Hallmarks of a disciple

I could have written an entire book on this subject alone. Now I just want to give you some keywords. I do sincerely hope you will see the things I am describing here in yourself, and understand that it is these attitudes we are to develop within both ourselves and others.

Disciples are eager to learn.

When Jesus told about His having to suffer and die. Peter had his clear opinion and spoke his mind to Jesus: “This must not happen!” Jesus had to rebuke him in such a way that he would never forget it. Matth.16:21-23. Are you willing to accept discipline? How well do you accept frank criticism? How do you respond to someone’s honest opinion, spoken truthfully in love? Matth.18:15-18.

Disciples have the heart of a servant.

This was something Jesus worked at all the time with His disciples. They had all too many and too great ambitions, and this often led to hot discussions. Jesus had to emphasise time and again: A disciple is meant to serve and not to rule:

Jesus called them together and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave-- just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." (Matt. 20:25-34)

At the last supper Jesus gave his disciples another example of how to serve when He Who was their Master humbled Himself and washed their feet. John13:1-17.

I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. (John 13:15)

Disciples learn to listen

Peter was full of ideas and wanted to build shelters when he was together with Jesus on the mountain of revelation, but instead of this God told him to listen to Jesus. Martha were very busy in making things comfortable for Jesus while He taught them, but Mary made the right choice by sitting at His feet to listen to Him.

If we are to be good disciples, we will want to learn to listen to others and accept their teaching, instead of being busy in doing our own thing. God uses other people to teach us and therefore we have to be able to listen to others if we are to be helped.

This works the other way as well. We have to listen to other people in order to understand them and to be able to help them.

Disciples learn to submit

Jesus was very clear in His teaching that the disciple is not above his Master or his fellow disciples, but has to learn to submit. Mark.10: 35-45, 9:33-37. Matth.10: 24-25, 40-42. We find the same teaching with the apostles. 1.Thess.5: 12-13 Heb.13: 7, 17.

"If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all." (Mark 9:35)

Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you (Hebr.13:17)

Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. (Eph.5:21)

Are you willing to obey your leaders even if you do not always understand why? Are you willing to submit when you disagree in a decision? Are you willing to do something you are told to do even if it is something you do not like to do yourself?

This will never be a matter of blind obedience to some people, neither of prostrating oneself before dictatorial leaders. Correct submission is to be able to hear the voice of the Good Shepherd through other people. A disciple learns how to listen to God through his fellow disciples and his teachers.

Disciples learn to humble themselves

Disciples live in the light, in an open and honest fellowship where we do not pretend to be better than we are and do not hide behind any kind of mask. Disciples learn to rejoice over the prosperity of others and not to seek their own. Disciples learn to know both their weaknesses and their strengths in fellowship with others.

Have you learned to live in the Grace of God, and by the help of His Grace to overcome flaws in your character? Or are you a perfectionist who easily become self-righteous or condemned, feel sorry for yourself and have a condemning attitude towards others? Did you learn to judge yourself before you criticise others?

Have you learned to accept yourself as God accepts you the way you are? God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.

Disciples learn to be faithful

Jesus loved to the very last moment; He was faithful to His Father and towards His disciples. That is why He taught His disciples to be faithful and to endure.

Do you keep your promises? Are you faithful to your friends? Are you reliable? Can people trust you? Do you persevere when you have committed yourself to something? Do you give in easily? How do you cope with disappointments? Can you fulfil a task without complaining all the time? Do you trust others even if they have disappointed you, betrayed you and let you down? Did you learn to forgive?

Are you faithful in little things and do the work properly even if no one is watching/checking up on you? Do you mind your own business and complete your own work without interfering with others, or worrying about how they perform?

How do you make use of your time? Do you understand that time is a gift from God that must be used correctly?

Exercise:

Evaluate yourself by comparing yourself against the things you find described in this lesson. Which areas are easy for you and what do you need to work on?

Continue to memorise Bible verses:

Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matt. 28:18-20)