Incorporating Biblical Examples into Discipleship Practices Effectively

Discipleship, in a biblical context, refers to the process of following and learning from a teacher or master. The term "disciple" (Greek: mathetes) signifies a learner or pupil ^[1]. In the Old Testament, the prophet Isaiah speaks of God sealing the law among his disciples (Isaiah 8:16) ^[8]. However, the concept of discipleship is most prominently developed in the New Testament, particularly in relation to Jesus Christ and his followers.

The New Testament presents Jesus as the ultimate example for discipleship, and his life and teachings provide a template for believers ^[14]. Disciples are those who desire to "come and see" Jesus, and upon encountering him, they remain with him ^[14]. This relationship leads to a transformed, fruit-bearing life, demonstrating a relationship of love with both Jesus and the Father ^[15]. Bearing much fruit is presented as evidence of true discipleship ^[10].

Biblical examples offer concrete illustrations of what discipleship entails, both in the life of Christ and in the lives of other biblical figures. These examples highlight various virtues and practices essential for effective discipleship.

Christ as the Exemplar of Discipleship

Jesus Christ consistently demonstrated the qualities and practices expected of his followers. His life serves as the primary model for discipleship:

Diligence: Jesus exemplified diligence in his ministry. For instance, Mark 1:35 notes his early rising for prayer, and Luke 2:49 records his early engagement with his Father's business ^[3]. This diligence is required of believers in seeking God, obeying him, hearkening to his word, and striving for spiritual perfection ^[3].
Sincerity: Christ was an example of sincerity, as seen in 1 Peter 2:22 ^[4]. Sincerity should characterize a disciple's love for God and Christ, their service to God, their faith, and their love for one another ^[4]. It stands in opposition to fleshly wisdom ^[4].
Self-Denial: Jesus demonstrated self-denial throughout his earthly ministry, notably in resisting temptation (Matthew 4:8-10), having no place to lay his head (Matthew 8:20), and submitting to the Father's will (John 6:38) ^[7]. Paul further emphasizes Christ's self-emptying in Philippians 2:6-8 ^[7]. Self-denial is a crucial test of devotion to Christ and is necessary for following him, engaging in spiritual warfare, and achieving spiritual triumph ^[7]. It involves denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, controlling appetites, and abstaining from fleshly desires ^[7].
Endurance of Affliction: Jesus's life was marked by suffering, and he taught his disciples that they too would face afflictions. The apostles confirmed the souls of disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, acknowledging that "through many afflictions we must enter into the Kingdom of God" (Acts 14:22) ^[5]. Afflictions, while difficult, are presented as beneficial. They can promote God's glory, exhibit his power and faithfulness, teach God's will, turn individuals to God, prevent backsliding, lead to prayer, and bring conviction of sin ^[6].

Old Testament Figures as Examples

While Jesus is the ultimate model, the Old Testament also provides examples of individuals whose lives illustrate principles of diligence and devotion that are relevant to discipleship:

Early Rising: The practice of early rising, often associated with devotion and executing God's commands, is exemplified by several Old Testament figures. Abraham rose early (Genesis 19:27), as did Isaac (Genesis 26:31), Jacob (Genesis 28:18), Joshua (Joshua 3:1), Gideon (Judges 6:38), Samuel (1 Samuel 15:12), and David (1 Samuel 17:20) ^[2]. This practice is linked to devotion (Psalm 5:3), executing God's commands (Genesis 22:3), and discharging daily duties (Proverbs 31:15) ^[2].

Discipleship in the Early Church

Following Christ's ascension, the apostles continued the work of discipleship, nurturing and encouraging new believers. Paul and Barnabas, for example, were diligent in following up with those who had made a profession of faith, appointing elders to lead and care for them ^[11]. This ongoing care and instruction were vital for the spiritual growth of the early church ^[11]. The "fellowship in the Gospel" (Philippians 1:5) refers to the real spiritual participation of believers in the Gospel from the beginning of their faith, which includes acts of communion and liberality towards fellow believers and ministers ^[9]. This fellowship is rooted in the fellowship of the Son of God and the Father, experienced through the Holy Spirit ^[9].

The concept of discipleship also involves a "professed subjection to the Gospel of Christ" ^[12]. This means that disciples not only learn and follow Christ's teachings but also demonstrate their allegiance through their actions, which can lead others to glorify God ^[12]. The Redeemer's knowledge of believers is an active principle that imbues them with His power and life, while the believer's knowledge is a receptive principle, leading to an assimilation of the soul to Christ ^[13]. This mutual knowing forms the basis of the disciple's relationship with Christ ^[13].

Sources

Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Disciple — [APOSTLES]”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Early Rising — Christ set an example of -- Mr 1:35; Lu 21:38; Joh 8:2. Requisite for Devotion. -- Ps 5:3; 59:16; 63:1; 88:13; Isa 26:9. Executing God's commands. -- Ge 22:3. Discharge of daily duties. -- Pr 31:15. Neglect of, leads to poverty -- Pr 6:9-11. Practised by the wicked, for Deceit. -- Pr 27:14. Executing plans of evil. -- Mic 2:1. Illustrates spiritual diligence -- Ro 13:11,12. Exemplified Abraham. -- Ge 19:27. Isaac, &c. -- Ge 26:31. Jacob. -- Ge 28:18. Joshua &c. -- Jos 3:1. Gideon. -- Jdj 6:38. Samuel. -- 1Sa 15:12. David. -- 1Sa 17:20. Mary, &c. -- Mr ”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Diligence — Christ, an example -- Mr 1:35; Lu 2:49. Required by God in Seeking him. -- 1Ch 22:19; Heb 11:6. Obeying him. -- De 6:17; 11:13. Hearkening to him. -- Isa 55:2. Striving after perfection. -- Php 3:13,14. Cultivating Christian graces. -- 2Pe 1:5. Keeping the souls. -- De 4:9. Keeping the heart. -- Pr 4:23. Labours of love. -- Heb 6:10-12. Following every good work. -- 1Ti 5:10. Guarding against defilement. -- Heb 12:15. Seeking to be found spotless. -- 2Pe 3:14. Making our call, &c, sure. -- 2Pe 1:10. Self-examination. -- Ps 77:6. Lawful business. -- Pr 27:”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Sincerity — Christ was an example of -- 1Pe 2:22. Ministers should be examples of -- Tit 2:7. Opposed to fleshly wisdom -- 2Co 1:12. Should characterise Our love to God. -- 2Co 8:8,24. Our love to Christ. -- Eph 6:24. Our service to God. -- Jos 24:14; Joh 4:23,24. Our faith. -- 1Ti 1:5. Our love to one another. -- Ro 12:9; 1Pe 1:22; 1Jo 3:18. Our whole conduct. -- 2Co 1:12. The preaching of the gospel. -- 2Co 2:17; 1Th 2:3-5. A characteristic of the doctrines of the gospel -- 1Pe 2:2. The gospel sometimes preached without -- Php 1:16. The wicked devoid of -- Ps 5:9; ”
Acts “confirming the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that through many afflictions we must enter into the Kingdom of God. -- Acts 14:22”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Afflictions Made Beneficial — In promoting the glory of God -- Joh 9:1-3; 11:3,4; 21:18,19. In exhibiting the power and faithfulness of God -- Ps 34:19,20; 2Co 4:8-11. In teaching us the will of God -- Ps 119:71; Isa 26:9; Mic 6:9. In turning us to God -- De 4:30,31; Ne 1:8,9; Ps 78:34; Isa 10:20,21; Ho 2:6,7. In keeping us from again departing from God -- Job 34:31,32; Isa 10:20; Eze 14:10,11. In leading us to seek God in prayer -- Jdj 4:3; Jer 31:18; La 2:17-19; Ho 5:14,15; Jon 2:1. In convincing us of sin -- Job 36:8,9; Ps 119:67; Lu 15:16-18. In leading us to con”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Self-Denial — Christ set an example of -- Mt 4:8-10; 8:20; Joh 6:38; Ro 15:3; Php 2:6-8. A test of devotedness to Christ -- Mt 10:37,38; Lu 9:23,24. Necessary In following Christ. -- Lu 14:27-33. In the warfare of saints. -- 2Ti 2:4. To the triumph of saints. -- 1Co 9:25-27. Ministers especially called to exercise -- 2Co 6:4,5. Should be exercised in Denying ungodliness and worldly lusts. -- Ro 6:12; Tit 2:12. Controlling the appetite. -- Pr 23:2. Abstaining from fleshly lusts. -- 1Pe 2:11. No longer living to lusts of men. -- 1Pe 4:2. Mortifying sinful lusts. -- Mr ”
Isaiah “Wrap up the testimony. Seal the law among my disciples. -- Isaiah 8:16”
Philippians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Philippians 1:5: Ground of his "thanking God" (Phi 1:3): "For your (continued) fellowship (that is, real spiritual participation) in (literally, 'in regard to') the Gospel from the first day (of your becoming partakers in it) until now." Believers have the fellowship of the Son of God (Co1 1:9) and of the Father (Jo1 1:3) in the Gospel, by becoming partakers of "the fellowship of the Holy Ghost" (Co2 13:14), and exercise that fellowship by acts of communion, not only the communion of the Lord's Supper, but holy liberality to brethren and ministers (Phi 4:10, Phi 4:”
John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on John 15:8: glorified that ye bear much fruit--not only from His delight in it for its own sake, but as from "the juices of the Living Vine." so shall ye be my disciples--evidence your discipleship.”
Acts (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Acts 14:22: 14:22-23 The apostles were diligent in following up with those who had made a Christian profession of faith. These new disciples needed to be nurtured, supported, and encouraged (15:32, 41; 16:40; 18:23; see 1 Thes 3:2; 4:18; 5:14). • Paul and Barnabas . . . appointed elders: See “Church Leaders” Theme Note.”
2 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 2 Corinthians 9:13: Whiles by the experiment of this ministration,.... That is, the poor saints at Jerusalem having a specimen, a proof, an experience of the liberality of the Gentile churches ministered to them by the apostles, first, they glorify God; by giving thanks unto him, acknowledging him to be the author of all the grace and goodness which they, and others, were partakers of; particularly for your professed subjection to the Gospel of Christ. The Gospel of Christ is the doctrine of grace, life, and salvation by Christ, of which he is the author, as God, the subject m”
John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on John 10:14: I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep--in the peculiar sense of Ti2 2:19. am known of mine--the soul's response to the voice that has inwardly and efficaciously called it; for of this mutual loving acquaintance ours is the effect of His. "The Redeemer's knowledge of us is the active element, penetrating us with His power and life; that of believers is the passive principle, the reception of His life and light. In this reception, however, an assimilation of the soul to the sublime object of its knowledge and love takes place; and thus an activity, ”
John (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on John 1:35: 1:35-51 This section introduces the template for discipleship in John’s Gospel. Disciples desired to come and see Jesus (1:39), and when they encountered him, they remained with him.”
John (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on John 15:8: 15:8 True disciples will experience a transformed, fruit-bearing life because they live in a relationship of love with both Jesus and the Father (15:9-10).”

Ask Your Own Question