As children of God, not only are you called a believer, but you are also by extension, a disciple of Jesus Christ. Discipleship is not just about following Jesus; it is also about becoming like Him and sharing His love with others. Here are 4 keys to successful discipleship – and by no means is this an exhaustive list, but some key points to consider below.

Transformation

You are saved by grace the moment you put your faith in Jesus, and what did on the cross on our behalf. However, discipleship involves a process of transformation. In Romans 12:2, we are told, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God.” As we follow Jesus and learn from Him, our minds and hearts are transformed, and we begin to think and act more like Him. To be a disciple of Jesus means to follow Him and learn from Him. In Matthew 4:19, Jesus called His first disciples, saying, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” This call to follow Jesus is not just a one-time decision; it is a lifelong commitment to learn from Him and follow His example.

Sharing the Gospel

Before we can share the Gospel, we must know the Gospel. Understand how the Gospel applies to our lives daily and in every season. From this place, we are able to contextualize the gospel in any situation we may find ourselves in. We know the Gospel, we show the Gospel and share the Gospel. In Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus gave the Great Commission, saying, “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, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” As disciples of Christ, we are called to share His love and message with others and help them grow in their faith.

Sacrifice

There’s no question that if we are to be a disciple of Christ, we must also be willing to make sacrifices. We cannot simply add Jesus to our lives, He must be the undisputed, supreme King on the throne of our hearts, with absolute authority to remove and reshape anything in our lives that come in between our relationship with Him. In Luke 9:23, Jesus said, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” Following Jesus means putting Him first in our lives and being willing to let go of anything that hinders us from fully serving Him.

Multiplication

The ultimate goal of discipleship is to create more disciples. If we are not training disciples to disciple others, we are doing a disservice to the body of Christ, especially to new believers. The Bible says in Ephesians 4:16 “From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.” As disciples of Jesus, you are part of Christ’s body (1 Corinthians 12:27). The body of Christ depends on each person to do the work the Lord has prepared for us do beforehand (Ephesians 2:10). We were each made for a particular purpose, and as disciples, we all play a role in advancing the kingdom by making more disciples, who specifically make more disciples.

In conclusion, discipleship is not just about following Jesus; it is about becoming like Him and sharing His love with others. As we follow Jesus, we are transformed, and our lives become a testimony to His grace and mercy. Let us be willing to make sacrifices, share His love, and help others grow in their faith, as we seek to be faithful disciples of Jesus Christ who make more disciples.