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What does it mean to be a Disciple? - 4/28/2008 3:57:26 PM
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gmc4Jesus
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From: Torrance, California
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The word "disciple" means "learner", however, we also see the word sometimes (mis-)applied in other ways.
What does it mean to you to be a disciple?
I love Jesus so much that I want to learn more about what He did and how I can become more like Him. I would also like to influence others to study His life.
I believe that Jesus understands every situation that you and I are going through. He has the answers if we will be a true disciple.
_____________________________
Let's talk about Jesus, His life and teachings at the www.gettingtoknowjesus.org Gospel Study Forum.
Home of "Getting To Know Jesus", a complete Bible study on the life and teachings of Jesus.
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RE: What does it mean to be a Disciple? - 4/28/2008 4:16:34 PM
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CherishedbyGod
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The first disciples had the incredible privledge of not only hearing those gracious words come from His mouth but, also, they were with Him constantly. They ate and slept with Him. They watched His every move. They watched how He treated people and how He related to sinners, those without hope, the poor, the outcast and, yes the Pharisees and Scribes.
John the beloved disciple laid his head on the chest of Jesus. He laid his head on the breast of God!
Those being taught in those days spent all their time with their teachers.
We have the same privledge today if we choose to take advantage of it because He lives in the Christians heart. We may also study His every move as we study Him, particularly in the Gospels.
We see Him weep with those that wept, we see Him moved with compassion, we see Him looking on individuals and loving them, we see Him calling His betrayer "friend" even tho He knew Judas would betray Him. We see Him open the Word of God and say that He had come to set the prisoners free, to heal the broken-hearted, to heal the wounded, to turn a life of ashes into a life of beauty.
We can hear Him whisper sweet words of love and encouragement into our ears. We can feel Him strengthening us to continue on when all courage fails us. We see His hand outstretched to us when the deep waters would overwhelm us...
Oh, I could go on and on........Yes, I am His disciple, His taught one, His adored one 
_____________________________
~For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ~
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RE: What does it mean to be a Disciple? - 4/28/2008 6:12:37 PM
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SavedByGraceMD
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While disciple may mean learner, and that is true, I think it also has to do with what we do with the knowledge we have gained. What actions we take upon learning that information. Disciples of Jesus, in my opinion, are those who go about the Lord's work. Once we have been taught, once we have learned the truth of Jesus, we are to take it and live it, preach it, be it. Sometimes I find myself lacking in this area. I am relatively a new born believer. I would love to one day be thought of as a true disciple of our Lord and savior.
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RE: What does it mean to be a Disciple? - 4/28/2008 7:14:44 PM
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CherishedbyGod
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quote:
ORIGINAL: SavedByGraceMD
Once we have been taught, once we have learned the truth of Jesus, we are to take it and live it, preach it, be it.
I totally agree. Many of us have heard the "Christianize" saying, people don't care how much you know until they know how much you care.
We are to be Jesus to our neighbor, to our co-workers, to the grocery store clerk, to that abused person to that sinner - yes to that sinner, also.
It is Jesus living His life in and through us, out to a desperately needy world, empowered, led and guided by the blessed Holy Spirit. We are to stop and take the time to take an active interest in whomever God brings across our path.
We are to serve the poor, the needy, the broken-hearted...We are to tell them about Jesus, yes in our words, but, more importantly by our loving-kindness and humble service to them.....
Reminding myself now 
_____________________________
~For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ~
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RE: What does it mean to be a Disciple? - 4/28/2008 7:26:31 PM
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RJR_fan
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From: RTP, in sunny NC USA
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quote:
Once we have been taught, once we have learned the truth of Jesus, we are to take it and live it, preach it, be it. Sometimes I find myself lacking in this area. I am relatively a new born believer. I would love to one day be thought of as a true disciple of our Lord and savior.
Robert Coleman's Master Plan of Evangelism popularized the concept that Christians have obligations to one another, for the older to help the younger, and the stronger to help the weaker. The "discipleship movement" took this wholesome truth to hideous extremes, as self-anointed "disciplers" micromanaged the lives of those who followed them.
"Mentoring" is, perhaps, a less loaded term for this practice.
I've come to the conclusion that the search for a formal discipleship arrangement represents a real hunger for connection. However, to be wholesome, discipleship should occur in the routine, normal patterns of life. Home schooling, for example. Hospitality -- inviting people home for meals. Reading the Bible and praying together with friends. Cultivating friendships with believers and with unbelievers.
It's when we get into the extraordinary, the super-human, that we get into trouble.
_____________________________
Tutto posso in colui che me da la forza! (Fil. 4:13)
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RE: What does it mean to be a Disciple? - 4/28/2008 7:37:40 PM
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glimmerinthedark
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I'm still trying to figure out why He saved a wretch like me. I don't yet fully understand my calling.
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RE: What does it mean to be a Disciple? - 4/28/2008 7:43:47 PM
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Dakotasunbeam
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I have always though of a disciple as one who patterns his life after his master/teacher. We all know Jesus Christ was loving, Healed the sick, fed the poor, etc. But what we forget, is that He lived the Word of God, He spoke the Word of God, He was the Word of God, He obeyed the Word of God, and He kept the Word of God. We should always be looking for ways to be more like him, in thought, deed, heart, and mind. For many will say Lord, Lord do all of those good deeds, but their heart (keeping His word hidden there, precious and important) was far from Him. May it not be said of us.
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RE: What does it mean to be a Disciple? - 4/28/2008 7:57:26 PM
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gmc4Jesus
Posts: 154
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From: Torrance, California
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Dakotasunbeam
I have always though of a disciple as one who patterns his life after his master/teacher. We all know Jesus Christ was loving, Healed the sick, fed the poor, etc. But what we forget, is that He lived the Word of God, He spoke the Word of God, He was the Word of God, He obeyed the Word of God, and He kept the Word of God. We should always be looking for ways to be more like him, in thought, deed, heart, and mind. For many will say Lord, Lord do all of those good deeds, but their heart (keeping His word hidden there, precious and important) was far from Him. May it not be said of us.
Well said! If Jesus is our teacher, the more time we spend with Him, studying His life and teachings, the more we will naturally be influenced and changed by what He taught and did.
I don't understand Christians who think they already know Jesus (well enough) but don't live like Him.
Keep doing it for Jesus!
_____________________________
Let's talk about Jesus, His life and teachings at the www.gettingtoknowjesus.org Gospel Study Forum.
Home of "Getting To Know Jesus", a complete Bible study on the life and teachings of Jesus.
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RE: What does it mean to be a Disciple? - 4/28/2008 8:51:50 PM
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colliefan
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It means to be one thatone is so well aquinated the Master's ways everything that one does has the fingerprint of the Master and not the aprentice.
_____________________________
The grace of God is infinite and eternal. As it had no beginning, so it can have no end, and being an attribute of God, it is as boundless as infinitude.
A. W. Tozer (1897–1963)
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RE: What does it mean to be a Disciple? - 4/28/2008 10:04:37 PM
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Dakotasunbeam
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thanks, glimmerinthedark & gmc4jesus,
quote:
I don't understand Christians who think they already know Jesus (well enough) but don't live like Him.
gmc4,
Jesus Christ is saying, Talk is cheap, show me your life: it's funny, sometimes we forget, that's the only thing Jesus Christ is grading on, your walk and your heart. God said, they draw near me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. What have you been practising! It will show up; not just in public ministry, but private life. If one looks back at his/her own life it will tell us whether we've been talkin' cheap, or living costly for Jesus Christ. Count up the cost, Jesus Christ says!
Trouble is . . . most people don't want to pay the price; and it's reflected in the decisions they've made. To find your life, you lose it. True deciples live the Word of God.
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RE: What does it mean to be a Disciple? - 4/29/2008 12:50:46 AM
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gmc4Jesus
Posts: 154
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From: Torrance, California
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You have all posted some good thoughts.
What is a disciple that is not living a life like Christ has modeled for us.
An apostle is "one sent on a mission". Some of what you are describing fits our being sent on a mission to live the Christian life and lead others to an intimate and personal relationship with Jesus.
A disciple is a learner. An apostle is a missionary (whether at home in your community or some far away place).
Lord, teach us so that we might fulfill the commission to the mission you have gifted and called each of us to do.
_____________________________
Let's talk about Jesus, His life and teachings at the www.gettingtoknowjesus.org Gospel Study Forum.
Home of "Getting To Know Jesus", a complete Bible study on the life and teachings of Jesus.
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RE: What does it mean to be a Disciple? - 4/29/2008 1:31:03 AM
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Conquered
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quote:
What does it mean to you to be a disciple?
"If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be my disciple. And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. - Luke 14:26-27
Now this begs the monumental question: What does Jesus mean by all this and what does it look like in 21st century America?
_____________________________
You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. - John 15:16
www.desiringgod.org
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RE: What does it mean to be a Disciple? - 4/29/2008 2:24:42 AM
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SinnerSaved
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From: Belfast, N. Ireland
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A great question and all good answers so far. As has been said, a disciple strictly means student or follower, but it is actions and not words that really count. Although he was given authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal in Jesus name, Judas did not walk the walk. True disciples are to listen to Him, to grow in Him, to love Hime (and others), to obey Him, and to bring others to Him through the Great Commission. True disciples are like sheep who KNOW the shepherd's voice. They are to find other lost sheep, but to always be wary of wolves (He told the apostles to be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves).
Matthew 9:36-38
When He saw the crowds, He had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to His disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest field."
It was immediately after this, that He chose the 12 apostles from amongst a large crowd of His disciples.
_____________________________
"No man is an island, entire of itself...any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind; and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee."
John Donne
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RE: What does it mean to be a Disciple? - 4/29/2008 10:47:32 AM
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small_creation
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From: midwest
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quote:
ORIGINAL: BrokenMessenger
quote:
What does it mean to you to be a disciple?
"If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be my disciple. And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. - Luke 14:26-27
Now this begs the monumental question: What does Jesus mean by all this and what does it look like in 21st century America?
Good question, Broken. And I will repeat your question to anyone out there willing to interpret...What does Jesus mean in Luke 14:26-27?
j
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RE: What does it mean to be a Disciple? - 4/29/2008 10:59:31 AM
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SavedByGraceMD
Posts: 481
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quote:
ORIGINAL: small_creation
quote:
ORIGINAL: BrokenMessenger
quote:
What does it mean to you to be a disciple?
"If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be my disciple. And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. - Luke 14:26-27
Now this begs the monumental question: What does Jesus mean by all this and what does it look like in 21st century America?
Good question, Broken. And I will repeat your question to anyone out there willing to interpret...What does Jesus mean in Luke 14:26-27?
j
Well I won't contend to know for sure, but what Jesus says about carrying our cross and following him, is why I think being a disciple is more than just learning. Carry, and follow are actions. So once we learn from the master, his ways, we are then to use what we learn, and act on that. That to me is being a true disciple. If we just learn and never do, what good was what we learned. Regarding the first part of this verse, I will leave that up to someone who has more knowledge than I, since I really can't say I have a good idea.
_____________________________
Romans 5:8
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
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RE: What does it mean to be a Disciple? - 4/29/2008 11:57:02 AM
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doinkdom
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IMO disciple means being a doer of the word and not a mere sayer, thinker or reader of the word.
Discipleship is exactly what the NT church was all about...community walking out the gospel together.
_____________________________
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RE: What does it mean to be a Disciple? - 4/30/2008 7:49:47 AM
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deliveredarling
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What Luke is telling them in these verses is to count the cost of following Him. It's not a fun loving, happy go lucky road. It costs people their lives, literally! He told them to make sure they understood what was required of them BEFORE they decided to follow Him. Hating the Fathers and Mothers... In Jewish tradition, to follow Jesus sometimes meant that they would be cut off from their families because they decided to follow Him. This is true still even today. We must be willing to love Jesus more than we love our families and our lives.
Taking up the cross has to different meanings:
1) To literally follow Him into death if necessary
2) To do away with all selfish desires and allow Him to be in charge at all times. We no longer exist, but Him living through us.
Hope that helps!
_____________________________
"Now no one after lighting a lamp covers it over with a container, or puts it under a bed: but he puts it on a lampstand, in order that those who come in may see the light."
Luke 8:16
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