Pastor Scholar Podcast EP 36 | What Does It Truly Mean to be a Disciple?
Sep 30, 2025
Explore what it truly means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. Discover how the Greek term for disciple frames followers as learners under a teacher. Delve into the crucial connection between obedience and discipleship, and understand the implications of the Great Commission for all believers. The discussion touches on Bonhoeffer's views on the cost of true discipleship and why many Christians struggle with being discipled today. Learn about the essential roles of professors and pastors in fostering a vibrant discipleship culture.
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Disciple Means Learner Under A Teacher
- A disciple in the New Testament sense is a learner who sits under a teacher to become like their master.
- The modern word "discipleship" is a later cultural development and often gets watered down in church practice.
Terms Evolved Across The New Testament
- 'Disciple,' 'Christian,' and 'saint' overlap but originated in specific contexts across the New Testament.
- The Gospels and Acts use 'disciple' where being with a living rabbi mattered, while later writers favor 'Christian' or 'saint.'
Measure Discipleship By Obedience
- Define a disciple not only as a learner but as someone who obeys Jesus, including costly commitments like denying self and taking up a cross.
- Use Jesus' demands as a barometer for genuine faith, not merely a profession or prayer.
