I’ve posted about some words (and types of words) that I avoid, today I’d like to talk about a word that I do not avoid, the word “disciple.” It is a term from the Bible, one that is not all that familiar to many people, a sort of “Christian-ese” word of the sort that I might avoid for the sake of clarity… but not this time. Why?
Because it is just the right word.
Yes, I usually need to define it for people who aren’t used to it, but that is an opportunity, so it’s well worth the effort. I usually use a very simple and brief definition, one that reduces the word down to a very easy level to comprehend: A disciple is one who knows what the Master knows, and who does what the Master does. You see? “Disciple” is just the right word to describe what the Christian life is supposed to be!
It is also the exact word that Jesus used to describe who and what we are supposed to be.
Yes, “disciple” is a Biblical word that is worth redeeming in the 21st century.
Of course, most Christians would say that they don’t know what the Master (Jesus) knows, so how can they do what He did. To be honest, that’s where most of us remain in life, but then have we forgotten that Jesus left us His revelation in the form of His Word? We can learn everything that He left us to master, but we run into trouble sometimes when we take the Bible and treat it like a textbook, memorizing and reciting, learning to “prove” things in arguments and coming away with a list of rules and regulations. Oh, yes, lots of trouble! That wouldn’t exactly be doing what Jesus did, would it?
It’s easy for anybody who wants to put in a little effort to learn Bible facts, but until we leave our comfort zone and really put the New Testament into practice, we will remain clueless as disciples. It is easy to memorize the verses about loving our neighbors, for example, but that isn’t helping our neighbor out when he’s in trouble, is it? But then, that could be uncomfortable!
While we are learning Bible facts, I hope that we will notice that Jesus was not afraid to get His hands dirty. As His follower, am I afraid?
To become a disciple of Jesus Christ, we must be willing to put His Word into practice.
To that end, I have a hunch that this will be the first of a series of posts about the word “disciple.”
I hope we can get together again very soon to see more about this whole disciple business, and leave our comfort zones behind for good.
Life Project Blog 
Dit is op Blog from Alex Dekkers herblogd.
Thank you!
You are welcome. It is a very good blog everyone should read so if I can help a little by reblogging it, then I hope it will help. God bless and look forward to other blogs of you.
This only almost looks Dutch to me. Is it a Scandinovian language?
I don’t think so! 🙂
Our words are extremely important. If only more would consider their words; what they say, how they say it, and realize what exactly their words convey.
Going along here, Yes, understanding the word ‘ disciple ‘ and all that comes with it, is crucial in furthering our relationship with Jesus Christ in and through His Word as well as His Holy Spirit and the Revelations we can receive through such harmony as this.
The line is drawn, how bout crossing it??
Blessings Brother Don,
N
Thanks N! Let’s charge across it!
Amen brother! Right there beside you!!
N
We must be doers of the Word and not hearers only. There was a place in Ephesians where Paul asked for prayer that he might make known with boldness the gospel. He said this right after he spoke of spiritual warfare. Satan will try to paralyze us and make us immobile. Once we step out in faith a few times its just like anything else in that the more we do something we gain confidence and before long it’s just a part of who we are. Great post.
And to answer your question what is “in” a word: if you add “in” to “disciple” you get discipline and that is what it takes to be a disciple. Self Discipline to read the Word and then to act.
Nicely done, thank you!
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Reblogged this on Center for Chinese Church Studies and commented:
Great reflection on meaning of discipleship!
Thank you!
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