Sunday, 3/15/2026

Go Therefore and Make Disciples: Moving from Follower to Disciple

In a world where many people follow Jesus from a distance, there's a crucial distinction between being a mere follower and becoming a true disciple. This difference isn't just semantic—it's transformational and determines how we live out our faith daily.

What Does It Mean to Be a Disciple?

A disciple is simply defined as a follower or student of a teacher. Since Jesus was called "teacher" at least 45 times in Scripture, and the word "disciple" appears 261-293 times depending on your Bible translation, it's clear that discipleship is central to the Christian faith.

But here's the key insight: in order to make disciples, we must first be disciples ourselves. You cannot give what you do not possess.

Are You Just a Follower or a True Disciple?

The Gospels reveal that while multitudes followed Jesus, not all were disciples. Many followed Him to see what miraculous thing He would do next—opening deaf ears, healing lepers, giving sight to the blind. But when following Jesus became difficult, many disciples "walked away and followed Him no more."

This raises a challenging question: How hard would it have to get for you to turn away from following Christ? Or have you determined in your heart that no matter how difficult it becomes, you will follow Him anyway?

The Great Commission: Our Calling to Make Disciples

In Matthew 28:18-20, Jesus gives us the Great Commission: "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

Notice that Jesus doesn't just say "make converts" or "get people saved." He specifically commands us to make disciples—people who will learn, grow, and apply His teachings in their daily lives.

Three Essential Elements of Discipleship

Jesus outlined three non-negotiable elements for anyone who wants to be His disciple in Matthew 16:24-25:

1. Deny Yourself

Denying yourself means putting God's will above your own. It involves:

• Surrendering your pride and selfishness

• Dying to self-centered desires

• Following Christ's example of serving others

• Reordering worldly priorities

This doesn't mean having no desires, but rather asking God to replace selfish desires with His desires for your life.

2. Take Up Your Cross

Taking up your cross daily involves:

• Dying to sin

• Embracing hardships rather than complaining about them

• Enduring life's struggles without turning away from God

• Making a conscious daily choice to follow Jesus

Instead of asking "Why is this happening to me?" try asking "What do You want me to learn from this, Lord?"

3. Follow Him

Following Jesus is not a one-time event but a daily choice. It requires:

• Ongoing surrender

• Daily commitment to His lordship

• Consistent application of His teachings

• Growing closer to Him through hardships

How to Apply These Principles

Make Others Your Focus

Philippians 2:3-4 challenges us: "Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for your own interests, but also for the interests of others."

Offer Comfort to Others

Second Corinthians 1:3-4 reminds us that God "comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God." Your past struggles may be preparation for comforting someone else in the future.

Be Generous

Scripture teaches that "he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully" (2 Corinthians 9:6). God loves a cheerful giver and promises to provide all sufficiency for those who give generously.

Resist Temptation

Jesus warned us to "watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak" (Matthew 26:41). We must rely on the Holy Spirit's strength to resist the temptations that surround us daily.

The Growth Process

Discipleship is an ongoing, gradual, incremental, lifelong process. Spiritual growth isn't about how much you know—it's based on how much you practice and obey. It requires:

• Choice: God won't force you to grow

• Commitment: Following through on your decision to grow

• Relationship: It's not about rules or rituals, but about being with Jesus daily

Remember James 4:8: "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you." Notice who moves first—we do. We must take the initiative to draw close to Him.

Life Application

This week, commit to moving from being just a follower to becoming a true disciple of Jesus. Don't just absorb information like a sponge—apply what you're learning. Pick up your cross daily and make a conscious choice to follow Him, regardless of the circumstances you face.

Ask yourself these questions:

• Am I truly a disciple of Christ, or just a follower?

• What is one specific thing I can do this week to grow as a disciple?

• How can I make others my focus in my daily decisions?

• What areas of my life need to be surrendered to God's will?

Remember, spiritual growth is a choice and a commitment. It's about relationship, not rules. Draw close to God this week, and watch Him draw close to you.