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Definition and Etymology
Discipleship in the Christian context refers to the process of following Jesus Christ and adhering to His teachings. The term "disciple" originates from the Latin word "discipulus," meaning "learner" or "pupil." In the New Testament, the Greek word "μαθητής" (mathētēs) is used, which also means "learner" or "follower."

Biblical Foundation
Discipleship is a central theme in the New Testament, where Jesus calls individuals to follow Him and learn from His life and teachings. The call to discipleship is both an invitation and a command, as seen inMatthew 4:19 : "And He said to them, 'Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.'"

Characteristics of Discipleship
1.Commitment to Christ: Discipleship requires a wholehearted commitment to Jesus. InLuke 9:23 , Jesus states, "If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me." This indicates a life of self-denial and dedication to Christ's mission.

2.Obedience to His Teachings: A disciple is expected to obey the teachings of Jesus. InJohn 8:31 , Jesus says, "If you continue in My word, you are truly My disciples." This underscores the importance of living according to the Word of God.

3.Transformation and Growth: Discipleship involves spiritual growth and transformation into the likeness of Christ.Romans 12:2 exhorts believers, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind."

4.Bearing Fruit: A true disciple bears spiritual fruit as evidence of their faith. InJohn 15:8 , Jesus declares, "This is to My Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, proving yourselves to be My disciples."

5.Love for Others: Love is a hallmark of discipleship. Jesus commands inJohn 13:34-35 , "A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you also must love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another."

The Great Commission
The mandate for discipleship is encapsulated in the Great Commission, where Jesus instructs His followers to make disciples of all nations.Matthew 28:19-20 records, "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, and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you."

Role of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in discipleship, empowering believers to live out their faith and witness to others.Acts 1:8 promises, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

Community and Fellowship
Discipleship is often nurtured within the context of Christian community and fellowship. The early church exemplified this inActs 2:42 : "They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer."

Challenges and Sacrifices
Discipleship is not without its challenges and sacrifices. Jesus warns inLuke 14:27 , "And whoever does not carry his cross and follow Me cannot be My disciple." This highlights the cost of following Christ, which may include persecution, hardship, and the forsaking of worldly attachments.

Conclusion
Discipleship is a lifelong journey of following Jesus, marked by commitment, obedience, transformation, and love. It is both a personal and communal endeavor, empowered by the Holy Spirit and grounded in the teachings of Christ.Luke 14:33
So likewise, whoever he be of you that forsakes not all that he has, he cannot be my disciple.
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Luke 14:27
And whoever does not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.
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Luke 9:23
And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
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Luke 14:26
If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brothers, and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.
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Acts 2:42
And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
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837. auxano -- to make to grow, to grow
... grow. 837 -- properly, (increase); become greater in size (maturity, etc.).
837 ("to grow") is to authenticdiscipleship. Indeed...

3100. matheteuo -- to be a disciple, to make a disciple
... Phonetic Spelling: (math-ayt-yoo'-o) Short Definition: I make disciples, make into
disciples Definition: I make a disciple of, train indiscipleship; pass: I...

Christ Repressing RashDiscipleship
... ST. MATTHEW Chaps. I to VIII CHRIST REPRESSING RASHDISCIPLESHIP....Discipleship which
is the result of mere emotion must be evanescent, for all emotion is so....

Christ Stimulating SluggishDiscipleship
... I to VIII CHRIST STIMULATING SLUGGISHDISCIPLESHIP. 'And another of His disciples
said unto Him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.22....

July the Fifth theDiscipleship that Tells
... JULY The Fifth THEDISCIPLESHIP THAT TELLS. "He that followeth Me." "John 8:12-20.
Yes, but I must make sure that I follow Him in Spirit and in truth....

The Signs ofDiscipleship. (Matt. , vii. , 22. ) --Requisites, viz...
... CHAPTER XII. CHRIST'S RETURN FROM CAPERNAUM TO JERUSALEM THROUGH SAMARIA. Section
207. The Signs ofDiscipleship. (Matt., vii., 22.)"Requisites, viz....

Test ofDiscipleship. (Matt. , vii. , 24-27. )
... CHAPTER IX. SECOND COURSE OF EXTENDED LABOURS IN GALILEE. Section 158. Test
ofDiscipleship. (Matt., vii., 24-27.). Christ concludes...

The Test ofDiscipleship
... Chapter 7 The Test ofDiscipleship. "If... life? Obedience"the service and
allegiance of love"is the true sign ofdiscipleship....

Cost ofDiscipleship must be Counted.
... Cost ofDiscipleship Must Be Counted. (Probably Per??a.)... As warring against God is
no part ofdiscipleship, it might seem that the conflict was with Satan....

Discourse on Spiritual Food and TrueDiscipleship. Peter's...
... Part Fifth. From Second Passover Until Third.(Time: One Year.) LXIV. Discourse
on Spiritual Food and TrueDiscipleship. Peter's Confession....

The First Disciples: v. Believing and Seeing
... upon some phase or other of the character and work of Jesus Christ, or upon the
various ways by which faith, which is the condition ofdiscipleship, is kindled...

Chapter thirty-one
... The definition of his owndiscipleship was receiving an added test at this
time, and he was being led into a larger truth of the Lord....

Who were the twelve (12) disciples / apostles of Jesus Christ? | GotQuestions.org

Why is making disciples important? | GotQuestions.org

Who were the 70 (or 72) disciples in Luke 10? | GotQuestions.org

Disciples: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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