Becoming A Disciple of Christ
28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. - Matthew 11:28-30
3 And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. 4 Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, 5 but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: 6 whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked. - I John 2:3-6
Discipleship in the Bible vs. Today: 10 Key Differences Every Christian Should Understand
1) Belief vs. Imitation
Jesus isn’t just asking for belief—He’s calling for imitation.
Modern View: Being a disciple often means agreeing with Christian doctrines or believing in Jesus as Savior.
Biblical/Jewish View: A disciple (Hebrew talmid) didn’t just believe what their rabbi taught—they aimed to become just like him in every way—his behavior, lifestyle, prayer habits, priorities, and even his tone of voice.
A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher. - Luke 6:40
whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked. - I John 2:6
2) Occasional Learning vs. Lifelong Apprenticeship
Discipleship was a way of life, not a class.
Modern View: Discipleship can feel like a weekly Bible study, class, or optional part of church life.
Biblical View: Discipleship was a 24/7, all-of-life apprenticeship. Disciples lived with their rabbi, walked where he walked, and followed him everywhere—even if that meant sacrifice or suffering.
13 And he went up on the mountain and called to him those whom he desired, and they came to him. 14 And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach 15 and have authority to cast out demons. - Mark 3:13-15
19 And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” 20 Immediately they left their nets and followed him. - Matthew 4:19-20
3) Volunteering vs. Surrender
Discipleship meant leaving everything.
Modern View: We often think of serving Jesus as something we add to our schedule.
Biblical View: Becoming a disciple meant leaving everything behind—family, job, comfort—to wholly devote oneself to the rabbi’s mission.
33 So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple. - Luke 14:33
8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— 10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. - Philippians 3:8-11
4) Individual Faith vs. Communal Journey
Discipleship happened in deep community.
Modern View: Discipleship is often seen as a personal journey of spiritual growth.
Biblical View: Discipleship was always communal. Disciples traveled together, learned together, served together. Spiritual formation happened in the context of deep community.
42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved. - Acts 2:42-47
24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. - Hebrews 10:24-25
5) Open to Everyone vs. Chosen and Committed
Discipleship was open, but it came with high standards and intentional choice.
Modern View: Anyone can become a disciple, but commitment levels vary.
Biblical View: Rabbis typically chose their disciples after rigorous evaluation. Jesus, counter-culturally, chose ordinary men—but still called them to extraordinary commitment.
16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. - John 15:16
61 Yet another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home.” 62 Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” - Luke 9:61-62
6) Information-Based vs. Transformation-Based
Jesus didn't just teach—He formed hearts and lives.
Modern View: Discipleship is sometimes reduced to knowledge accumulation (books, podcasts, sermons).
Biblical View: The goal wasn’t information—it was transformation. Disciples were shaped to embody the teachings of the rabbi through practice, not just learning.
8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. - John 15:8
18 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. - II Corinthians 3:18
7) Casual Relationship vs. Covenant Loyalty
A disciple pledged allegiance to Jesus above all.
Modern View: Being a disciple is often thought of as being a “friend of Jesus.”
Biblical View: A disciple pledged loyalty and allegiance to their rabbi, often at great personal cost. This was a covenant-like relationship of honor, submission, and trust.
32 So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, 33 but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven. - Matthew 10:32-33
14 They will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with him are called and chosen and faithful. - Revelation 14:17
8) Church Attendance vs. Mission Participation
Disciples were sent, not just seated.
Modern View: Discipleship can be confused with going to church or being part of programs.
Biblical View: Disciples were sent—on mission, into communities, healing, preaching, casting out demons (Luke 9, Matt. 10). They were trained to carry on the work of the rabbi.
1 After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them on ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to go. 2 And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. 3 Go your way; behold, I am sending you out as lambs in the midst of wolves. - Luke 10:1-3
19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” - Matthew 28:19-20
9) Minimal Sacrifice vs. Radical Obediencey
Jesus called for total obedience—no halfway commitment.
Modern View: Following Jesus can be compartmentalized—faith doesn’t always interfere with comfort or goals.
Biblical View: Jesus told disciples to take up their cross, sell what they have, and leave father and mother. True discipleship was costly and countercultural.
21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. - Matthew 7:21
25 Now great crowds accompanied him, and he turned and said to them, 26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. 27 Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. - Luke 14:25-27
10) Faith as Belief vs. Faith as a Way of Life
In Jewish thought, faith meant loyal obedience.
Modern View: Faith is often understood primarily as what one believes in their heart.
Biblical View: Faith (emunah) in Hebrew implied faithfulness—a way of life, loyal obedience, and trusting action. Being a disciple was about living out your faith consistently, publicly, and sacrificially.
24 Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. - Matthew 7:24
17 So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. - James 2:17
Reflective Questions
After reflecting on the differences between modern interpretations and Jewish tradition, would you consider yourself a true disciple of Christ?
What is the biggest thing in my life that needs to change to become a fully devoted follower of Christ?
What would become more simple and less burdensome if I decided to make discipleship of Christ a way of life?