What is a Disciple?

A disciple is one who is following Jesus, being changed by Jesus, and committed to the mission of Jesus.

Jesus said in the Bible: “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19).

Below is an illustration of what it looks like to be a disciple, what we call THE DISCIPLESHIP PATHWAY:

There are three components:

  • Being with Jesus
  • Becoming like Jesus
  • Doing what Jesus did

And it's all empowered by the Holy Spirit.

Watch the video below: 

The discipleship pathway


We are invited to prioritize our lives around the priorities that Jesus himself had.

Watch the video below:



In each section below you'll find a key Bible verse and resources to learn more.



KEY VERSE:
“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:4-5

RESOURCES:

  • Moments with the Savior: Experience Jesus, the kindness in his face, the forgiveness in his eyes, and the power in his hand by Ken Gire (devotional)

  • The One Year Salt and Light Devotional: 365 Inspirations to Equip and Encourage You to Live Out Your Calling in the World by Chris Tiegreen (devotional)

  • Sacred Pathways: Nine Ways to Connect with God by Gary Thomas

  • Praying Like Monks, Living Like Fools by Tyler Staton

  • Gentle and Lowly: The Heart of Christ for Sinners and Sufferers by Dane Ortlund

  • Emotionally Healthy Spirituality

  • Bible Reading Plans

  • Lectio 365 (find it in your app store)

KEY VERSE:

“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh…the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” Galatians 5:16; 22-24

RESOURCES:

  • Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth by Richard Foster

  • Sacred Rhythms: Arranging Our Lives for Spiritual Transformation by Ruth Haley Barton

  • Color-Courageous Discipleship: Follow Jesus, Dismantle Racism, and Build Beloved Community by Michelle T. Sanchez

  • Emotionally Healthy Relationships (class, dates TBD)

  • Liturgy of the Ordinary: Sacred Practices in Everyday Life by Tish Harrison Warren

  • Practicing the Way by John Mark Comer

  • Practicing the Way www.practicingtheway.org - Nonprofit started by John Mark Comer that created free resources to help people learn how to be with Jesus, become like him, and do as he did.

KEY VERSES:
“By this we may know that we are in him: whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.” I John 2:5-6

“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” James 1:22

HERE'S WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT JESUS:

  • Jesus lived a generous life
  • Jesus served others
  • Jesus shared the gospel (God's good news)
  • Jesus lived in community
  • Jesus made disciples

RESOURCES (BY CATEGORY):

Generosity

Serving

Evangelism

  • Power Evangelism by John Wimber

Community

  • The Relational Soul: Moving from False Self to Deep Connection by Richard Plass and James Cofield

  • How to Know a Person: The Art of Seeing Others Deeply and Being Deeply Seen by David Brooks

  • The Art of Neighboring: Building Genuine Relationships Right Outside Your Door by Jay Pathak

Disciple-making

  • Walk with Me: Simple Principles for Everyday Disciplemakers by Bill Mowry