Seven Marks of a DiscipleSample

Mark Five: A disciple bears fruit.

By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. —John 15:8

Bearing fruit is another mark of being a disciple of Jesus Christ. Fruit not only proves that we are his disciples, but it also glorifies the Father in heaven! The kind of fruit Jesus is speaking of here is people. In Matthew 4:19, when Jesus first called disciples to Himself, He said that they would become “fishers of men.”

God doesn’t need us, but He—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—graciously invites us to join Him in bringing the gospel of His Kingdom into the nations of the world! When we are connected to Jesus like branches connect to a vine, it’s natural for us to bear fruit (people) just like branches do!

Being a disciple means learning to stay connected to the True Vine. When we do, the life of the True Vine, Jesus, flows into us and causes us to flourish. And it is the life of the True Vine in us that enables us to bear fruit.

How do we stay plugged into the True Vine? As we’ve already said, remaining in God’s Word is essential. Additionally, prayer allows us not only to communicate with God but to listen to Him. It’s also important to remain in fellowship with other Christ-followers who sharpen us and to share the Good News of Jesus with those around us as God gives us opportunity.

Do this and watch what God does! It’s so exciting to see Him fulfill His Word, bringing others to faith in Christ through us as we abide in the True Vine! A disciple bears fruit!