“Disciple” is one of the most common words in the New Testament. It appears hundreds of times in the Gospels and the book of Acts, far more often than the word “Christian”. Yet many believers aren’t quite sure what it means, or whether it describes them.
Here’s what a disciple is, how Jesus called His first disciples, and what being one looks like in everyday life.
What Does “Disciple” Mean?
The New Testament word translated “disciple” simply means a learner or student. But in Jesus’ day, a disciple was more than someone who attended lessons. A disciple followed a teacher, listened to his teaching, watched how he lived, and set out to become like him.
Jesus put it this way:
“Students are not greater than their teacher. But the student who is fully trained will become like the teacher.”
Luke 6:40 NLT
That’s the heart of it. A disciple of Jesus learns from Jesus in order to become like Jesus.
How Jesus Called His First Disciples
Jesus’ first disciples were ordinary working men: fishermen, a tax collector. He didn’t begin by giving them a course of study. He began with an invitation:
“Jesus called out to them, ‘Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!’”
Mark 1:17 NLT
Notice the order. First follow me, then I will show you. Being a disciple starts with a relationship with Jesus, and everything else grows from walking with Him.
Is Every Christian a Disciple?
In the New Testament, yes. “Disciples” is the usual name for those who believed in Jesus, and the book of Acts tells us it was at Antioch that the disciples were first called Christians (Acts 11:26). The two words describe the same people.
That means discipleship isn’t an advanced level for especially committed believers. It’s the normal Christian life: following Jesus, learning from Him, and being changed by Him over a lifetime.
Five Marks of a Disciple of Jesus
The Gospels show what a disciple looks like. Here are five marks, each in Jesus’ own words.
1. A disciple follows Jesus daily.
“If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me.”
Luke 9:23 NLT
Following Jesus means choosing His way over our own, not once, but day by day.
2. A disciple holds on to His teaching.
“Jesus said to the people who believed in him, ‘You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings.’”
John 8:31 NLT
A disciple keeps returning to what Jesus said, and keeps living it. (If you’re not sure where to begin, see How to Read the Bible (opens in a new tab).)
Jesus goes on to promise that those who remain in His teaching will know the truth, and the truth will set them free (John 8:32). Knowing His words is the start; living them is where the freedom is found. That distance between knowing truth and living it consistently in real life is something we call The Gap (opens in a new tab).
3. A disciple loves others.
“Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”
John 13:35 NLT
Love is the mark Jesus said others would recognize.
4. A disciple bears fruit. Jesus said that when His followers produce much fruit, they show they are His disciples and bring glory to the Father (John 15:8). The fruit grows as we stay connected to Him, the vine.
5. A disciple makes disciples. The last words Matthew records from Jesus are a commission:
“Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Matthew 28:19–20 NLT
As I wrote in my book, Renewing Your Mind: Living Life Intentionally:
“We all have the instruction to go and make disciples for the kingdom of God. In other words, we are all called to grow the body of Christ wherever we are called.”
Making disciples isn’t only for pastors and missionaries. It happens wherever a follower of Jesus helps someone else follow Him too.
Being a Disciple Today
You don’t need to leave your job or your town to be a disciple. Jesus’ first followers walked with Him on dusty roads. We walk with Him through His Word, by His Spirit, and alongside other believers. In practice that looks like:
- Time with Jesus: reading His words and praying.
- Obedience in ordinary moments: at home, at work, on the road.
- Life with other believers: learning, encouraging and being encouraged.
- Growth over time: becoming a little more like Jesus, season by season.
None of us does this perfectly. A disciple is a learner, and learners are still learning.
Want to understand the bigger picture? See What Is Discipleship? (opens in a new tab)
Grow as a Disciple With Others
Disciples have always grown best together. At Renewing Your Mind Discipleship Ministry, we offer courses that help believers grow as followers of Jesus in community, applying God’s Word to everyday life: Milestones for church groups, and DeepDive for a smaller, guided group.
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
