What is a Disciple? Part 1

The PARALLEL FAITH Podcast

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What is a Disciple? Part 1

A Parallel Podcast mini-series

Dave Boden

Apr 01, 2023

Over the next three episodes my wife Leah and I will take a brief look with you at three Bible verses where Jesus talks about what it means to be a disciple.

Church of England priest, Cris Rogers, reminds us that life as a disciple can be summarised in these main aspects: Loving God with our heads, loving God with our hearts, and loving God with our hands. This idea links so clearly to the great commandment spoken by Jesus:

Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ Matthew 22:37

There are three key Bible verses that mention the word DISCIPLE and affirm this idea of head, heart and hands. Over the next three episodes in this mini-series we will focus on the following:

Part 1: A DISCIPLE is a LEARNER (HEAD).
Part 2: A DISCIPLE is a LOVER (HEART).
Part 3: A DISCIPLE is a LOSER (HANDS).

Click above to listen to PART 1 of the audio series now.

A DISCIPLE is a Learner…

“If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31-32

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION:

Here are some questions to reflect on as you hold onto Christ’s teachings:

What are you learning about Jesus at the moment?
Is your learning helping move you closer to Jesus or away from him?
How do your habits help or hinder learning with Jesus?
What needs to change in order for you to start to put your learning into practice?

Enjoy listening to this week’s audio!

Discussion about this podcast

The PARALLEL FAITH Podcast

The word parallel comes from the Greek parallēlos - which consists of para- ‘alongside’ and allēlos meaning ‘one another’.

Making disciples is one of the key things Jesus commanded us to do, yet so many Christians struggle to even know what a disciple is. I am on a mini - mission for "discipleship" to no longer be professionalized (abdicated to the professional, preacher or pastor) or pigeonholed (something my church does on a course on a Thursday night) but be prioritised again as people realize it’s not just a programme - it's a way of life.

To be a disciple means to follow Jesus until we become like him.

Here’s how I define discipleship: Walking alongside others on their journey to Christ.

You don't have to wait until someone steps in side a church building to make disciples. You simply have to help others take a small step towards Jesus before they take big steps with him. Anyone can do this with others from any starting point!

Let’s explore more together.

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