Today, I want to dive into a topic that is absolutely central to who we are called to be as followers of Jesus Christ. We hear a lot about “discipleship” in the church, but what does it actually mean to be a disciple of Jesus Christ—not just in theory, but in our everyday lives? Equipped for Purpose has a clear mission: to equip, develop, and empower followers of Jesus Christ to integrate deep discipleship with impactful leadership in every area of life.
I believe that truly following Jesus isn’t just a spiritual add-on; it’s the foundation for living a life of purpose and leading well—whether in your home, workplace, community, or church. In this post, we’ll explore what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ in our daily lives, moving beyond definitions to uncover the practical actions that define a disciple. We’ll draw on foundational understandings we’ve discussed before and examine the actions that flow from this identity.
Laying the Foundation: Defining Disciple and Discipleship
Let’s start by revisiting our core definitions. I define a disciple as fundamentally “One who has faith to intentionally place believing trust and loyalty in Jesus Christ as the Messiah.” But it doesn’t stop there. A disciple is also “One who is taking intentional and focused daily action to see the fruit of transformation to be more like Christ.” And, critically, a disciple is “One who is taking intentional and purposeful action to share the gospel of Jesus Christ.”
Building on this, discipleship is twofold: first, being a disciple of Jesus Christ; second, seeking the replication of disciples. This process of making more disciples happens through intentional actions like building a relationship with God through prayer and scripture study, engaging in community with other believers, sharing the gospel, and pursuing transformation and godly character.
Historical and Contextual Understanding
Historically, making disciples has been a core command for the church. As highlighted in the article “Making Disciples – Obstacles and Opportunities in Urban Congregations,” the United Methodist Church crafted a mission statement in the early 2000s: “Make Disciples of Jesus Christ for the Transformation of the World.” Yet, the understanding and practice of evangelism and discipleship haven’t always been clear or consistent.
The article notes that some congregations struggle to grasp what it truly means to make disciples or recognize that the ultimate goal is transforming the world. In certain contexts, evangelism became narrowly defined as professions of faith, disconnected from spiritual formation and mission.
This reveals a key challenge: shifting from a theoretical grasp of discipleship to practical, daily living. Discipleship is a lifelong journey toward becoming more like Christ, rooted in regular practices and disciplines. Jesus modeled this holistically, meeting people where they were and inviting them into a new way of life. The early church, too, prioritized essential practices taught by the apostles.
So, what does this intentional, lifelong following of Jesus look like in action? What do disciples do?
The Actions of a Disciple: Expanding on Your Definitions
Drawing from our definitions and other sources, the actions of a disciple fall into several key areas. Let’s break them down.
1. Prioritizing a Relationship with God
This is foundational. One article I’ve read put it well: “Prayer is simply talking to God. While He knows our thoughts, prayer is not for informing Him, but for showing our dependence on Him and expressing our desire for Him to act.” Prayer fosters dependence and security in God alone—it’s an act of worship. Disciples are called to consistent, daily prayer for relationship-building and petition.
Alongside prayer, deep scripture study is essential. Learning God’s Word equips us to follow Jesus, revealing what to avoid and how to live a Spirit-filled life. Regularly engaging with scripture is vital for spiritual growth.
Other key actions include confessing sin and accepting God’s forgiveness—keeping short accounts with God—and worshiping Him, both personally and with others. Disciples live by faith, trusting God as the basis for their decisions and enduring difficulties by fixing their eyes on Jesus.
2. Engaging in Community
Disciples are meant to live in relationship with other believers. Fellowship isn’t just casual; it’s intentional, aiming to unite us around Jesus for discipleship. It involves caring for one another and meeting needs within the community. Fellowship has a purpose: helping each other become more like Christ.
Community offers accountability, empathy, and encouragement. Small groups, for example, provide support for navigating faith’s challenges. Authentic communities help people find belonging and purpose.
At the heart of this is the command to love one another. Love anchors everything disciples do—prayer, fasting, giving, fellowship—and flows into serving others, actively seeking ways to meet needs and show God’s love practically.
3. Sharing the Gospel and Joining God’s Mission
Disciples are called to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ, tying back to discipleship’s goal of replication. Evangelism—initiating people into God’s kingdom—takes many forms: prayer, inviting someone to a small group, acts of justice, or sharing the good news. It’s an invitation to lifelong discipleship, not just a one-time decision.
Disciples must be ready to share their testimony effectively. As Peter writes, “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have” (1 Peter 3:15, ESV). Sharing should feel inviting and convey good news.
Jesus called us to be “fishers of men,” actively seeking the lost. Disciples join God’s mission to transform the world and their communities, impacting those in their sphere of influence—work, play, home. Often, a friend’s lived-out faith speaks louder than a stranger’s words.
4. Committing to Transformation and Godly Character
Our definition includes taking daily action toward transformation into Christ’s likeness—a lifelong journey. This means intentionally developing godly character: living by the Spirit, pursuing holiness, practicing godliness, imitating Christ’s humility, upholding integrity, fostering healthy relationships, aligning with God’s will, and controlling our words. These require effort and reliance on the Holy Spirit.
Disciples commit to growing in these Christian basics and applying them daily.
Relevance for Impactful Leadership and You
Why do these actions matter? Because deep discipleship is the non-negotiable foundation for impactful leadership. You can’t lead others in faith or with Christ-like influence—in your job, family, or community—without first being a committed disciple.
As leaders in homes, workplaces, or churches, we’re called to model these practices and equip others to follow suit. Our leadership’s impact hinges on our discipleship commitment.
These practices—prayer, scripture study, community, gospel-sharing, and character growth—aren’t just for personal benefit; they equip, develop, and empower us to lead well. Discipleship training matures believers into leaders who make a tangible difference. Leaders provide direction and motivation.
The ultimate purpose? Making disciples transforms the world. This demands both personal transformation and collective action—a calling from Jesus for all followers and leaders.
Actionable Steps
Let’s get practical. Here are concrete steps you can take this week:
For Personal Growth
- Commit to daily prayer and scripture study. Even 15-20 minutes can become a habit. Set a time, maybe using a devotional or Bible plan. Prayer shows dependence on God; scripture teaches us to follow Jesus.
- Evaluate your character. Reflect on biblical traits like humility or integrity. Pick one area to focus on this week, seeking the Holy Spirit’s help for transformation.
For Community and Relationships
- Engage in intentional fellowship. If you’re not in a small group or accountability relationship, find one. If you are, deepen your involvement—share a struggle or encourage someone. Fellowship fuels discipleship.
- Serve others. Look for opportunities in your community or church to meet needs and express God’s love.
For Leadership and Disciple-Making
- Practice your testimony. Craft a simple “before, how, and after” story of how Christ changed you. Be ready to share your hope.
- Build relationships with non-believers. In your workplace, neighborhood, or hobbies, sow seeds of God’s Word through your life and words.
If you lead, consider how to equip others in these discipleship areas. Intentional training reproduces disciples.
Conclusion and Call to Action
Being a disciple of Jesus Christ is more than a label—it’s an identity lived through intentional actions: trusting in Christ, becoming more like Him daily, and sharing the gospel. Discipleship means living this out and replicating it in others. Prayer, study, community, witness, and character development aren’t optional—they’re essential to following Jesus and leading with impact.
I challenge you to reflect: Which of these areas is your strength? Which needs focus this week? Is there one person you can invest in to help them grow as a disciple?
Pick one or two steps from above and commit to them this week. Write them down and check your progress later.
The power for this life comes from Christ. Discipleship and disciple-making are lifelong journeys, and we’re equipped for this purpose.
Thank you for reading. Keep leaning into Jesus, living as a disciple, and leading with purpose.