DISCIPLE: (from the Latin discipulus,' pupil, learner', corresponding to Greek mathetes, from manthano, 'to learn')
                       It basically means the student of a teacher1
  DISCIPLE: (Greek mathetes.) Lit., a learner, indicating thought accompanied by endeavor.
                      It denotes one who follows one's teaching. One is not just a  pupil but an adherent, hence they are spoken of as
                      imitators of their teacher.2

         The word disciple is used 269 times in the Bible and is only found in the Gospels and in the book of Acts.  Disciple is the noun form of the word discipleship. Therefore a definition of  discipleship would be  the process by which, or the action one takes to become a disciple.

         After a careful search of the Gospels, I have found that Biblical discipleship is based on the model Jesus Himself displayed and includes the following:

  1. The call  to discipleship was initiated by Jesus (Mark 1:16-20).
  2. Personal allegiance to Jesus,  which involved following Him and giving Him exclusive loyalty (Mark 8:34-38).
  3. In some cases it meant literal abandonment of house and family (Mark 10:21,28.
  4. The disciple was not greater than or above his master (Matt. 10:24).
  5. The disciples of Christ were given power over unclean spirits and healing (Matt. 10:1).
  6. The disciples questioned Jesus  concerning His parables and His actions (Matt. 13:10).
  7. The disciples made recommendations to Jesus (Matt. 14:12).
  8. The disciples were corrected by Jesus (Matt. 15:23).
  9. Jesus questions His disciples (Matt. 16:13).
  10. The disciples obeyed Jesus (Matt. 26:19).
  11. Jesus spent most of His time with His disciples (See the Gospels).
  12. Jesus trained His disciples (Luke 9:3-6).
  13. Jesus teaches His disciples how to pray (Luke 11:1).
  14. Jesus taught His disciples (Luke 16:1).
  15. Jesus caused His disciples to remember the Word of God (John 2:17).
  16. Some disciples, after hearing the truth from Jesus, left Him for good  (John 6:65-66).
  17. The disciples didn't always understand what Jesus taught (John 12:16).
  18. A sign of a true disciple of Jesus was love for one another (John 13:35).
  19. Jesus will show Himself to His true disciples (John 21:1).
  20. Jesus commissioned His disciples with a mission (Matt. 28:19)

         Before I can develop a philosophy of discipleship , it is important to understand one vital point. Discipleship can be viewed two ways. The first way views discipleship as a  two-step process. The first step involves evangelism and winning the soul of the future disciple for Christ. Once the individual has made a confession of faith, the second aspect of discipleship must be implemented, that of  helping the new believer  conform to the image of Christ.

         The other view of discipleship is that of believer edification and helping the believer conform to the image of Christ. In this view, evangelism is seen as a completely different ministry  not necessarily connected to discipleship. It is the intent of this paper to limit it's research and development to the latter view of discipleship, that being the believers edification and conformity to the image of Christ.

         By utilizing the  aforementioned  model of Jesus' discipleship ministry  as seen in the Gospels, and with the help of  Robert E. Coleman,  author of the book 'THE MASTER PLAN OF EVANGELISM', I believe a philosophy statement can be made regarding Jesus' discipleship ministry.

         Jesus' philosophy of discipleship involves 8 specific steps3.

        -First is selection. The initial step Jesus took was to call men who would follow Him and be a witness for Him after He
         was gone. The is no evidence in Scripture that Jesus was hurried in His selection process.
        -The second step was association. Jesus spent time with His disciples. The Gospels give the account of His time with
          them.
        -Third is consecration. Jesus required His disciples to be obedient to Him.
        -Fourth is impartation. Jesus gave of Himself to the disciples. He loved them, corrected them, taught them, slept and lived
          with them.
        -Fifth is demonstration. Jesus showed His disciples how to live with man and with God.
        -Sixth is delegation. Jesus assigned work for His disciples to do.
        -Seventh is supervision. Jesus met with His disciples after He had sent them out to see how they had done.
        -And eighth is reproduction. Jesus expected His disciples to teach and model what they had learned to others.

         With Jesus' philosophy of discipleship as a base, I have developed my own discipleship philosophy which will reflect the particular needs of my own church ministry. The first thing that needs to be examined is  who it to  be discipled?  I believe that , like Christ, the pastor's role is to develop and train disciple-makers.  The first to be trained and discipled will be those on the official board or the deacons, which ever is the 'spiritual'  board,  not the administrative' board.

         After the 'spiritual' board,  the next to be discipled by the pastor  will involve those in the congregation who exhibit a potential for leadership, those who have a heart for God and who I believe could make an impact on the lives of our church body. I will approach these individuals and offer my time and resources to them. During this time, the 'spiritual' board, the disciple -makers, will be encouraged to disciple individuals on their own.

         It is important to understand  that others in the congregation who have a hunger for the Lord  but who may never be leaders, will  not be neglected. I do believe, however,  that a pastor only has so much time and his time should be used where the greatest effectiveness can be achieved. Jesus trained men to disciple other men. Jesus realized that He couldn't do it all. He made disciple-makers.

         The next step in my philosophy of discipleship is the 'what'. The 'what' is  the process of questioning the individual/couple and performing a needs assessment. I will examine their strengths and  weakness', their talents and spiritual gifts,  and their wants and desires for the discipleship process.

         After a through needs assessment,  I will relate those needs and expectations to  the types of resources available. Will our discipleship relationship consist of a  Bible study, a topical study or an informal discussion  centering on their walk with the Lord? I believe that since it is their spiritual journey we will be developing, they should have input into the format of our meetings.

         Next will be to make a thorough evaluation of the published study material available relating to the format chosen. If a Bible study is chosen as a format, what book or books will we be examining and what published study guides are available for use? If a topical study is selected, then what published study material is available that relates to the topic chosen?

         I believe that the next step in my discipleship philosophy would be implementation and association. This would involve time spent with the disciple and the working through  of the study format that was selected. Spending time with the disciples might mean making myself available to them at their convienence. It will involve looking for 'teachable' moments during the time spent together, not only in 'discipleship' time but also in other church and social functions. During this time and continuing throughout the discipleship process, I believe that I must be in prayer for and with the disciple. I would include the disciple in my personal prayer journal and would keep current with prayer requests and answered prayer from them.

         Evaluation would be my next step in my philosophy of discipleship. Periodically, I would look back and reflect with the disciple on the progress that has been made. This would include evaluating any homework and any tasks that were assigned. Accountability to each other is an important aspect of discipleship and this would be stressed throughout the discipleship relationship.

         Finally, I believe that discipleship involves reproduction; the making of new disciples by those being discipled. This is not something that can be forced on a disciple. It is not to be held over their head that if they don't agree to disciple someone when our discipleship relationship is ended that they have failed. It will be expressed throughout the relationship that the ultimate goal of discipleship is disciple-making. It is in the discipleship process that the Church of God can be built up and become a mighty people for God. It was, in fact, Jesus' reason for ministry on earth; to raise up disciples of God that would spread the Good News to the ends of the world, making disciples of all men.

         What is the expected result of discipleship for me? It is to build up believers in the faith and to make disciple-makers.  A true disciple of Christ will be a:
                      -believer (John 11:25,26)
                      -follower (Matt. 16:24)
                      -learner (John 8:31)
                      -witness (Mark 5:18,19)
                      -reproducer (Matt. 28:19)

         Jesus' ministry to His disciples was a very personal one with many demands placed on the lives of the disciples. It is important for me to understand that the disciples allegiance and devotion must be to Jesus Christ and to Him alone. I must not disciple anyone for the hope of appreciation and praise from the disciple. All power and authority ,  all ability and talent is given by God to man for the Glory and praise of the name of Jesus, without whom all is impossible and meaningless.

          I also understand that the life of the discipler will be examined by the disciple therefore, I must strive to keep my relationship with Christ  close, personal , and full of passion.  My personal devotional life must be alive and fulfilling. My family life must be consistent with what I am teaching and my character and integrity must be above reproach. By doing this, I will be fulfilling the great commission given to all believers by Jesus Christ our Lord.
 

End Notes
1 New Bible Dictionary, 2nd  edition. (Wheaton, Ill Tyndale House Publishers, 1991) p 285
2 Vine's Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words (Grand Rapids, Mich. Revell Publishers, 1981) p 316
3 Robert E. Coleman, The Master Plan of Evangelism,  (Grand Rapids, Mich. Spire Books)