What is a Disciple?

To understand what a disciple is we must first understand what a disciple is not. A disciple is not just someone who sits on a pew and claims to be a member in a church. A disciple is not someone who only shows up once a week and gives an offering. Being on a church committee or teaching a class does not make one a disciple. In fact adhering to Acts 2:38 does not make a person a disciple. There is a stark difference between a believer and a disciple.

The journey from believer to disciple is a long journey in which an individual not only obtains knowledge of Christian principles, but lives by Christian principles, and endeavors to share those Christian principles with others. According to Webster’s Dictionary, “a disciple is one who accepts and assists in spreading the doctrines of another.” A disciple is someone who is self-maintaining and self-disciplined in Christian principles. A disciple is also someone who can give an answer to anyone that ask a question concerning his Christian faith (1 Peter 3:15).

My growing concern of the present church is the ever growing numbers of believers and the shrinking numbers of disciples. In a numbers-driven society we have to often sacrificed discipleship and settled for believers, and thereby we are creating a church full of spiritual babies. They too often wear down the ministry and drive good men and women into a state of burn out from the constant maintenance that is required for them. We can’t afford to settle for believers. We must continue the journey to spiritual maturity and make disciples of all men!

The next church service you walk into honestly answer the question, “How many disciples are here?” Then ask yourself, “Am I one of them?"