By Michelle Tynes
Biblical discipleship is the lifelong process of following Jesus Christ and becoming more like Him in character and obedience.
Luke 9:23-24 (NLT) says, If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it.
These verses remind us that discipleship is not a one-time decision. It is a daily choice, intentional, and it costs something.
Biblical Discipleship is not just going to church on Sunday or knowing Christian language. It’s fulfilling the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20. In practical words, it’s giving up the way of the world for eternal salvation. Easier said than done, right? This is why Jesus tells us to pick up our cross daily. It is a daily choice to put down the enemy’s lies and pick up the true image of God meant for us.
Accomplishing discipleship is not a checklist item we can just mark off. It is a lifelong process. The point is to continually evolve and be open to Jesus’ teachings. In the beginning, we are the ones to be discipled. Like babies are taught to speak and walk, we must be taught how to speak the truth and walk in honor and awe of God. Through maturity and growth, we then become the ones who do the discipling. Even though you are still learning. You can be a teacher and learn from the student. This journey can’t be done alone. The world promotes self-expression and “living your truth”. Scripture reminds us in Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Our strength comes from the LORD, not from self-sufficiency. When we’ve been conditioned to depend on ourselves, it becomes hard to open our hearts to God and to trust others, but true discipleship requires both.
So, who do we trust in this Great Commission? First and foremost, Christ. We trust the Holy Spirit to guide and convict us. We also trust the body of believers God places around us. Mentors, leaders, friends, because true discipleship happens in a community. Jesus himself had the twelve. He walked with people. Corrected them in love. He sent them out together.
The Christian life was never designed to be isolated. Comfort does not refine character. Relationships that challenge us to grow are necessary. This doesn’t mean we are to be hard or prideful. It means we are serious about becoming holy. Discipleship requires commitment to transformation. Transformation requires honest conversations and mutual submission to Christ.
There are five main components to discipleship. Surrender, Scripture, Prayer, Community, and Multiplication.
First Surrender: Before we can be true followers of Jesus, we must lay down our own agenda. We have to recognize that Jesus is LORD, not just savior, but LORD. It means He has authority over our decisions, our time, our finances, our relationships, and our future. One step at a time, trusting that He knows better, that His way is better. Surrender often feels like pruning. It can be uncomfortable to let go of old habits or thought patterns. But growth requires new soil. When we allow God to remove what no longer serves His purpose, we begin to bear fruit. And there is nothing more joyful than when someone says, “There’s something different about you.” And you can say YES! It’s the light of God!
Second Scripture: We must learn the Word of God to discern the truth from deception. The enemy distorts identity and purpose in subtle ways. Planting lies about who we are, what we’re worth, or what success should look like. As students, it’s easy to let grades, achievements, or social media shape our value. But the Word reminds us that our identity is rooted in Christ, not performance. When we consistently read, study, and apply Scripture, our hearts begin to align with God’s heart. As that alignment happens, our desires shift. We become more aware of conviction, aware of opportunities to serve, and more willing to love sacrificially. We stop looking for validation and start living from Shalom peace and wholeness in Him. This clarity creates space for good works that flow naturally from a transformed heart.
Third Prayer: Discipleship is not behavior modification; it’s spiritual transformation. That transformation happens through communion with God. Prayer softens our hearts and keeps us connected to the One who knows and loves us most. It strengthens us when we feel weak and realigns us when we drift. Prayer is where surrender becomes personal.
Fourth Community: We must be discipled before we disciple others. We sit under the teaching. We ask questions. We receive correction. We create spaces that allow us to grow. As we mature, the roles shift. We start to pour into others. We model obedience. Teach from what we have learned. Growth is continuous and relational.
Fifth Multiplication: Discipleship does not end with personal growth. When Jesus gave us the Great Commission, He called us to make disciples. We are not meant to be reservoirs that store truth but rivers that allow it to flow outward. What God does in us should extend beyond us.
It is important to understand that this process takes time. There will be seasons of growth and seasons of pruning. There will be times of clarity and moments of conviction. The goal is not perfection but to be faithful to our Lord God. Sometimes we may feel discouraged because we still struggle, but it is better to suffer one day in the flesh than to spend all of eternity away from our Father. Discipleship isn’t glamorous and won’t be easy, but it’s the path to becoming who we were created to be, and it is worth everything.
