A disciple is an apprentice or student

Mark 2:18-20

John 9:24-29

(Check verse on healing of the blind man)

John 1:35-42. The disciples of John left John and began to follow Jesus.

Jesus way of discipleship.

He called people to himself so that they could be with Him and become like Him.

Jesus took the initiative to call His disciples.

Discipleship needs an intentional initiative, and is also a calling of Christ.

The loyalty and allegiance was to be a lifelong commitment to living like Christ.

It is About walking in the footsteps of Christ and also showing His humility and servant leadership,

It is a costly affair. It demands sacrifice.

What does discipleship entail?

It is a process and a practise.

It starts where one believes in Jesus for salvation.

There needs to be an initial step of conversion.

It entails progressive growth from spiritual infancy to maturity. This growth entails transformation of character, serving well in the body of Christ and in ministry, and taking up leadership.

Hebrews 6:1 Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God,

Hebrews 6:2 instruction about cleansing rites, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.

Ephesians 4:14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming.

Ephesians 4:15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.

Ephesians 4:16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

Discipleship is a commitment to a life long journey and daily obedience to Christ with the focus of spending eternity with Christ.

Discipleship as a practice.

In Discipleship one needs to walk with another believer, helping them walk with the Lord and form Christ like principles in them.

What are the characteristics of Christian discipleship.

1. It is intentional and individualized.

2. It is about coming to Jesus to be with Him.

3. We will never outgrow the need of discipleship, it is a daily call.

4. It is coming to Jesus in order to be sent by Him, to minister and reach out to others.

NIV, St. Matthew 28:19

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

5. It is ultimately focused on transformation.

Knowing Christ should lead us to becoming like Him.

6. It is a call for all us, irrespective of our diversity and qualifications.