself—to deny your right to plan your own future and choose Jesus’ plan for your life (Mark 8:34).
3. Next, it involves taking up your cross and following Jesus, which speaks of identifying with him.
4. And we ‘follow him’. ‘We follow him like we follow a dance partner. We follow his teachings. We follow the leading of his Spirit. We follow in his footsteps to the cross. We follow his example in loving the outcast, praying for the sick, and delivering those who are oppressed by demons.’
5. Jesus taught that however demanding it is to follow him, the alternative – doing life your way – will ultimately end with nothing.
6. And then Jesus makes this staggering promise; ‘Truly I tell you there are some standing here, (some reading this plan), who will not taste death before they see that the kingdom of God has come with power’ (Mark 9:1)
7. Luke includes the parables of building a tower and a small army attacking a larger one, which tell us that discipleship involves committed determination (Luke 14:28-32)
8. John tells us how to recognise a disciple – they are the ones who are always seeking the very best for other people regardless of the cost to themselves (John 13:34-35)
9. Matthew includes two parables to illustrate the reward disciples will inherit in the kingdom. It’s worth giving up everything for the kingdom because those who do will find treasure that far exceeds the cost of buying the field or the exceptionally valuable pearl (Matthew 13:44-46)
10. Acts states that disciples are ‘little Christs’ – Christ-ians (Acts 11:26)
11. Lastly, our discipleship must be Trinitarian because God is Trinitarian. To follow Jesus, we must focus on becoming strong in the Father’s Words and strong in the life of the Spirit.