Welcome!
As we walk this journey of faith, it’s vital to cultivate spiritual disciplines that deepen our connection with God. This year, we’re shifting our focus from routine habits to intentional, sacred rhythms—practices that invite God to move powerfully in our lives. These rhythms aren’t just checklists; they are pathways that open our hearts to transformation and renewal. Join us as we explore ways to make room for God’s presence and grow in grace, purpose, and intimacy with Him.
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Memory Verse Challenge:
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Matthew 28:19
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The Spiritual Discipline of Discipleship
Following Jesus with Purpose and Perseverance
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Matthew 28:19
Discipleship is more than a task—it’s a sacred journey. It calls us to intentionally share the hope of the gospel and walk alongside others as they learn to follow Jesus. This spiritual discipline is vital to our own growth, shaping us to become more like Christ. Through practices like studying God’s Word, spending time in prayer, and engaging in authentic community, we draw closer to God and one another. As we weave these habits into our daily lives, we not only deepen our own faith but also encourage others in theirs—together becoming a reflection of Christ’s love in the world. Discipleship is a spiritual discipline because it does not happen by accident.
In today’s fast-paced world of instant results and shallow commitments, the call to discipleship remains as radical and challenging as it was 2,000 years ago. Discipleship is not just about believing in Jesus—it’s about following Him, learning from Him, and becoming like Him. It is a lifelong journey marked by discipline, surrender, and transformation.
Let’s explore what the Bible teaches about the spiritual discipline of discipleship, and how it shapes our walk with Christ.
- Discipleship Begins with a Call to Follow
The first step in discipleship is responding to Jesus’ call:
“And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” – Matthew 4:19 (KJV)
Jesus didn’t call people to simply admire Him or agree with His teachings. He called them to follow—to leave behind their old ways and embrace a new way of life under His leadership. Discipleship starts with a personal decision to put Jesus first.
We must truly accept in our hearts that:
- “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way;and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.” (Isaiah 53:6).
- “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” (Romans 3:23).
- “But the scripture hath concluded all under sin,” (Galatians 3:22).
- By nature, we were under God’s judgment—separated from His promises, without hope, and without Him in the world (Ephesians 2:3, 12).
In short, becoming a disciple means honestly facing our sin, turning away from it, and putting our trust in Christ.
- Discipleship Requires Self-Denial and Daily Surrender
Following Jesus is not a casual or part-time endeavor. It’s a daily discipline:
“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.” – Luke 9:23 (KJV)
Jesus makes it clear: true discipleship means dying to self and living for Him. It’s about surrendering our personal comfort, desires and ambitions to walk in obedience to His will.
Just as we need daily food and daily work, Jesus teaches that we also need to take up our daily cross. This isn’t about wearing a cross around our neck or carrying something physical. And it’s not the cross He bore for our salvation—that was His alone.
Instead, our daily cross is the ongoing choice to deny ourselves—to live with a heart of surrender and a willingness to suffer or sacrifice for the sake of Christ. It’s choosing His will over ours, again and again.
“And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.” – Luke 14:27 (KJV)
To take up our cross daily is to say “no” to self and “yes” to Jesus—every single day.
- Discipleship Is Rooted in Obedience to Christ’s Teachings
Jesus defined true discipleship in terms of obedience:
“Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;” – John 8:31 (KJV)
The spiritual discipline of discipleship involves learning and applying God’s Word consistently. It’s not just hearing the truth but living it out, letting Scripture shape our beliefs, attitudes, and actions.
- Discipleship Comes with a Cost
Jesus never sugar-coated the demands of discipleship:
“And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.” – Luke 14:27 (KJV)
“So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.” – Luke 14:33 (KJV)
Discipleship requires sacrifice—sometimes of relationships, possessions, goals, or even our own comfort. It’s not a casual commitment but a call to full surrender.
Jesus urged His followers to count the cost (Luke 14:28–33). Following Him means laying everything down and trusting that He is worth more than anything we might give up.
True discipleship means saying with our lives: Jesus is worth it all.
- Discipleship Is Empowered by the Holy Spirit
We are not left to walk this path alone. Jesus promised the help of the Holy Spirit:
“But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” – John 14:26 (KJV)
The Spirit empowers us to grow in faith, resist temptation, and remain faithful in our walk with Christ.
- Discipleship: Bearing Fruit and Multiplying
A true disciple of Jesus reflects His character and joins in His mission. Jesus said, “Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples” (John 15:8, KJV). Bearing fruit means more than personal spiritual growth—it’s about living a life shaped by the Spirit, marked by love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, and other qualities found in Galatians 5:22–23. These fruits grow through the disciplines of prayer, study, obedience, and service.
But discipleship doesn’t end with personal transformation. True disciples multiply. Jesus’ final command was clear: “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations…” (Matthew 28:19–20, KJV). This Great Commission calls every believer to actively share the gospel (Mark 16:15), baptize new believers, and teach them to obey everything Jesus commanded.
Jesus came “to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10), and He invites us into that same mission. From His call to “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19) to His commissioning of the Church in Acts, disciple-making is central to the Christian life. The early church modeled this: “And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ” (Acts 5:42).
Discipleship, then, is both inward and outward. It involves growing in Christ and helping others do the same. Bearing fruit and multiplying go hand in hand. If we truly want to follow Jesus, we must reflect His heart and commit to His mission—making disciples who make disciples.
Final Thoughts
The spiritual discipline of discipleship is not about perfection—it’s about direction. It’s the daily, disciplined pursuit of Christ. It calls for commitment, sacrifice, and growth, but it also brings deep joy, lasting fruit, and eternal reward.
Discipleship shapes us into the likeness of Jesus, through the power of His Spirit, and for the glory of God.
“He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.” – 1 John 2:6 (KJV)
Are you following Jesus in a disciplined, intentional way?
Let His call stir your heart today—deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow Him. That’s the path of true life.
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I pray that you will continue to be conscious of God’s presence throughout the month as you journal His Word and that you will sense His presence in every area of your life.
You can download the Scripture Journaling Plan here:
https://charitymaeprosper.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/SD-Discipleship.pdf
Notes:
- Bible Verses: Matthew 28:19-20; Matthew 4:9; Isaiah 53:6; Romans 3:23; Galatians 3:22; Ephesians 2:3,12; Lue 9:23; Luke 14:27; John 8:31; John 15:8; Galatians 5:22-23; Luke 14:28-33; John 14:26; Luke 19:10; Matthew 4:19; Acts 5:42; 1 John 2:6
- Books/Web:
- Life Application Study Bible: King James Version. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale, 2004. Print
- Matthew Henry’s Commentary of the Whole Bible: Matthew Henry, 1662-1714 (1991)
- The Discipline of Discipleship – C.S. Lewis Institute
- “Beneath the Cross of Jesus,” by Elizabeth C. Clephane
- Charles C. Ryrie, So Great Salvation: What It Means to Believe in Jesus Christ (Chicago: Moody Press, 1997)
