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Informing Discipleship with Biblical Analogies and Examples

Discipleship in the biblical tradition involves a commitment to following and imitating Christ, characterized by obedience to his teachings and active participation in his mission [9, 11]. The concept of a "disciple" is closely linked to that of an "apostle" [2]. Biblical texts and theological interpretations offer numerous analogies and examples to illustrate the nature of discipleship, emphasizing both the example of Christ and the conduct of other faithful individuals.

Jesus himself serves as the primary example for discipleship, demonstrating key virtues and practices. He exemplified diligence, as seen in his early rising (Mark 1:35) and his commitment to his Father's work (Luke 2:49) [1, 3]. Christ also modeled self-denial, rejecting worldly temptations and humbling himself (Matthew 4:8-10; Philippians 2:6-8) [5]. His life further demonstrated the importance of intercessory prayer (Luke 22:32; John 17:9-24) and communion with God (Luke 19:41-42) [4, 6]. Disciples are called to imitate Christ, and this imitation extends to receiving the word of God even amidst affliction, as the Thessalonians did [12].

Beyond Christ, the Bible presents numerous figures whose lives offer patterns for discipleship. The apostle Paul encouraged believers to imitate him, just as he imitated Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1), and urged the Philippians to "be imitators together of me, and note those who walk this way, even as you have us for an example" (Philippians 3:17) [8, 10]. This suggests that discipleship is not merely an individual pursuit but a communal one, where believers learn from and encourage one another.

Diligence is a recurring theme in the lives of biblical figures. Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joshua, Gideon, Samuel, David, and Mary are all noted for their early rising in the service of God or their daily duties [1]. This practice is linked to devotion (Psalm 5:3), executing God's commands (Genesis 22:3), and diligently performing daily tasks (Proverbs 31:15) [1]. Neglecting such diligence can lead to poverty (Proverbs 6:9-11) [1]. Spiritually, diligence is illustrated by the call to "wake up" and "cast off the works of darkness" (Romans 13:11-12) [1].

Discipleship also involves specific actions and attitudes:

The early church understood discipleship as a process of "coming and seeing" Jesus, remaining with him, and obeying his commands [9, 14]. Jesus' instructions to his disciples, particularly in Matthew 10:5-42, focused on missionary activity, acknowledging the opposition and hardship that would accompany it [13]. He sent them out "two by two," a practice that fulfilled the Old Testament requirement for two witnesses and provided mutual support, delegating his authority to them to preach and heal (Mark 6:7-13) [15]. The curriculum for disciples is comprised of "all the commands of Jesus," with obedience being a hallmark of the church (Matthew 28:20) [11]. The prophet Isaiah also speaks of binding up the testimony and sealing the teaching among his disciples (Isaiah 8:16) [7].

Sources

  1. 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 ”
  2. Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Disciple — [APOSTLES]”
  3. 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:”
  4. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Prayer, Intercessory — Christ set an example of -- Lu 22:32; 23:34; Joh 17:9-24. Commanded -- 1Ti 2:1; Jas 5:14,16. Should be offered up for Kings. -- 1Ti 2:2. All in authority. -- 1Ti 2:2. Ministers. -- 2Co 1:11; Php 1:19. The Church. -- Ps 122:6; Isa 62:6,7. All saints. -- Eph 6:18. All men. -- 1Ti 2:1. Masters. -- Ge 24:12-14. Servants. -- Lu 7:2,3. Children. -- Ge 17:18; Mt 15:22. Friends. -- Job 42:8. Fellow-countrymen. -- Ro 10:1. The sick. -- Jas 5:14. Persecutors. -- Mt 5:44. Enemies among whom we dwell. -- Jer 29:7. Those who envy us. -- Nu 12:13. Those who ”
  5. 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 ”
  6. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Communion With God — Christ set an example of -- Lu 19:41,42. Exhortation to -- Ro 12:15; 1Pe 3:8. Exercise towards The afflicted. -- Job 6:14; Heb 13:3. The chastened. -- Isa 22:4; Jer 9:1. Enemies. -- Ps 35:13. The poor. -- Pr 19:17. The weak. -- 2Co 11:29; Ga 6:2. Saints. -- 1Co 12:25,26. Inseparable from love to God -- 1Jo 3:17; Joh 4:20. Motives to The compassion of God. -- Mt 13:27,33. The sense of our infirmities. -- Heb 5:2. The wicked made to feel, for saints -- Ps 106:46. Promise to those who show -- Pr 19:17; Mt 10:42. Illustrated -- Lu 10:33; 15:20. Exemp”
  7. Isaiah “Isaiah 8:16 (LEB) — Bind up the testimony; seal the teaching among my disciples.”
  8. Philippians “Brothers, be imitators together of me, and note those who walk this way, even as you have us for an example. -- Philippians 3:17”
  9. John (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on John 8:31: 8:31-32 Discipleship is more than knowing who Jesus is. It is also about obeying his teachings (3:36; 14:15, 21, 23; 15:10). • Because Jesus is the truth (14:6), knowing him brings discernment of what is true and what is false. • set you free: The truth brings freedom from darkness, falsehood, and sin.”
  10. Philippians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Philippians 3:17: followers--Greek, "imitators together." of me--as I am an imitator of Christ (Co1 11:1): Imitate me no farther than as I imitate Christ. Or as BENGEL "My fellow imitators of God" or "Christ"; "imitators of Christ together with me" (see on Phi 2:22; Eph 5:1). mark--for imitation. which walk so as ye have us for an ensample--In English Version of the former clause, the translation of this clause is, "those who are walking so as ye have an example in us." But in BENGEL'S translation, "inasmuch as," or "since," instead of "as."”
  11. Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 28:20: 28:20 Teach: The disciples’ curriculum is comprised of all the commands of Jesus (e.g., the Sermon on the Mount, chs 5–7). The church is to be marked by its obedience to Jesus’ commands (5:17-20; 7:13-27). Jesus’ authority and presence are the basis for the disciples’ mission (see also 1:23; 18:20).”
  12. 1 Thessalonians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Thessalonians 1:6: And ye--answering to "For our Gospel," Th1 1:5. followers--Greek, "imitators." The Thessalonians in their turn became "ensamples" (Th1 1:7) for others to imitate. of the Lord--who was the apostle of the Father, and taught the word, which He brought from heaven, under adversities [BENGEL]. This was the point in which they imitated Him and His apostles, joyful witness for the word in much affliction: the second proof of their election of God (Th1 1:4); Th1 1:5 is the first (see on Th1 1:5). received the word in much affliction-- (Th1 2:14; ”
  13. Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 9:35: 9:35–11:1 Jesus here extends his ministry (shown in 4:23–9:34) to others within Israel through his disciples (10:5-6). Jesus’ instructions to his disciples (10:5-42) focus on missionary activity and its consequent opposition and hardship. 9:35 This verse connects with the section begun at 4:23. Matthew has presented Jesus to his readers as the Messiah who teaches, preaches, heals, casts out demons, and calls for a decisive response of faith.”
  14. 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.”
  15. Mark (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Mark 6:7: 6:7-13 Jesus now sent the disciples out to preach and heal. During this mission, Jesus’ memorable teachings were engraved in their minds by retelling, and it prepared them to remember and retell later what Jesus did and taught (Luke 1:2). 6:7 two by two: This practice fulfilled the Old Testament requirement of two witnesses (Num 35:30; Deut 17:6; 19:15; see Matt 18:16) and provided for companionship and mutual help (Acts 13:1-3; 15:22, 39, 40). • giving them authority: Jesus can delegate his authority (see Mark 1:27; 2:10) to others. • The disciples were to cast out ”
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